MURRAY, Ky. (Interstat) — Easton Romero homered and drove in four runs as Murray State defeated North Alabama 9-5 on Tuesday afternoon at Reagan Field. The Racers improved to 28-24 while the Lions dropped to 25-26.

Murray State trailed 5-0 after the top of the first when Dylan Coleman hit a two-run homer for North Alabama. The Racers cut the deficit to 5-3 in the second on Luke Mistone’s three-run blast. Romero then put Murray State ahead 7-5 with a grand slam in the third.

North Alabama added a run in the third on a sacrifice fly, but the Lions could not regain the lead. Murray State extended the margin with a run on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Romero went 1 for 2 with a home run and four RBIs. Mistone finished 1 for 2 with a homer and three RBIs. Coleman led North Alabama with two hits, including a homer, and two RBIs.

Pitcher John Allen Stogner threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings for the Lions. Jack Wajda tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings for Murray State. Each team had seven hits.