FLORENCE, Ala. (April 7, 2026) — The University of North Alabama baseball dropped their first game to UT Martin since 2022 by a 6-5 decision on Tuesday at Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independent Stadium.
North Alabama (14-18, 7-5 ASUN) had a ninth inning surge thanks to Gio Lonero, Cayden Sheffield and Petey Craska. The captain, Craska, hit a three-run shot that bounced and trickled over the right field wall to pull within one.
This breaks up a seven-game win streak over the Skyhawks for the Lions.
UT Martin (16-16, 3-6 OVC) beat the Lions for the first time since 2022 and earn just their third win in Florence since 2019. The Skyhawks stole four bags in today's game to put runners in scoring position — UTM hit 4-for-4 with runners on third and less than two outs.
The Lions had seven hits as Will Millard led the way with his 2-for-3 afternoon. The catcher plated a run and hit two doubles in the midweek.
Three other starters — Leighton Jenkins, Bryant Loving and Craska — notched a hit. In the ninth inning, Lonero and Sheffield stepped in for pinch hit appearances as they both tallied a hit.
UNA had the game-tying run on the base path for each of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings but failed to cross him home.
The ninth inning right center single came in Lonero's second at-bat in his career and became his first collegiate base hit.
Sheffield's double hit the top of the right center wall, centimeters away from a home run, to jump back into play to give Craska the chance to operate.
Jake Boynar earned the midweek start, going 4.0 innings with a strikeout in 18 batters faced. John Allen Stogner went 1.2 innings and did not allow a run during his time.
As Justin Battle came in during the sixth inning, a Skyhawk assumed third base. Battle worked out of it with inning ending strikeout before finishing the next inning in the same fashion.
Luke Davenport and Josh Bowerman helped close the game for the Lions in the eighth and ninth innings.
Pitchers of Record
W – Brandon King (3-3)
L – Jake Boynar (0-3)
S – Gabe Bryant (2)
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama travels to Austin Peay this weekend for a series at Joe Maynard Field at Raymond C. Hand Park on Friday, April 10 at 6 p.m. in Clarksville, Tenn.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
