The University of North Alabama (UNA) Lions are set to take the field in the 2025 baseball season, armed with a revamped conference schedule and a brand-new home stadium. As the Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference unveiled the Lions' divisional matchups, the stage is set for an electrifying campaign that promises to showcase the team's talent and determination.

Gearing Up for a Thrilling ASUN Showdown

Navigating the Divisional Landscape

The 2025 ASUN conference schedule presents a unique challenge for the UNA Lions, as they will face off against a select group of divisional opponents in a balanced format. This divisional play will allow the team to engage in a home-and-home series with each program on their side of the conference, ensuring a truly competitive and well-rounded schedule.Head coach Jad Prachniak expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, stating, "The ASUN conference schedule is always competitive — our league is filled with talented players and quality coaches. The divisional play format in 2025 will create a truly balanced schedule. We will get a chance to play a home and home series with each program on our side of the conference. We want to play post-season baseball in 2025. We are looking forward to the challenge our league provides."

Navigating the Road Ahead

The Lions' 2025 conference schedule features a mix of home and away matchups, with five road games and five home games at the newly-renovated Bank Independent Stadium. The team will hit the road for the second conference weekend, facing off against Eastern Kentucky, before traveling to Nashville to take on Lipscomb. The Lions will also face Bellarmine and Austin Peay on the road, ensuring a balanced schedule that will test their mettle.

Embracing the New Digs

The University of North Alabama has recently undertaken a significant renovation project, transforming the Bank Independent Stadium to serve as the new home for the baseball, football, and soccer teams starting in 2026. In 2025, the Lions will have the opportunity to showcase their talents in the newly-renovated facility, which will provide a state-of-the-art playing environment for the team and its supporters.

Adapting to a Fresh Slate of Opponents

The 2025 ASUN conference schedule brings a fresh slate of opponents for the UNA Lions, as they will face only divisional teams during the regular season. This shift in the schedule means that the Lions will no longer battle Kennesaw State, Jacksonville, Stetson, Queens, and North Florida, as those programs have either joined new conferences or been removed from the Lions' schedule.

Offensive Firepower on Display

The UNA Lions' bats came alive in the 2024 ASUN conference play, with the team recording five games in which they scored 11 or more runs. In those high-scoring affairs, the Lions boasted a 4-1 record, showcasing their offensive prowess and ability to outpace their opponents.

Continuing the Upward Trajectory

The 2024 season marked a significant milestone for the UNA Lions, as they set a new Division I program high for conference victories with nine. This achievement surpassed their previous best of eight wins in 2023 and seven wins in 2019, demonstrating the team's steady progress and their determination to reach new heights in the ASUN conference.As the UNA Lions prepare to take the field in the 2025 season, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. With a revamped conference schedule, a new home stadium, and a roster of talented players, the Lions are poised to roar louder than ever before, leaving an indelible mark on the ASUN conference and cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with.