2024 North Alabama Lions baseball team

{{Short description|Intercollegiate baseball season}}

{{refimprove|date=February 2024}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox NCAA team season

|mode = baseball

|year = 2024

|team = North Alabama Lions

|logo = North Alabama Athletics wordmark.svg

|logo_size = 200

|logo_alt =

|conference = Atlantic Sun Conference

|short_conf = ASUN

|CoachRank =

|CBRank =

|record = 17–31

|conf_record = 9–17

|head_coach = Jad Prachniak

|hc_year = 2nd

|asst_coach1 = Chris Blakey

|ac1_year = 3rd

|asst_coach2 = Nick Patton

|ac2_year = 2nd

|asst_coach3 = David Mervis

|ac3_year = 2nd

|hit_coach =

|htc_year =

|pitch_coach =

|pc_year =

|mvp =

|mvp_year =

|mvp2 =

|mvp2_year =

|captain =

|captain_year =

|captain2 =

|captain2_year =

|captain3 =

|captain3_year =

|captain4 =

|captain4_year =

|stadium = Mike D. Lane Field

|champion =

|bowl =

|bowl_result =

}}

{{2024 ASUN Conference baseball standings}}

The 2024 North Alabama Lions baseball team represented the University of North Alabama during the 2024 NCAA Division I baseball season. They were led by head coach Jad Prachniak, in his 2nd season at UNA. The Lions played their home games at Mike D. Lane Field as a members of the Atlantic Sun Conference.

This was the Lions' last season at Mike D. Lane Field as it was demolished to make room for their new stadium, Bank Independent Stadium.{{cite news |last=Glovach|first=David|date=May 13, 2024 |title=For UNA, final days of baseball stadium 'bittersweet' but necessary

|url=https://www.timesdaily.com/sports/for-una-final-days-of-baseball-stadium-bittersweet-but-necessary/article_c2e8fdfc-1008-11ef-94af-abd1f67db6ff.html|work=TimesDaily |location=Florence |access-date=October 28, 2024}}

Previous season

The 2023 team finished the season with a 14–37 record and a 8–22 record in ASUN play. They finished 13th in conference standings after a tiebreaker put UNA ahead of Bellarmine.{{cite web|url=https://www.roarlions.com/sports/baseball/schedule/2023|title=2023 Baseball Schedule|publisher=UNA Athletics|access-date=March 4, 2024}} {{cite web|url=https://asunsports.org/standings.aspx?standings=12|title=2023 Baseball Standings|publisher=Atlantic Sun Conference|access-date=March 4, 2024}}

Preseason

=Preseason ASUN honors=

First baseman Kyle Machado was selected to the Preseason All-ASUN Team. He was the only North Alabama player selected to the fourteen person team.{{cite web |title=Lipscomb Tops ASUN Baseball Preseason Poll|url=https://asunsports.org/news/2024/1/14/bsb-2024-preseason-allasun.aspx|website=Atlantic Sun Conference |publisher=asunsports.org|access-date=May 12, 2024 |date=February 8, 2024}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

| colspan="5" style= "{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}"| Preseason All-ASUN Team

style="width:150px; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}" | Player

! style="width:60px; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}" | No.

! style="width:60px; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}" | Position

! style="width:150px; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}" | Class

Kyle Machado51BGraduate Student

= Coaches poll =

The ASUN baseball coaches' poll was released on February 8, 2024.

class="wikitable" style="width: 30%;text-align: center;"

|+ style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white}} | ASUN Preseason Coaches' Poll

align="center"

{{CollegeSecondaryHeader|team=North Alabama Lions|color=white|Predicted
finish|Team|Points}}

1Lipscomb137 (7)
2FGCU123 (2)
3Jacksonville115 (1)
4Stetson103
5Kennesaw State99 (1)
6Austin Peay84 (1)
7EKU77
8Central Arkansas65
9North Florida56
10Queens30
11North Alabama25
12Bellarmine22

{{clear}}

Personnel

class="toccolours" style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%;"
colspan=9 style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white}}"|2024 North Alabama Lions roster
width="03"| 

|valign="top"|

Pitchers

  • 7 – Carson Howard – Junior
  • 10 – Jacob James – Senior
  • 11 – Quinn Petty – Junior
  • 15 – Jacob Bradshaw – Senior
  • 18 – Avery Brown – Sophomore
  • 19 – Dane Sykes – Senior
  • 21 – Justus Agosto – File: Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 22 – Brycen Parrish – File: Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 23 – Evan Kingma – Senior
  • 24 – Kevin Henrich – Sophomore
  • 25 – Bryce Richter – Graduate
  • 27 – Anthony Pingeton – Junior
  • 29 – Justin Battle – Sophomore
  • 31 – Raleigh Claunch – File:Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 33 – Josh Bowerman - Sophomore
  • 45 – Josh Allen Stogner – Junior
  • 48 – David Burton – Junior
  • 51 – Caleb Menina – Sophomore

|width="15"| 

|valign="top"|

Catchers

  • 12 – Levi Jensen – Senior
  • 14 – Andrew Knight – Graduate
  • 28 – Andin Johnson – File: Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 40 – Charlie Cochran – Sophomore

Infielders

  • 2 – Leighton Jenkins – Junior
  • 4 – Gehrig Frei – File: Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 5 – Kyle Machado – Graduate
  • 9 – Jackson Ferrigno – File: Redshirt.svg Sophomore
  • 17 – Cal Cook – Senior
  • 30 – Zak Majer – Senior
  • 34 – Bryant Loving – Freshman
  • 36 – Braden Ebeling – Freshman
  • 37 – Ryan West – Junior
  • 44 – Brady Moore – File: Redshirt.svg Junior

|width="15"| 

| valign="top" |

Outfielders

  • 3 – Brant Brown – File: Redshirt.svg Junior
  • 8 – Jonathan Lane – Junior
  • 13 – Dominick McIntyre – Senior
  • 16 – Ethan Walker – Sophomore
  • 20 – Jackson Cheek – Sophomore
  • 35 – Alex Wilson – Junior

|width="25"| 

=Coaching Staff=

class="wikitable" border="1" style="font-size:90%;"
NamePositionSeasons at
North Alabama
Alma Mater
Jad PrachniakHead Coachalign=center| 2University of Rhode Island (2005)
Chris BlakeyAssociate Head Coachalign=center| 3University of North Alabama (2018)
Nick PattenAssistant Baseball Coach / Hitting Coachalign=center| 2University of Delaware (2021)
David MervisAssistant Baseball Coach / Pitching Coachalign=center| 2University of Delaware (2021)

Source:{{cite web|url=https://roarlions.com/sports/baseball/roster|title=2024 Baseball Roster|publisher=UNA Athletics|access-date=February 20, 2024}}

Schedule and results

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
colspan="2"|Legend
bgcolor="#ddffdd"| North Alabama win
bgcolor="#ffdddd"| North Alabama loss
bgcolor="#bbbbbb"| Postponement/Cancellation/Suspensions
BoldNorth Alabama team member

class="toccolours" width=95% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
colspan=2 style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white}}" | 2024 North Alabama Lions baseball game log
colspan=2 style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white}}" | Regular season
valign="top"

|

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="margin:auto; width:100%; text-align:center; font-size:95%"

! colspan=12 style="padding-left:4em;{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions}}" | February

Date

! Opponent

! Rank

! Site/stadium

! Score

! Win

! Loss

! Save

! TV

! Attendance

! Overall record

! ASUN record

align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|February 16

at South AlabamaEddie Stanky Field
Mobile, AL
L 2–3Gant StarlingBrycen ParrishN/AESPN+1,2140–10–0
align="center" bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|February 17

Southern IndianaEddie Stanky FieldW 13–7Carson HowardGavin WilsonN/AESPN+6541–10–0
align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|February 18

LamarEddie Stanky FieldL 1–9Hunter HesseltineKevin HenrichN/AESPN+8561–20–0
align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|February 20

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Belmont Bruins|title=Belmont}}Mike D. Lane FieldL 2-6Joe RuzickaCaleb MeninaN/AESPN+1521-30-0
align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|February 23

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Morehead State Eagles|title=Morehead State}}Mike D. Lane FieldL 2–5Luke HeltonJacob BradshawN/AESPN+2031-40-0
align="center" bgcolor="#ddffdd"

|February 24

Morehead StateMike D. Lane FieldW 9–6Jacob JamesGrant HerronDane SykesESPN+2152-40-0
align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|February 25

Morehead StateMike D. Lane FieldL 9–13Will GrimmettJustus AgostoN/AESPN+2652-50-0
align="center" bgcolor="#ffdddd"

|February 27

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Murray State Racers|title=Murray State}}Roy Stewart StadiumL 1-8Ethan LykeDane SykesN/AESPN+1372-60-0

|-

|

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="margin:auto; width:100%; text-align:center; font-size:95%"

! colspan=12 style="padding-left:4em;{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions}}" | March

Date

! Opponent

! Rank

! Site/stadium

! Score

! Win

! Loss

! Save

! TV

! Attendance

! Overall record

! ASUN record

align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|March 2

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=UAB Blazers|title=UAB}}Mike D. Lane FieldW 9–8Anthony PingetonBraxton BrooksN/AESPN+2723–60–0
align="center" bgcolor= "ffdddd"

|March 2

UABMike D. Lane FieldL 8–10Brooks HouseJustin BattleChristian ClackESPN+3173–70–0
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|March 3

UABMike D. Lane FieldL 3–8Colin DanielsKevin HenrichN/AESPN+2523–80–0
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|March 7

Murray StateMike D. Lane FieldL 6–11Ethan LykeJohn Allen StognerN/AESPN+2073–90–0
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|March 9

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=UT Martin Skyhawks|title=UT Martin}}Mike D. Lane FieldW 10–07Jacob JamesTristan WaltonN/AESPN+2324–90–0
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|March 10

UT MartinMike D. Lane FieldW 3–17Jacob BradshawEric SteensmaBrycen ParrishESPN+1915–90–0
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|March 10

UT MartinMike D. Lane FieldW 5–2Anthony PingetonChoyce DiffeyCaleb MeninaESPN+2256–90–0
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|March 12

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Memphis Tigers|title=Memphis}}FedExParkL 2–167Cade DavisJohn Allen StognerN/AESPN+5976–100–0
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|March 16

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Kennesaw State Owls|title=Kennesaw State}}Toyota Field{{cite web |url=https://whnt.com/sports/university-of-north-alabama/una-moving-atlantic-sun-conference-opener-to-toyota-field-this-weekend/ |title=UNA moving Atlantic Sun Conference opener to Toyota Field this weekend |last=Mitchell |first=Taylor |date=13 March 2024 |website=WHNT |access-date=2 May 2024}}L 5–10Nolan SilverBrycen ParrishN/A4226–110–1
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|March 16

Kennesaw StateToyota FieldL 1–117Blake AitaJacob BradshawN/A4896–120–2
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|March 17

Kennesaw StateToyota FieldW 4–2Dane SykesSmith PinsonN/A3887–121–2
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|March 19

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles|title=Tennessee Tech}}Howell Bush StadiumW 8–4John Allen StognerReece McDuffieCarson HowardESPN+1758–121–2
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|March 22

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Eastern Kentucky Colonels|title=Eastern Kentucky}}Turkey Hughes FieldL 0–107Nathan LawsonJacob JamesN/AESPN+1018–131–3
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|March 23

at Eastern KentuckyTurkey Hughes FieldL 5–6Joe ClancyBrycen ParrishGarrett LangrellESPN+1018–141–4
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|March 24

at Eastern KentuckyTurkey Hughes FieldL 1–5Rese BrownAnthony PingetonGarrett LangrellESPN+1508–151–5
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|March 28

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Lipscomb Bisons|title=Lipscomb}}Mike D. Lane FieldL 2–8Alex BrewerJacob JamesN/AESPN+3858–161–6
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|March 29

LipscombMike D. Lane FieldW 5–3Caleb MeninaChandler GilesDane SykesESPN+1149–162–6
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|March 30

LipscombMike D. Lane FieldL 2–157Jake PoindexterAnthony PingetonN/AESPN+1419–172–7

|-

|

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="margin:auto; width:100%; text-align:center; font-size:95%"

! colspan=12 style="padding-left:4em;{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions}}" | April

Date

! Opponent

! Rank

! Site/stadium

! Score

! Win

! Loss

! Save

! TV

! Attendance

! Overall record

! ASUN record

align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|April 3

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Alabama A&M Bulldogs|title=Alabama A&M}}Mike D. Lane FieldW 13–5John Allen StognerGabe NicholsonN/AESPN+11510–172–7
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|April 5

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Jacksonville Dolphins|title=Jacksonville}}John Sessions StadiumW 9–1Jacob JamesPe PrescottN/A37111–173–7
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 6

at JacksonvilleJohn Sessions StadiumL 2–9Logan JonesDane SykesN/A38811–183–8
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 7

at JacksonvilleJohn Sessions StadiumL 4–510Is WilliamsBrycen ParrishN/AESPN+30211–193–9
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|April 13

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Bellarmine Knights|title=Bellarmine}}Knights FieldW 15–27Jacob JamesSam MatherlyN/AESPN+12512–94–9
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 13

at BellarmineKnights FieldL 11–12Nolan PenderCaleb MeninaN/AESPN+12512–104–10
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|April 14

at BellarmineKnights FieldW 22–37Anthony PingetonThomas SylvesterN/AESPN+12513–105–10
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 16

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Belmont Bruins|title=Belmont}}E. S. Rose ParkL 9–15Caleb GuisewiteJohn Allen StognerN/AESPN+12313–115–10
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 19

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Stetson Hatters|title=Stetson}}Mike D. Lane FieldL 4–8Anthony DeFabbiaJacob JamesZane Coppersmith36813–125–11
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|April 20

StetsonMike D. Lane FieldW 5–4Jacob BradshawAric McAteeDane Sykes27414–126–11
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 21

StetsonMike D. Lane FieldL 1–4Daniel ParetAnthony PingetonCole Stallings37214–136–12
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 23

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Ole Miss Rebels|title=Ole Miss}}Swayze FieldL 4–9Grayson SaunierJohn Allen StognerN/ASECN+12,99614–146–12
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 26

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Central Arkansas Bears|title=Central Arkansas}}Mike D. Lane FieldL 4–9Jess BarkerJacob JamesH. AlexanderESPN+36414–156–13
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 27

Central ArkansasMike D. Lane FieldL 4–148P. ChristensenJacob BradshawN/AESPN+38514–166–14
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 28

Central ArkansasMike D. Lane FieldL 3–6Cole MacraeAnthony PingetonH. AlexanderESPN+39314–176–15
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|April 30

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders|title=Middle Tennessee}}Reese Smith Jr. FieldL 2–9Dylan AlonsoJohn Allen StognerJustin LeeESPN+79614–186–15

|-

|

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="margin:auto; width:100%; text-align:center; font-size:95%"

! colspan=12 style="padding-left:4em;{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions}}" | May

Date

! Opponent

! Rank

! Site/stadium

! Score

! Win

! Loss

! Save

! TV

! Attendance

! Overall record

! ASUN record

align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|May 1

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Samford Bulldogs|title=Samford}}Mike D. Lane FieldL 10–19Cole FrymanJustin BattleN/AESPN+22414–196–15
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|May 3

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Queens Royals|title=Queens}}Stick Williams Dream Baseball FieldW 11-7Jacob JamesLandry JureckaBrycen ParrishESPN+7515–297–15
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|May 3

at QueensStick Williams Dream Baseball FieldW 8–2Dane SykesCarson MagillN/AESPN+8016–298–15
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|May 5

at QueensStick Williams Dream Baseball FieldL 8–13Johnny JosephAnthony PingetonIsaiah BennettESPN+7216–308–16
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|May 7

at SamfordJoe Lee Griffin StadiumL 3–12Miller RigginsJohn Allen StognerN/A13316–318–16
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|May 10

{{CBSB link|year=2024|team=North Florida Ospreys|title=North Florida}}Mike D. Lane FieldL 4–3Jordan WimpelbergJacob JamesZane Starling31716–328–17
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|May 11

North FloridaMike D. Lane FieldW 4–2Jacob BradshawTony RocaDane Sykes74117–329–17
align="center" bgcolor=

|May 12

North FloridaMike D. Lane FieldTie 4–413*N/AN/AN/A36717–32–19–17–1
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|May 14

at Mississippi StateDudy Noble FieldL 4–8Cam SchuelkeCarson HowardN/ASECN+9,34917–33–19–17–1
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|May 16

at {{CBSB link|year=2024|team=Austin Peay Governors|title=Austin Peay}}Raymond C. Hand ParkL 13–27Jacob WeaverJacob JamesN/AESPN+78317–34–19–18–1
align="center" bgcolor="ffdddd"

|May 17

at Austin PeayRaymond C. Hand ParkL 3–8Josh HowittJacob BradshawN/AESPN+58317–35–19–19–1
align="center" bgcolor="ddffdd"

|May 18

at Austin PeayRaymond C. Hand ParkW 14–13Brycen ParrishDeaton OakJacob JamesESPN+60618–35–110–19–1

|}

Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.roarlions.com/sports/baseball/schedule|title=2024 Baseball Schedule|publisher=UNA Athletics|access-date=March 4, 2024}}

{{Asterisk}} The May 12 game against North Florida ended in a tie at the end of the 13th inning as the game reached the travel curfew for the away team{{cite web |last1=Cohan |first1=Max |title=UNA Baseball ends senior day in historic draw with North Florida, 4-4 |url=https://www.waaytv.com/news/una-baseball-ends-senior-day-in-historic-draw-with-north-florida-4-4/article_866c41b6-10b9-11ef-9fc2-637d89ae2426.html |website=waaytv.com |publisher=WAAY 31 |access-date=14 May 2024 |date=12 May 2024}}{{Cite tweet |user=UNABaseball|number=1789757946026496260 |title=Due to a travel curfew for North Florida, today's game has ended in a tie. We are back in action on Tuesday at Mississippi State}}

Records broken

Jacob James broke the school's all-time strikeout record in the third to last game of the season against Austin Peay. In the second-inning, James threw career strikeout No. 281 which put him in sole possession of the record. The previous record holder was Chad Boughner, who had 280 career strikeouts at North Alabama.{{cite news |last=Glovach|first=David|date=May 21, 2024 |title=For James, UNA strikeout record 'definitely earned'

|url=https://www.timesdaily.com/sports/for-james-una-strikeout-record-definitely-earned/article_4da1fcf6-1706-11ef-9aaa-7b1dcf62485e.html|work=TimesDaily |location=Florence |access-date=October 28, 2024}} James would finish the season with 284 career strikeouts.

Postseason honors

Two North Alabama Lions were selected for postseason ASUN honors.{{cite web |title=2024 Baseball Postseason Honors Announced|url=https://asunsports.org/news/2024/5/19/2024-bsb-all-asun.aspx|website=Atlantic Sun Conference |publisher=asunsports.org|access-date=October 28, 2024 |date=May 20, 2024}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

| colspan="5" style= "{{CollegePrimaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}"| Third Team All-ASUN

style="width:150px; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}" | Player

! style="width:60px; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}" | No.

! style="width:60px; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}" | Position

! style="width:150px; {{CollegeSecondaryStyle|North Alabama Lions|color=white|border=no}}" | Class

Gehrig Frei43BFile: Redshirt.svg Sophomore
Jacob James10PSenior

References