North Alabama Baseball’s Winning Streak Continues
On May 15, 2026, the University of North Alabama (UNA) baseball team celebrated a significant victory against Austin Peay, winning 6-1 at Bank Independent Stadium. This win marks the team’s seventh series win of the season, repeating the success of last year.
Sophomore pitcher Tripp Patterson was a standout. He delivered six scoreless innings, striking out five batters and showing impressive command, particularly in the first inning, where he struck out three in a row. This performance adds to his growing reputation, as it was his sixth quality start this season.
For long stretches, Austin Peay struggled to make contact. UNA pitchers, including Kelly Crumpton and Luke Davenport, contributed to a combined 12 strikeouts. This stellar pitching performance was the second highest this season for the Lions.
The outfield also shone bright, with players making ten fly ball catches and Nash Rippen making a stunning catch on “Mike’s Mountain.”
Offensively, UNA tallied ten hits, matching their recent trend of strong batting. They hit .333 for the night, with lead-off batters performing particularly well, reaching a remarkable .750 average. Wes Walker and Will Millard each contributed two doubles, while Millard led the team with three hits and three RBIs.
Historical Context: Over the past two decades, college baseball has shown a notable rise in competitive balance. This season, UNA’s performance illustrates the increasing quality of the Atlantic Sun Conference, where teams often go toe-to-toe for top rankings.
Looking ahead, UNA has a chance to clinch the Atlantic Sun Conference Gold Division Championship with another win against Austin Peay. If they win, and Central Arkansas secures a victory, UNA will emerge as division champions.
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