North Alabama Lions baseball explained

Current:2024 North Alabama Lions baseball team
North Alabama Lions
Founded:1932
University:University of North Alabama
Coach:Jad Prachniak
Tenure:2nd
Conference:ASUN Conference
Location:Florence, Alabama
Stadium:Mike D. Lane Field
Capacity:750
Nickname:Lions
Record:1671-1214-16
Cws:Division II: 1999
Regional Champ:Division II: 1999
Ncaa Tourneys:Division II: 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2011, 2012
Conference Tournament:Division II: 1984, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1999
Conference Champion:Division II: 1992, 1993

The North Alabama Lions baseball team represents the University of North Alabama, which is located in Florence, Alabama. The Lions are an NCAA Division I college baseball program that competes in the ASUN Conference. They began competing in Division I in 2019 and joined the ASUN Conference the same season.

The North Alabama Lions play all home games on campus at Mike D. Lane Field. Under the direction of Head Coach Jad Prachniak, the Lions are entering their 2nd season under full Division I membership. In the program's 35 years in Division II, the Lions played in 12 NCAA Tournaments and advanced to the College World Series once in 1999.

Since the program's inception in 1932, 5 Lions have gone on to play in Major League Baseball, highlighted by 3-time World Series champion and 2013 All-Star Sergio Romo. Since 1982, 15 Lions have been drafted, most recently in 2018 when the Baltimore Orioles selected Tyler Joyner in the 30th round.

Conference membership history

Mike D. Lane Field

See main article: Mike D. Lane Field. Mike D. Lane Field is a baseball stadium on the North Alabama campus in Florence, Alabama that seats 750 people. It was opened in 1984. It was dedicated to former head coach Mike D. Lane on March 11, 2008, to a crowd of 1,874.[1]

Head coaches

Records taken from the 2024 UNA Baseball Record Book. UNA began its baseball program in1932 but records are incomplete or nonexistent for many of the early seasons. This results in incomplete records for Eddie Flowers and George Weeks. [1]

1932-1949 Eddie Flowers 18 23-19-3*
1950-1971 George Weeks 22 163-159*
1972Jackie Pedigo 1 10-19
1973-1974 Ricky Lindsey2 33-26
1975 Mike Dean1 12-23
1976 Tommy Jones1 15-26
1977-1978 Mike Knight2 55-65
1979 Gary Elliott1 18-17
1980–1983 Mike Galloway4 72-87
1984–2008 Mike Lane 25 908–398–12
2009–2018 10 308–201–1
Division I Era
2019-2022 4 38–132
2023-Now Jad Prachniak 2 16–42
Totals12 coaches93 seasons1671–1214–16

Program achievements

Gulf South Conference League Championships1984, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1999
Gulf South Conference Division Champions1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 2002, 2005
NCAA Division II Regional Tournament Appearances1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2011, 2012
NCAA Division II Regional Championships1999
NCAA Division II National Championship Appearance1999

Lions in the Major Leagues

= All-Star = Baseball Hall of Famer
AthleteYears in MLBMLB Teams
Cedric Landrum1991–1993Chicago Cubs, New York Mets
Jim Czajkowski1994Colorado Rockies
Terry Jones1996, 1998–2001Colorado Rockies, Montreal Expos
Josh Willingham2004–2014Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals
Sergio Romo2008–presentSan Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins
Taken from the 2024 UNA Baseball Record Book.[1] Updated February 22, 2024.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024 UNA Baseball Record Book. February 23, 2024.