Box Score

FLORENCE, Ala. – Eastern Kentucky University overcame an early 3-0 deficit but couldn't hold off North Alabama in a 6-4 loss on Friday.
 
North Alabama jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.  However, the Colonels slowly whittled away at the deficit, scratching out one run each in the third, fourth and fifth innings.
 
While the offense was working to tie up the game, EKU starter Ryker Walton retired seven straight batters in the second, third and fourth innings.
 
AJ Groeneveld started the third with a double to right center and then scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly from Diego Alana to get the Colonels on the board.  With runners at second and third in the fourth inning, a ground ball off the bat of Greg Caban made it a 3-2 game.  Alana drove in another run in the fifth to tie the game, platting Elijah Underhill on a sacrifice bunt.
 
The Lions (19-28, 12-13 ASUN) broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth.  RJ Sherwood started the inning by being hit by a pitch, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, reached third on a ground out and then scored on a bunt and an error.
 
UNA scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to pull back in front by three. 
 
Silas Shaffer hit a home run to start the eight for the Colonels (10-40, 7-18 ASUN).
 
Groeneveld finished 2-for-4 with a run.  Alana drove in a pair.  Walton allowed four runs, three of which were earned on seven hits in six innings.  He struck out a season-best eight batters. 
 
Sherwood had a 2-for-3 game with a run and two RBIs for the Lions.
 
Game two of the series is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Saturday.