FLORENCE, Ala. (May 1, 2026) — The University of North Alabama baseball took game one of a three-game in seven innings against Bellarmine, 13-3, at Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independent Stadium.
Sophomore Petey Craska had three home runs in tonight's game — the most in a game during the Division I era and tied the most all-time, last accomplished in 2003 by Casey Miller. Craska tied Dylan Coleman for the most RBIs in a game this season, and in Division I history, with six.
Senior right-handed pitcher Justus Agosto had a career-high eight strikeouts. This tied Gavin Oswald and Luke Davenport for the most in a single game this season. This showing surpassed his seven strikeouts that he set against Miami (OH) in 2023 where he was awarded the win while he tossed seven strikeouts.
North Alabama (24-20, 15-7 ASUN) tied for their most wins in a season at the Division I level, which was set last year after their final win in the ASUN Tournament after the 14-11 win against North Florida. The Lions now own 24 wins through only 44 games this season, with 10 games left to be played.
This is the fifth straight win for UNA with all five wins seeing the Lions score in double figures with two mercy rules. After tonight, this is five straight games with double-digit hits with back-to-back 15 hit games.
North Alabama now owns 20 multi-home run games this season while this one marks their fifth with four or more in a game thanks to the three from Craska and Wes Walker's 12th of the season. UNA now moves to 71 on the season, and after Craska's ninth of the year, are inching towards having a fourth member of the double-digit home run club.
Bellarmine (17-27, 9-13 ASUN) was held hitless by Agosto for three innings. The third best hitting team in the ASUN were held to just six hits and a .222 average. Agosto and Gavin Oswald combined to hold the best slugger in the ASUN, AJ Swader, to an 0-for-4 outing.
After North Alabama out-hit Bellarmine by nine tonight, the team moved to 15-3 in such circumstances. A perfect 12-0 record when scoring 10 or more runs in a game and now 17-3 when UNA hits two or more home runs in a game.
Five Lions had a multi-hit game in Jackson Westmoreland, Will Millard, Tyler LePage, Craska and Walker to help create the 15 hits. This was the third-best game for batting average with a .455, which trails only UT Martin and Saint Louis.
The more the bases filled, the better the Lions got on Friday. The team hit .455 with two outs, .526 with runners on, .545 with runners in scoring position and .571 in lead off opportunities.
Craska led the way with six RBIs and is one of three to have multiple RBIs in the game alongside Walker (3) and Millard (2). Craska, Walker, LePage and Dylan Coleman each had three runs in tonight's game.
Agosto was masterful through five innings with his eight strikeouts. He struck out at least one Knight every inning he was on the mound. He grew as the night went on with one strikeout in the first, two in the second, and struck out all three batters faced in the third.
His partner, Oswald, came in to finish the final two innings for the run rule win. He allowed only two hits while he sat down two more to finish out the night.
Pitchers of Record
W – Justus Agosto (2-3)
L – Connor Sims (0-3)
S – N/A
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama can win the series tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
