Jacksonville State University
North Alabama
Jax State and North Alabama Square Off in Florence on Tuesday
3/9/2026 7:18:00 PM | Baseball
Long time rivals set to square off for the first time since 2023
JACKSONVILLE — The Jax State baseball team kicks off the week with a midweek battle against North Alabama on Tuesday afternoon from the newly-constructed Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independent Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Jax State is 13-3 on the season, coming off of a sweep of the Valparaiso Beacons over the weekend. Jax State put up 33 runs in three games and held a team batting average of .440 in those three games. Both Grayson Ashe and Beau Bryans were named CUSA Hitter and Pitcher of the Week for their efforts. Ashe had nine RBI through the week, including going 3-3 for with six RBI in the first game of the DH vs. Valpo. Bryans had a quality start with 10 strikeouts to shut down the Beacons.
North Alabama is 7-9 after getting swept by then 11th-ranked Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Lions are coming in on a four-game losing streak, falling at Ole Miss prior to the series at Southern Miss.
Jax State currently holds a 74-16 record against UNA. The two met for the first time as Division I opponents in 2019, when the Lions began their elevation process. That series was Opening Weekend and the opening of Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium. Since both moved up to Division I, Jax State is 11-1 against the Lions. (Jax State moved up in 1995, UNA moved up in 2019). Jax State dominated the Lions when both programs were members of the Gulf South Conference in their Division II days, posting a 63-15 record against UNA.
Jax State is climbing the national rankings in several statistics. The Gamecocks are currently fifth in double plays turned with 17, 15th in team ERA at 3.13, 17th in team stolen bases with 39, 26th in team WHIP at 1.19, and 37th in strikeouts-per-nine-innings at 10.8
Right-handed pitcher Brady Thomas will get the start on the mound tomorrow, while UNA will send out righty Jake Boynar.
There will not be an ESPN+ stream tomorrow. Fans are encouraged to listen via radio or keep up with live stats.
