FLORENCE, Ala. (April 2, 2026) — The University of North Alabama baseball team opened its Central Arkansas series with a 4-3 win at Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independent Stadium on Thursday.
North Alabama (13-16, 6-4 ASUN) amassed five hits for the game to churn out four scores for the lead. Third baseman Justin Santoyo hit a two-run home run in the fourth which became the deciding factor.
The Lions now own a five-game winning streak over the Bears. This dates back to the first series between the two in 2025 where Leighton Jenkins walked off UCA on Sunday, March 16, 2025 in Birmingham, Ala. at Young Memorial Field.
Central Arkansas (14-16, 4-6 ASUN) threatened late with a base runner on third; however Gavin Oswald closed the game with a Nathan Negre strikeout for the win.
The Lions were led by the pitching trio of senior Justus Agosto, Justin Battle and Oswald. Agosto allowed three hits and threw five strikeouts in his 4.1 innings of work for his first start of 2026.
These three pitchers held the Bears' two best hitters, Zeb Allen and Negre, to a combined 0-for-6 with five strikeouts for the contest.
Battle claimed the mound in the fifth where he finished with one hit and three strikeouts; he eventually claimed his first win of the season. Oswald earned the save after his 2.0 innings pitched with two strikeouts and one hit allowed.
The trio limited the Bears to five hits in total, tied for UCA's sixth-worst hitting night of the season; this ties the Arkansas and Oklahoma State games for Central Arkansas.
Petey Craska, Dylan Coleman, Wes Walker, Leighton Jenkins and Santoyo combined for the five hits. Jenkins, Santoyo, Walker and Jackson Westmoreland each plated a run in the Thursday night action.
As the sun started to set in the night sky behind the press box, Agosto footed the mound as a starter for the first time this season.
The senior right-hander worked quickly striking out the first two and getting a third batter to pop up to Westmoreland.
The second inning looked different after a two-run home run gave UCA the early lead. However, Agosto worked the next three Bears for outs to close the inning.
Jenkins started to get a roll on for UNA in the bottom of the third with a third pitch double into the gap of left center.
Westmoreland used a nine-pitch at-bat to create the walk, but ball four skated past the catcher which gave Jenkins third base.
Craska then pushed a hard ground ball down the first base line which led to an RBI and Westmoreland at second.
Coleman faced a left-sided shift where he then operated through the right side past a diving second baseman, which gave the Lions the 2-2 tie.
UNA stacked the fourth inning on top of the third as Walker walked from a full count.
Santoyo dug in the deep part of the left box as he readied for his appearance. He took the fifth pitch of the at-bat with a straight shot to right field.
The right fielder tracked it all the way to the wall, made the leap and watched the ball ricochet off the light pole behind the fence. The two-run shot put the Lions up 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth.
As the fifth inning came, the lead-off Bear walked before the next was hit. Quickly, Battle took the mound.
The senior pitcher worked the first batter for a line out to Bryant loving. Then Will Millard caught the lead runner at third for the second out. Loving cleaned up the third out in center to end the inning.
North Alabama kept the Bears at bay for five innings before a fielder's choice led to a run in the eighth inning.
After Oswald closed the eighth, he took the mound in the ninth.
UCA opened with a single through the right side of the infield. A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second, one out.
The next batter walked to put two Bears on, the tying run at second.
Allen hit a ground ball to second, where Westmoreland pitched to Jenkins for the second out. Jenkins nearly tried for the double play to end the game, but opted to not force the play.
Last up to the plate was Negre. Two outs, runners on the corners.
Offensive timeout, UCA.
Then a mound visit, UNA.
As Oswald toed the rubber again, Allen got halfway between first and second — trying to force a rundown situation.
Oswald did not bite — strike one, then strike two.
Allen elected to dance halfway again. Oswald stepped off this time, pump faked towards second before eyeing the runner on third to hold him.
Next pitch, outside ball.
Fans from left to right started to rise. Clapping in unison, waiting in anticipation.
Oswald came together. Eyes only on the plate. Sent it to home. Negre swing, strike three flashed by the umpire.
The crowd erupted as the team swallowed up Oswald at the mound for the emphatic win.
Pitchers of Record
W – Justin Battle (1-0)
L – Patrick Fernandez (1-4)
S – Gavin Oswald (1)
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama looks to take the series at 4 p.m. tomorrow.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
