FLORENCE, Ala. — North Alabama scored a run each in the eighth and ninth in rallying to defeat the Bellarmine University baseball team 5-4 Saturday in ASUN play at Mike Lane Field.

North Alabama (11-37, 4-22 ASUN) came back from three different deficits in the game to clinch the series against Bellarmine (11-38, 8-18). The Knights regained the lead for the final time on the fourth home run of the season by junior catcher Gabe Bratetic, a solo shot in the sixth.

North Alabama tied it at 4-4 in the eighth on a two-out RBI triple by Cal Cook. The Lions then drew a pair of walks in the ninth in setting up runners at first and second with two outs when Devne Daniel ended it with a walk-off single down the left-field line.

Bellarmine had taken a 1-0 lead in the second on a sacrifice fly by Bratetic, and the Knights held a 3-1 advantage in the fifth after RBI singles by senior shortstop Clayton Mehlbauer and senior designated hitter Ethan English. North Alabama matched Bellarmine in the bottom half of both the second and fifth with one and two runs, respectively.

Bratetic was 1-for-1 with two walks and two RBI. Mehlbauer and English collected two hits apiece.

Junior righthander Nolan Pender delivered an effective start, allowing three runs — two earned — on six hits with five strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched.

The teams will conclude the series at 2 p.m. (ET) Sunday.

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