CONWAY, Ark. (May 8, 2026) — The University of North Alabama baseball team fell in the opening game of a three-game series at Central Arkansas, 11-6, at Bear Stadium in Conway, Ark.
After Lipscomb's win last night, North Alabama, Central Arkansas and the Bisons are all tied in first place of the Atlantic Sun Conference Gold Division with 15 wins.
North Alabama (24-24, 15-10 ASUN) was led by senior designated hitter Dylan Coleman who had four hits with one being a double in the ninth inning to put the Lions in scoring position.
Central Arkansas (28-22, 15-10 ASUN) broke the 5-5 tie in bottom of the eighth with a six-run inning. With a one run advantage, UCA laid down a safety squeeze that Petey Craska tried to get over the runner to home plate. After some questions of if the ball remained fair, both runners were deemed safe which opened up scoring for Central Arkansas.
The Lion pitching staff had eight strikeouts with the lead man, Justus Agosto, returning with six strikeouts alone. This followed up his career night last Friday against Bellarmine that saw eight strikeouts from the right-handed senior.
After Agosto, Gavin Oswald threw the next 2.1 innings with a strikeout. With the Lions trying to close the game and two runners on the bags, Luke Davenport got the call from the bullpen. After him, Justin Battle filled in to complete the game as he threw one final strikeout.
UNA used a three-run seventh inning to tie the game thanks to a Jackson Westmoreland sacrifice fly, Craska RBI single and then another RBI single from Nash Rippen.
The Lions faced two of the top-three pitchers for ERA in the ASUN in starter Denver Hamilton (3.00) and reliever Hunter Alexander (2.55). In total, the Lions had 13 hits for a .361 average against the two Bears.
However, the pair of pitchers only walked UNA batters twice today — the lowest total for North Alabama since the April 7 loss to UT Martin, 6-5, in Florence.
All but two batters in the starting lineup recorded a hit with Bryant Loving only having two at-bats that saw sacrifice bunts laid down — the most for a Lion in a game this season. Craska was the lone other Lion to have multiple hits in the afternoon contest.
Craska and Tyler LePage both plated twice to lead UNA in that metric with Justin Santoyo and pinch hitter Ryan West being the two that recorded one each.
Pitchers of Record
W – Hunter Alexander (6-2)
L – Gavin Oswald (6-3)
S – N/A
COMING UP NEXT
North Alabama will look to split the series tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Bear Stadium.
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
