THE OFFICIAL ATHLETICS SITE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA LIONS

The 1999 UNA Lions (above) went 45-12, winning the Gulf South Conference and NCAA Division II South Region Titles and advancing to the Division II World Series.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA BASEBALL HISTORY, through 2022
One  of the first sports at North Alabama, the baseball program has competed for 91 seasons, making 12 NCAA Tournament appearances while producing numerous professional athletes, including five Major Leaguers. 

The Early Years

The baseball program at UNA started in 1932 under coach Eddie Flowers, but it wasn't until Mike Lane arrived in 1984 that the Lions program reached national prominence.

Flowers was not only the first baseball coach for the Lions, but he was also the Athletic Director, a teacher for the physical education department, and the first basketball and tennis coach. His most successful year as the baseball coach came in his last season (1948) when the Lions went 15-3. His contributions to the University of North Alabama athletic program led to the naming of the school's basketball arena, which is Flowers Hall.

George Weeks was the baseball head coach from 1949-1971. Week's had numerous successful teams during his coaching career, including wins over Division I powers like the University of Alabama. From 1972-1975 the Lions were coached by Jackie Pedigo, Ricky Lindsey, and Mike Dean. Mike Knight was the head coach from 1976-1978. Gary Elliott coached the Lions to an 18-17 record in 1979. From 1980-1983 the Lions were led by Mike Galloway and had a record of 72-87.

Mike Lane Arrives

It was not until 1984, under Coach Mike Lane that the Lions became recognized as a standout in Division II and Gulf South Conference baseball. In 25 seasons, Lane's teams won 908 games, averaged 36 wins per season, won 40 games or more six times, won five Gulf South Conference championships and went to one Division II World Series.

Lane's success at UNA began during his first season when the Lions won their first Gulf South Conference baseball championship in school history. In 1985, the Lions finished 46-11-1 and were ranked 2nd in the nation. A 40-13-1 season in 1987 led the Lions to the second most wins in school history at that time. Another winning season for the Lions in 1988 led to a successful year in 1989 that resulted in a second GSC championship and put them back in the NCAA playoffs. In 1990, UNA was 37-9, which included wins over Division I schools Middle Tennessee State and Mississippi State. The Lions earned their fifth NCAA playoff berth in eight years during 1991. Another successful year came in 1992 when the Lions had their third straight appearance in the NCAA playoffs. UNA won the GSC title again in 1993 by defeating rival Jacksonville State 7-6 in the championship game. The Lions earned another bid to the playoffs and ended the regular season at No. 2 nationally. In 1994 and 1995 the Lions won the GSC East Division title and made another regional appearance in 1995. The Lions finished 1996 with a 37-11 record and 1997 at 40-15-1, winning a fourth Gulf South Conference championship and playing in their ninth NCAA regional tournament in 14 years. The Lions finished the 1998 season 38-12 and were 24-4 at home. Lane's most successful year came in 1999 when he led the Lions to their first Division II World Series in Montgomery after winning the GSC and Division II South Central Regional championships. UNA finished the season with a 45-12 record and finished in the championship tournament.

Five players under Lane have gone on to play Major League baseball. Cedric Landrum debuted in the majors with the Chicago Cubs and played for the New York Mets in 1993. Jim Czajkowshi made it to the majors to play with the Colorado Rockies in 1994. Terry Jones played for the Montreal Expos and Colorado Rockies during his five-year career in the Major League from 1996-2001. In 2004, Josh Willingham made his major league debut with the Florida Marlins and he had a break-out season as a starting outfielder for the Marlins in 2006, followed by impressive sesons in 2007 and 2008. He was traded to the Washington Nationals where he played in 2009 and 2010. He played for the Oakland A's in 2010 and has spent the last two seasons with the Minnesota Twins inAlso, former Lion pitcher Sergio Romo has played in the Major Leagues with the San Francisco Giants as a reliever for the last six years, including pitching on World Championship teams in 2010 and 2012.

Under Lane, 17 different Lions were selected All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association, and six Lions won NCAA statistical national championships. Most recently, James Barksdale earned All- American honors and led Division II in stolen bases in 2006.

Mike Keehn Takes the Helm

After serving as an assistant coach at UNA for 20 seasons under Mike Lane, Mike Keehn was named head coach of the Lions in 2009. In his 14 seasons as head coach, Keehn won 346 games, led UNA to six Gulf South Conference Tournament appearances, two NCAA playoff berths and through the four-year transition from Division II to NCAA Division I status.

Keehn is the second-winningest coach in UNA baseball history behind Lane.

Prachniak Arrives
Jad Prachniak became just the 12th head baseball coach in UNA history when he was hired following the 2022 season.