Top Ranked Lions Down Martin Methodist 7-3

After earning the first No. 1 national ranking in the program’s history earlier in the day, the University of North Alabama baseball team went on the road and defeated Martin Methodist 7-3 to improve to 24-7.

UNA is ranked No. 1 team in the NCAA Division II in the latest poll released Tuesday by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. It is the first No. 1 national ranking for a UNA baseball team in the program’s history.

The Lions are ranked No. 2 nationally by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and No. 3 in the nation in the College Baseball Lineup. UNA has been nationally ranked at some point in 26 of the last 28 seasons and has previously been ranked No. 2 in the nation in five different seasons (1985, 1989, 1993, 1998, 1999).

UNA built a 7-0 lead in the game as Chad Boughner pitched eight scoreless innings before Riley Sanderson allowed three runs in relief in the ninth. It was Boughner’s third straight appearance without allowing a run as he ran his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 22 1/3. The school record is 24.0 by Jim Czajkowki in 1986.

Boughner (5-2) allowed just four hits and two walks in eight innings while striking out five. Sanderson allowed three runs on three hits in one inning of relief.

UNA jumped on the Redhawks with three runs in the first inning, then got a solo home run from Michael Schmidt in the second to make it 4-0. Jake Sloan tripled and scored in the seventh and Andrew Almon singled and later scored to make it 6-0. The Lions added an insurance run in the ninth as Darrmal Moore singled, stole second and scored on a J.P. LaMunyon RBI single.

UNA out-hit Martin Methodist 14-to-7 in the game.

The Lions, 6-3 in Gulf South Conference play, travel to Valdosta State to take on the 7-2 Blazers Saturday and Sunday in a three-game series.

Courtesy UNA Media Relations