Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MEMPHIS-Visiting North Alabama swept a Gulf South Conference doubleheader from the Christian Brothers University Bucs Friday afternoon, winning the first game 15-2 and claiming a 2-0 win in the nightcap.

In the opener, the Lions (10-15, 4-10 GSC) used a nine-run fifth inning to blow open what had been a close game. Each team scored in the first inning, with UNA scoring on a walk, a wild pitch, a single and an error. The Bucs (5-16, 0-11) answered with a two-out rally in the bottom of the inning. Back-to-back singles by Mac Cooley (Bartlett, Tenn./Horn Lake HS) and Charles Kelly (Bartlett, Tenn./Bartlett HS) set up Justin Neal (Southaven, Miss./Southaven HS), who reached on an error that scored Cooley.

The Lions took the lead for good in the second inning with two runs on two hits, a walk, a hit batter and an error. The 3-1 margin held until the fifth inning, when the Lions blew it open with nine runs on six hits, a walk, a hit batter and two errors.

They scored two more in the sixth and one in the seventh to extend their lead to 15-1. The Bucs set the final margin with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Back-to-back singles by Stephen Joe (Madison, Miss./Ridgeland HS) and Cooley set up a two-out RBI single by Neal.

Joe, Cooley and Neal each went 2-for-4 in the game, and Caleb Goodwin (Shreveport, La./Evangel Christian Academy) was 2-for-3.

Pitching dominated the second game. The Lions scored a run in the top of the first on a walk, a sacrifice bunt and a single. It would be the only run UNA hurler Riley Sanderson would need, as he tossed seven shutout innings on two hits and five walks.

The Bucs threatened in the bottom of the third as Mickey Smith (Arlington, Tenn./Arlington HS) hit a leadoff single. A Casey Goodwin (Memphis, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) walk and a Kelly hit by pitch loaded the bases with two out, but a flyout left the bases loaded.

UNA added another run in the sixth on a single, a passed ball and an error to set the final margin at 2-0.

The Bucs threatened again in the bottom of the seventh. Riley Kilgore (Cordova, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) reached on an error and Josh Ambuehl (Las Vegas, Nev./Arlington HS) worked a one-out walk. But a double play ended the game.

The loss spoiled a strong outing from Cooley (0-2), who allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits and two walks over seven innings. Smith and Neal each singled in the game for CBU.

The Bucs and Lions meet again Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for the final game of the series.