UNA Basketball Night @ Lost Pizza w/Benjamin Ray 02/12/26
93.9 The Score WYTK - February 10, 2026
https://www.939thescore.com/una-basketball-night-lost-pizza-w-benjamin-ray-02-12-26/

This transcript was generated automatically from the broadcast audio. Names and some words may be misspelt; the audio is the official record.

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It's time for UNA Basketball Night at Lost Pizza Company, featuring Coach Candy Whitaker and Coach Tony Pujol.
UNA Basketball Night is brought to you by Lost Pizza, Bank Independent, Burnley Spine and Sport, Renaissance Eye Care, The Carriage Wine and Market, Alabama Health Guidance, and Singing River Brewery.
Now live from Lost Pizza Company in historic downtown Florence, here's the voice of the UNA Lions, Benjamin Ray.
Hello and welcome to another night of UNA Basketball Night from Lost Pizza Shoals in historic downtown Florence.
Benjamin Ray and Mike Ezekiel with you here on a Tuesday special.
We've got a busy week of basketball taking place right now.
The men and women both played on Monday night when the show would normally be, so we've shifted to Tuesday night for this week.
And Mike, it's a busy time of the year.
It's what's referred to as crossover season in college athletics, so we're having a crossover episode.
Softball's underway, our first spring sport to start.
Baseball will ramp up this weekend.
Both basketballs are going.
It's the busiest time of the year.
That's right.
Crossover season.
It takes place in November, usually with the fall and the winter, and then now we're in February,
and the winter and spring kind of clash.
And while it is a busy time, it's a very exciting time, and obviously we'll have softball on in just a moment.
They had a big weekend going 4-1 down at Troy in their Trojan Classic, and obviously basketball going right now.
We'll hear from the men.
Since the women are on the road, the men will be here tonight.
And then baseball, a big opener coming up this weekend.
A lot of excitement there.
I also found out that the tennis team won today, beat Jacksonville State, so that's a big win.
That's about to be read on roarlines.com, so a lot of interesting things going on in the spring right now.
So tennis was actually the first sport to start.
You forget all the time that they start in January and go until about the end of the year.
That's right.
A lot of indoor playing going on right now for them.
But today was a great day to play outside, so there you go.
So the UNA women are on the road tonight.
They've had quite the road trip.
They started it on the road against Queens on – actually, let me keep going down their schedule.
They started this road trip on the road at Queens on Saturday.
Grant Wakefield was there in the Queen City for that one.
The Lions won it 71-55.
Then they flew to Little Rock, Arkansas, bused to Conway, Arkansas.
Last night they dropped a tough one to Central Arkansas.
That game was tied late in the second half.
The Sugar Bears of UCA pulled away late.
Then they got on a plane today and flew from Little Rock to Atlanta,
where then they bused about 30 minutes to Carrollton, Georgia.
So Candy Whitaker and the UNA women have kind of crisscrossed back and forth,
east coast to Arkansas, back to the east coast.
They might not know where they're at right now, Mike, but they're playing West Georgia on Wednesday night.
Right now they're practicing.
We're going to try to get Candy Whitaker on with us tonight, but they're trying to get things going yet again.
They've been really good so far this year.
They traveled through three states in five days.
Pretty remarkable what they have to do on the road.
And to still win as they have, I believe now, what, wins in seven of the last nine or is it eight of the last ten?
Something like that.
Actually, seven of the last ten now.
So trying to make it eight with a big road trip coming up at West Georgia.
But, yeah, they've been everywhere.
You've got to go from North Carolina, and then a day later you've got to travel,
and then the next day play in Arkansas.
Not an easy thing to do at all.
And this is a really good basketball team, and they're peaking right now,
and I look forward to seeing what they do on Wednesday.
The men will play their fourth game at about eight days tomorrow night in the bank.
Wednesday, an old Gulf South Conference foe comes to town in West Georgia.
And then Sunday, Mike, a game we've all had circled since about October when it was announced.
The UNA men will host Eastern Kentucky, the first ever what we call linear broadcast
on one of the main ESPN channels inside of Historic Flowers Hall, CB&S Bank Arena.
ESPNU, 3 o'clock.
It's one of the most exciting basketball games we've had in the regular season.
Yeah, and starting with tomorrow night, that's going to be a great one with West Georgia.
Classic rivalry.
That series is even, by the way.
I mean, I think it's been 76 meetings.
It's split right down the middle, so whoever wins gets the series advantage.
That's going to be eSports night as well, so very excited there.
But like you said, Ben, on Sunday at 3 p.m., ESPNU,
packing the gym is going to be very important to show the nation what the bank is like
and how great of an environment it is.
2,500 fans will get a white T-shirt, so be sure to pack out the bank on Sunday.
It's going to be a great day to be on ESPNU.
And here's the deal.
ESPN didn't just pick this game because of the success last year.
They picked this game because of the crowds we have been getting inside of the bank,
so it's an opportunity for the Shoals area to be on display on the mothership ESPNU.
That's right.
And you go back to the 90s and those national championships and the crowds that were there,
the sellout crowds.
I think about some of the TV games we've played on recently.
But to bring that to CB&S Bank Arena, Flowers Hall, to do that on a linear network
where people are going to be watching.
This is scheduled on your TV guide, and you're going to be seeing North Alabama there on the marquee.
Let's show them what we can do as a crowd because we've had some really great ones,
and we continue to lead the ASA in attendance right now.
Wednesday, 6 o'clock, Sunday, 3 p.m.
Hope to see you out there.
Let's get into it.
We've got a jam-packed show here in just a little while.
We're going to hear from North Alabama head basketball coach Tony Pujol.
Dallas Howell will swing by as well.
We're going to talk some baseball.
Jad Pratniak's here, Gavin Oswald, Charlie Cochran.
But next, we're going to jump into some UNA softball.
Bailey Rouse and Laura Lee Wheeler enjoying some pizza over here to our right.
But when we return, the national champion, the 13-year head coach
at the University of North Alabama joins us next, Ashley Cozart.
We're off and running.
It's UNA basketball night.
It's a crossover edition from Lost Pizza Shoals.
0-93-9, the score.
Shoals drop everything.
This is not a drill.
Lost Pizza Company Shoals is running the full-court press.
The full-court press Cuban sandwich inspired by Coach Tony Pujol.
This sandwich brings championship flavor,
and it's only available at Lost Pizza Company Shoals.
And coming off the bench hot, our brand-new buffalo chicken dip.
Creamy, spicy, straight-up MVP material.
Run the full-court press at Lost Pizza Company Shoals, where every bite beats the buzzer.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now offering soft wave therapy,
effective for osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, foot ulcers, shoulder pain, and more.
We also offer the only Theralight 360 red light therapy beds in the Shoals area,
helping with sleep, energy, recovery, pain, and inflammation.
Therapies coupled with dry needleing can help with sugar point and muscular pain.
In addition, we also offer genetic testing, deep tissue laser, adjustments, and more.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now open Saturdays to better serve our patients.
Please visit us at burnleychiro.com.
Hi, this is Ike Fowler with Alabama Health Guidance.
Whether you are looking for a Medicare health plan or you are under 65
and exploring individual health care options,
Alabama Health Guidance can help you find the plan that fits your needs.
Our local agents make it simple, so stop by our office at 885 Florence Boulevard
or give us a call at 256-648-5710.
Again, that's 256-648-5710.
Have you ever seen those halftime scholarships where you have to nail a 40-yard field goal?
Yeah, this isn't that.
I didn't have to write a long essay or audition or make a half-court shot.
I just had to open a bank independent account, use my debit card,
sign up for online banking, and have a positive balance.
That's it.
A 20% scholarship to UNA.
When bank independent invests in students like me,
they're investing in all of us and the future of our community.
Bank independent.
We're invested in your future.
Member FDIC.
Hey guys, how long have you been wearing those out-of-date, scratched-up glasses?
This is Dr. Hamp Moore with Renaissance Eye Care.
Go ahead and do as the woman in your life has been asking and schedule an eye exam.
You can go to renaissanceeyecare.com or call 767-5000 to see either Dr. Kathy Werner, Dr. Lisa Campbell, or myself.
Everyone knows it's time to evaluate the health of your eyes and get a new pair of glasses.
We can make sure you won't miss any of the action this fall.
And roar lines.
Join us at Singing River Brewery, your local hub for great beer and community fun.
Ready to serve delicious drinks and host amazing events?
Try our Golden Mainer Leo's Roar, and 50% goes to UNA Athletics.
Support your local business and college community while enjoying a fantastic atmosphere.
Don't miss out on the good times.
Come sip, socialize, and savor the taste of Singing River Brewery.
Got wine?
Offering 10% off six or more bottles of mix-and-match wine
and an unmatched selection of nearly 1,000 different wines to suit any budget,
the Carriage Wine & Market is your one-stop wine and craft beer destination
in the heart of downtown Florence.
In the mood to relax and wine down?
Indulge in our bar service featuring fine wines, wine cocktails, and craft beers,
all paired perfectly with house-made small bites and charcuterie
and served with a smile in our cozy living room-style atmosphere.
Come spend a little time with us and uncork your wine journey
at the Carriage Wine & Market, located at 121 East Mobile Street
on Mobile Plaza across from the Shoals Theater.
Cheers!
Here we go.
We're back with you from Lost Pizza Shoals in historic downtown Florence.
Benjamin Ray and Mike Ezekiel,
joined next by a national championship-winning head softball coach,
Ashley Cozart, in her 13th season.
Coach, we did a little shindig earlier this morning,
and you got me thinking about a lot of things.
You asked me a question.
I want to kind of reference back to that.
How often do you think back to the national championship run?
I think about it every week, just about.
One of the most incredible parts of my life.
I'll never forget it.
I remember a lot of things from that year.
You asked me what some of my favorite moments have been,
and I went back to Harley Barkley's basis-clearing triple,
almost an inside-the-park home run.
We thought we were going to play game three in the Super Regional.
Ended up winning it that night,
punching our ticket to the national championship in Colorado.
That was really my first year broadcasting for UNA.
So it started with UNA softball.
I always think back to that.
Mike and I were doing it.
Mike, do you have a memory that comes back from that run?
I think of Brooklyn Clark, obviously.
I think watching her hit a home run in that.
Which game was it?
I mean, it might have been the one.
Was it Humboldt State?
I don't know if it was the one.
It was the first game that she hit through the freeway.
Yeah, I mean, she absolutely cleared it.
That's right, because we talked about it for the next few days
while we were still there.
And obviously, Madeline Lee getting the last down.
Like, all of those moments were just great.
I remember Ben's call.
And, Coach, one thing that's really fun for Ben and I,
we talk a lot about the Hall of Fame
and who's coming up on balance.
Well, we're coming up on the 10th year anniversary of 2016,
and I got a good feeling that softball team's probably going to be
on the ballot pretty well.
Yeah, that's awesome.
Yeah.
It's fun.
Like, you get your different eras going in.
It's full of the football championship years, right?
Now you're getting Bobby Wallace's second run with some people.
And now we'll have a lot of those softball players going in,
which is pretty special.
So from 23rd, gosh, 2026, I got to think of my years,
to 2026, Coach, what's been the feeling
surrounding this year's team?
Great fall.
Unbelievable leadership.
This team just connects.
And that's important when you're talking about college sports.
You can have all the talent in the world,
but if you're not meshing well, if you're not a family,
if you're not loving each other, and this team does.
And they really coached themselves, you know.
A great team is led by coaches, but an unbelievable team is led by their players.
And this team is led by our players, and I'm really excited to see that.
Coach, your team outscored opponents 39-21 in those five games down at the Trojan Classic.
And we'll just go through it a little bit.
You go and beat Middle Tennessee in the first game.
You get them again and have a come-from-behind victory,
and that's the one I really want to talk about in a moment.
But then you go and beat Chattanooga, the defending SoCon champion,
and you run-roll them in five innings, and then you beat Southern in six innings.
Heartbreaker against Troy that was really closer than the score indicated
that just kind of, you know, happened at the end there,
and some controversy, if you will.
But overall, incredible weekend and an incredible start for you.
Just what worked this weekend?
Yeah, great weekend against some great competition.
You know, you go into opening weekend,
and you just never know how things are going to lay out.
And our girls brought the right mindset from the get-go.
I mean, given led off with a triple.
I think it was a single, but it was a triple, you know, to me.
And score two runs in that first game is just huge.
And then A-Lev comes out and has 13 strikeouts.
That will make anybody kind of relax and, you know,
just be able to play the game.
So, huge weekend.
I loved our mentality.
Also, even when it got kind of dicey and our, you know,
we weren't hitting as well and then the pitching was a little off,
we still stayed, you know, to the course
and still did a great job of just mentally staying in the game.
And then the come-from-behind win Sunday,
I think I was more proud of that, just rebounding from the Troy game.
And then just seeing what our club did that Sunday,
I was happy about that.
Let's talk about the offense just a little bit.
We had a lot of power from the middle of the order.
You've had different makeups almost every year, right,
from speed-heavy lineups to power-heavy lineups.
How does this team fit in?
Definitely power.
I would say our 2, 3, 4, 5 could be one of the best in the ASUN.
You know, you've got Briley, who had, you know,
double-digit home runs last year, has a lot of speed,
so she can really do it all.
And then you've got Bailey Rouse, who I think led us in home runs last year,
and then you've got, or maybe Larley, and then you've got Larley after that.
And then we added a transfer, Holly Merritt, who, real strong kid,
lefty, who can go out, take it out of the park at any time too.
So we definitely have a lot of pop this year.
I'm excited about that.
Coach, let's go back to the MTSU game that you alluded to.
We were down 2-0 going into the sixth inning.
Only had two hits up to that point,
but finally it just started to click there in the bottom half.
And we had had great offense all weekend.
So for it to not be in that game Sunday, it was, you know, a little surprising.
And then it finally just started to click.
You talked about those 2-3, Briley and Bailey,
and getting those back-to-back singles.
Laura Lee and what she was able to do to get the RBI in.
And then Emma Kate Wright comes up and he has the big hit,
the go-ahead home run that ended up being the winning runs.
Talk about that at bat and how Emma Kate impacted that game.
Yeah, EK, I don't think I would want it for anybody else on the team than her.
She works so hard, has the right mentality.
She's really just kind of bought her time, her freshman and sophomore year.
And now she just has like a different air about her, and I love that.
And huge moment.
I think it was first and second and hits the three-run homer.
As soon as she hit it, I knew it was gone.
And so I'm just so happy for her.
She deserves it.
And she was on it the whole game.
She had actually hit two shots before that and lined out to it right at somebody
and then, you know, made that happen.
So I'm super happy for her.
Emma Kate Wright from right here in Florence, Alabama.
Mars Hill product.
Briley Dover right up the road.
Loretto, Tennessee.
All of your teams, you're always able to find great local talent.
Yeah, local talent's important.
You know, we kind of have that as our core and kind of build around that.
So love our local girls for sure.
Coach, you've got a lot of familiar faces on this roster too.
And speaking of local talent, Briley Dover's one of those.
And one thing I'd like to ask, you know, started her career at third base, you know,
had a really good shortstop at the point she came in as a freshman, Haven Curvy.
Then she moves over to shortstop last year.
Now she's playing second base for Haley Jones.
What's it been like for her to move around the infield and how has she done at second
base so far?
Yeah, she's just so athletic.
I literally can put her anywhere and she wouldn't say anything, but she's just been a dream
to coach.
But yeah, just coming in, she was actually a shortstop in high school.
She's just, she's such a great fielder.
So we put her over there at third, needed her at short last year and she did a great job
for us.
But we, we have a freshman that came in this year and just has great hands, just kind
of a natural.
And so kind of wanted to take some pressure off Briley.
I do think she felt a little pressure last year and so she loves second base and I think
it's definitely helped her hitting wise too, just to kind of relax and not have to worry
about some of those little things.
So again, can put her anywhere, but I'm happy she's at second base and she learned a lot
from Haley.
I'm sure they were best friends.
So any chance she plays first base next year?
So we kind of complete the, maybe catch some as well.
I'm not sure she has the height, but if, if we needed her over there, I'd totally feel
comfortable her going over there.
Exciting non-conference home schedule highlighted by Ole Miss coming to town in middle of
March.
You've hosted Alabama twice.
Mississippi State played two games back first year, second year division one, I think it
was.
Now you get another SEC opponent coming in, but I know it's thrilling, not just for the
Shoals area, but it says a lot about your program.
Yeah, we always try to, you know, schedule, you know, some tough teams, but any SEC team
we can get.
And so we, we went to Ole Miss several different times.
So she agreed to come to us this year or so, but we've enjoyed every game.
I'm telling you, the crowd has been unreal.
This community, just everything.
My girls feel the love and the support.
And so we love hosting those big teams because we know we're going to have a lot of purple.
Now you've played a lot of SEC teams the last eight years of the division one level.
Are you always pestering the other coaches?
Hey, we came here.
You got to come our way next.
I am.
I am.
And some of these, they're just greedy, you know?
I mean, it was, it was tough getting Ole Miss here, but finally got her here.
So Murphy at Alabama, he is so great.
We actually rotate.
So we're going to them this year.
He'll come to us, you know, next year.
So it rotates, and he's really great about that.
Yeah, and Ben, talking about those SEC teams and coach, just how we've competed with them.
Even last year, it was a heartbreaking loss, but went toe-to-toe with Alabama, who's won national championships.
It's been a great program.
It says a lot about us.
And one of the players that really impacted that game was Olivia Wilkin.
Had just a tremendous pitching day, and to do what she did again in the tournament, 13 strikeouts this year.
I mean, how she developed as her fifth-year senior.
Yeah, you know, when she's on, I would put her up against the best in the country.
I mean, she just, the way she spins the ball, her mentality.
She's just so calm and collected on the mound, and I love that about her.
But she did.
I mean, we had Alabama down 2-0, you know, top of the seventh, pitched unreal.
But she's thrown a lot of huge games for us, and, you know, I always say a good pitcher is good job security.
So I was glad she was back for her fifth year.
All right, hear me out.
Two years, Alabama's coming back.
Yep.
What about a game inside a bank-independent stadium?
I love that idea.
I love that.
That would be incredible, wouldn't it?
Yes, I love that, yep.
Community support around your program, Coach.
I mean, it feels like you don't have to do much marketing.
People turn out to watch this team.
What can they expect when they come out this year to see this year's team?
You know, we have preached hitting, you know, since the fall.
And I'm going to be honest, our hitting, I have so much confidence in our hitting.
We have some wow hitters.
And, like, last year we kind of had a little bit of a mix of speed.
Every now and then some pop.
I'm going to tell you, we've got some pop this year, and I'm real excited to see that.
And so I think that's going to be exciting to see our offense, you know, continue to get better and do some big things.
This weekend, down to Birmingham, playing in the Samford Tournament.
We've got to get a more exciting name for them with that tournament.
Maybe we can brand it for them.
Lindenwood, Belmont, Sanford, Lindenwood, Belmont.
That will be the opponents.
Then South Alabama.
Then the home opener against Evansville, February 28th at the end of this month.
Softball season is here, and I know everybody's fired up.
Coach, thank you for swinging by.
Before you go, though, Larley Wheeler, Bailey Roussler coming up next.
Set them up for us.
Tell us about our next guest coming up.
Well, two great girls.
They have been huge in our success last year.
What I love is they've got a year under their belt this year, last year,
and so they're coming in with just a different mentality.
They're settled.
They're confident.
And they're huge leaders for us.
They work hard and just super excited they're here tonight.
Coming up next, it's the UNA Sluggers, Bailey Rouss and Larley Wheeler.
Thank you very much, Coach Kozart.
Thanks for having me.
This is UNA Basketball Night from Los Pizza Shoals on 93.9 The Score.
Shoals drop everything.
This is not a drill.
Los Pizza Company Shoals is running the full-court press.
The full-court press Cuban sandwich, inspired by Coach Tony Pujol.
This sandwich brings championship flavor, and it's only available at Los Pizza Company Shoals.
And coming off the bench hot, our brand-new buffalo chicken dip.
Creamy, spicy, straight-up MVP material.
Run the full-court press at Los Pizza Company Shoals, where every bite beats the buzzer.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now offering soft wave therapy, effective for osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, foot ulcers, shoulder pain, and more.
We also offer the only Theralight 360 red light therapy beds in the Shoals area, helping with sleep, energy, recovery, pain, and inflammation.
Therapies coupled with dry needling can help with sugar point and muscular pain.
In addition, we also offer genetic testing, deep tissue laser, adjustments, and more.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now open Saturdays to better serve our patients.
Please visit us at burnleychiro.com.
Hi, this is Ike Fowler with Alabama Health Guidance.
Whether you are looking for a Medicare health plan or you are under 65 and exploring individual health care options,
Alabama Health Guidance can help you find the plan that fits your needs.
Our local agents make it simple, so stop by our office at 885 Florence Boulevard
or give us a call at 256-648-5710.
Again, that's 256-648-5710.
Imagine a bank where you feel at home.
Real people living right here in your community are the heart of Bank Independent and everything we do.
You have our commitment to bring the people, ideas, and resources together
that create a stronger community full of endless potential.
For over 75 years, we've served this place we all call home.
Bank Independent.
We're invested in you.
Member FDIC.
Hey guys, how long have you been wearing those out-of-date, scratched-up glasses?
This is Dr. Ham Moore with Renaissance Eye Care.
Go ahead and do as the woman in your life has been asking and schedule an eye exam.
You can go to renaissanceeyecare.com or call 767-5000 to see either Dr. Kathy Werner, Dr. Lisa Campbell, or myself.
Everyone knows it's time to evaluate the health of your eyes and get a new pair of glasses.
We can make sure you won't miss any of the action this fall.
And roar lines.
Join us at Singing River Brewery, your local hub for great beer and community fun.
Ready to serve delicious drinks and host amazing events?
Try our Golden Mainer Leo's Roar, and 50% goes to UNA Athletics.
Support your local business and college community while enjoying a fantastic atmosphere.
Don't miss out on the good times.
Come sip, socialize, and savor the taste of Singing River Brewery.
Prohibition is over, and the good times will flow once again at the Florence Wine Fest, February 20th and 21st.
Friday night sets its own with coops, cocktails, and velvet smooth live music.
Saturday afternoon, taste your way through an unforgettable wine experience.
Then Saturday night, the city comes alive with the Florence Wine Fest Free Block Party and Concert,
featuring Atlanta's great grand finale band.
Free block party tickets and full event details are at FlorenceWineFest.com.
Proudly presented by Visit the Shoals, with support from CB&S Bank,
Clearview Cancer Institute, and the Hotels of Florence.
Our UNA Softball Talk continues here from UNA Basketball Night at Lost Pizza Shoals on 93.9 The Score.
Benjamin Ray alongside Mike Ezekiel.
And in between us, we've got Laura Lee Wheeler, a senior from Sullivan, Alabama, her second year at North Alabama.
And Bailey Rouse from Kennesaw, Georgia, her second year as well.
They're here to talk some UNA Softball with us.
The power in the middle of the order that Coach Cozart was just talking about.
Thank you both for joining us here tonight.
All right, Laura Lee, year two, how's it feeling now for you that you've had one year in the program?
I love it.
I feel like this year I'm more settled and more comfortable with how everything runs
and how, like, what the coaches expect of you and, like, what they want from you.
But I feel this year I'm more comfortable and more, like, I can be a leader more this year.
Bailey, do you feel the same way?
Absolutely, absolutely.
It's so nice coming back and being more comfortable and also being an upperclassman this year makes it a lot easier.
Yes.
Yeah, and talk about how you guys bat kind of back-to-back in the order.
And Coach just complimented how great our three, four, fives are.
Ben, I think you said the same thing.
What's it like knowing that, you know, you're going first, you're right behind her,
and you kind of know, okay, we kind of hit back-to-back and we got each other's backs.
We play well off of each other.
We tell each other every game, like, I got your back.
Like, if she hits, I'm like, I got this.
Like, we got each other's backs.
We really do play well off of each other.
Absolutely.
And I love hitting with Briley as well in the lineup right there.
Like, me and her, we really feed off of each other.
And then knowing that Laura, like, no matter what me and her do together,
like, Laura's right behind us and we're a good team.
All-Ace on Laura Lee Wheeler last year.
How did it feel to earn some conference honors like that?
Coming in as, like, this being my first year here, like, it felt good.
Like, it gave me a little bit of more confidence that coming into a new program
that I think I definitely needed from last year
and carrying it over into this year just making me want to work harder.
And, Bailey, let's talk about the honor that you got last year on SportsCenter.
You made top ten, the number nine play against Memphis.
I believe it was one out runner on third.
You made a catch and tagged the runner at third to end the game.
And just to be able to see yourself on TV, on ESPN like that, how did that feel?
It was awesome.
I mean, it kind of made it feel like everything that I had worked for, like,
paid off in that moment, especially because in that moment I was actually sick.
So it was like, well, I finally made it because I played at Wallace before.
And it was like I finally went JUCO.
And then I finally made it to D1.
And then I finally got on the stage that, like, I've always dreamed of.
So it was really awesome.
And all my teammates supporting me really made that moment really special and unforgettable.
Okay.
The Wallace State takeover.
You both played there together, right?
And there's so many on this team.
Was it almost like you all enjoyed playing together so much and you all picked a school to go to?
How did this take place that you all decided to come to North Alabama?
I think the Simon twins got recruited here first.
And then I came after them.
We actually looked at apartments together.
And then it started like everyone was like, oh, I'm going to go to North Alabama.
And then you just started hearing, like, we're all going to go together.
And we're like, wow, we've learned so much together from each other at Wallace.
Like, how well are we going to do at this next stage?
And, like, us knowing each other, going in somewhere new.
I think also it's comforting knowing that you know someone and have someone lean on in a new program.
Absolutely.
And I feel the same exact way.
Like, coming here and actually knowing people, taking it to the next level with those same people that we had won conference
and faced a lot of adversity the year previous made it a lot, a lot more fun and a lot better to have them around.
That's awesome.
And just to see, like, the seniors all stay together, the Wallace State clan all stay together, it's really good to see.
Let's talk about this opening weekend at Trojan Classic, 4-1, come away with four wins against some really good teams.
MTSU beat them twice.
Chattanooga, a team that won their conference last year, run-ruled them.
Just some huge wins.
But let's talk about that last game.
You guys were big.
You got the RBI.
You got the single to get on base as well.
And then the home run from Emma Kate.
Just talk about that feeling and what happened in that sixth inning that was so special.
It was awesome.
EK kept coming out there.
Like, she was a little frustrated in her head.
And I told her before I laughed at her, I was like, you've got this.
Like, get your head out of your butt.
And she was like, I got it.
And she went up there.
And I told her, I was like, this is your chance.
And she did it.
And I was so proud of her because there was no one more deserving than her.
She'd worked so hard.
Absolutely.
And it goes back to what we were talking about a minute ago with the whole Briley and then me and then Laura.
Like, it's almost as if when one of us is on, we're all on.
So, Briley was huge coming in, getting that hit, getting on base, and then me getting on, and then Laura coming in and scoring her.
And that really was a huge momentum shift.
And EK, gosh, she has worked so hard.
And she deserved that moment 100%.
And she was so excited.
It was amazing.
All right.
I don't know if I'm stealing this from Mike, but I'm going to go here.
Bailey, first female to hit a home run at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, opened, I think, back in 2017.
I'm a diehard Braves fan.
Tell me this story and how it felt to have that honor.
Okay.
So, the story was we were playing in the All-State game at Truist Park.
And I actually, what's funny about it, I wasn't supposed to hit where I had hit.
So, I had the previous play gotten cleated in my finger.
So, I went to the training room.
They skipped my at-bat.
They taped my finger up.
And then bases were loaded.
I get up to hit.
And I hit it over the fence.
And I was like, wait, what the heck?
And the crazy part about that was before the game, they announced over the intercom, they were like, history is going to be made today.
Like, somebody is going to hit a home run here.
And my dad kind of gave me this look.
He was like, okay, like, this could be you.
And it was me.
And it was insane.
It was the craziest feeling ever.
I mean, that and the SportsCenter top ten, definitely top two moments I've ever experienced.
Now, a lot to unload right here.
It was a grand slam.
Yes, sir.
Wow.
That's something you dream of.
Do you still have the ball?
Yes, I do.
Yes, I do.
And then, well, I have a replica of the ball.
But the actual ball is in a case in the Braves stadium.
Oh, wow.
So, there you are.
You've got history, you know, one of the most historic franchises in major.
Are you a Braves fan being from Kennesaw, Georgia?
Absolutely, absolutely.
So, I know that I think Inder Enciarte had the first home run in the park.
Yes, I think you're correct.
So, now there you are.
Your name's up there.
Hank Aaron, one of the all-time great home run hitters.
And then Bailey Rouse, right?
Yes, I know.
Crazy feeling, crazy feeling to be up there next to those big names.
And to play in that park was just, I was beside myself.
That's fantastic.
Well, I've got a quick question.
Which one was better, the SportsCenter one or the home run?
Oh, I don't know.
If I had to pick, I would say probably the home run.
Because the SportsCenter one, I didn't know I was on SportsCenter until, like, two days
later at practice.
Haley Jones, who was here last year, she was like, you're on SportsCenter.
And I was like, what are you talking about?
So, like, when I was at Trist, I knew, like, in the moment that it had happened.
But with the SportsCenter, I didn't find out until later.
That's cool.
And, Larley, let's bring it back to you a little bit.
Last day of deer season.
You're a big hunter.
You're very good at that as well is what I hear.
And you enjoy time on the lake.
What's your favorite thing about hunting?
Oh, that's hard.
I would definitely say probably getting up early or being in the woods late and, like,
hearing the nature and, like, enjoying that.
And also, like, the adrenaline rush that you get from it.
Definitely, like, if you kill a big buck or, like, kill a turkey or if you're duck hunting,
like, the adrenaline rush, like, that you get from it.
I just love it.
Now, as someone that doesn't know hardly anything about hunting, any memorable shots?
Oh, yes.
The buck that I killed this year, I was about to shoot another deer, and I just told my dad,
I'm like, I'm going to shoot this deer.
And then I literally turned to my right, and there he stood.
And I was like, oh, my gosh.
So then I had to jerk my gun the other way.
And then it was just, like, I'd been hunting him all year.
So, yeah, doing all the work, and then it finally paid off.
That's great.
Well, let's wrap it up with this.
This has been a great time with you all.
You were both nervous.
You both knocked this out.
But a hard question to end.
Favorite thing about playing for Ashley Cozart?
Favorite thing.
Okay, my favorite thing about playing for her is she's a great coach,
but she's also a great person.
So that was one of my big things on recruiting going out of Wallace was, like,
I need someone that is going to be there for me, even off the field.
And she's always there.
I mean, she's, like, in a way she's, like, my other mom.
Like, you know, when you're five hours from home, like,
that's all you got is your teammate and your coaches.
And, yeah, so she's a great person, and she's big on family.
And I really am very admirable with that.
Yeah, I'll say the family aspect of everything,
like her being so big about us being family.
Like, I'm a big family person, so that means a lot to me.
And her, like, always, like, even if we do bad,
she's always there to pick you up, too.
Like, she's always there to find the positive,
even when she gets on to you about something.
She's like, oh, well, here's something positive.
So I really love that about her.
Well, softball season is here.
They'll head down to Birmingham, home opener at the end of this month,
and make plans to go watch them host Ole Miss in the middle of March as well.
Thank you both for swinging by, and let's get a couple of long balls this weekend.
How's that sound?
Yes, sir.
Sounds great.
That's Bailey Rouse and Laura Lee Wheeler.
We'll take a timeout, we'll shift back to Hoops Talk when we return.
Dallas Howell is here.
We'll check in with the North Alabama leader.
This is UNA Basketball Night from Lost Pizza Shoals on 93.9 The Score.
Shoals drop everything.
This is not a drill.
Lost Pizza Company Shoals is running the full court press.
The full court press Cuban sandwich, inspired by Coach Tony Pujol.
This sandwich brings championship flavor, and it's only available at Lost Pizza Company Shoals.
And coming off the bench hot, our brand new buffalo chicken dip.
Creamy, spicy, straight up MVP material.
Run the full court press at Lost Pizza Company Shoals, where every bite beats the buzzer.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now offering soft wave therapy, effective for osteoarthritis,
plantar fasciitis, knee pain, foot ulcers, shoulder pain, and more.
We also offer the only Theralight 360 red light therapy beds in the Shoals area, helping with sleep, energy, recovery, pain, and inflammation.
Therapies coupled with dry kneeling can help with sugar point and muscular pain.
In addition, we also offer genetic testing, deep tissue laser, adjustments, and more.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now open Saturdays to better serve our patients.
Please visit us at burnleychiro.com.
Hi, this is Ike Fowler with Alabama Health Guidance.
Whether you are looking for a Medicare health plan or you are under 65 and exploring individual health care options,
Alabama Health Guidance can help you find the plan that fits your needs.
Our local agents make it simple, so stop by our office at 885 Florence Boulevard or give us a call at 256-648-5710.
Again, that's 256-648-5710.
I've been walking toward this my whole life.
You didn't always know where I was going and neither did I, but you always encouraged me to chase my dreams.
Bank Independent is helping me take the next step.
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Bank Independent, we're invested in your future.
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Hey guys, how long have you been wearing those out-of-date scratched up glasses?
This is Dr. Ham Moore with Renaissance Eye Care.
Go ahead and do as the woman in your life has been asking and schedule an eye exam.
You can go to renaissanceeyecare.com or call 767-5000 to see either Dr. Kathy Werner, Dr. Lisa Campbell, or myself.
Everyone knows it's time to evaluate the health of your eyes and get a new pair of glasses.
We can make sure you won't miss any of the action this fall.
And roar lines.
Join us at Singing River Brewery, your local hub for great beer and community fun.
Ready to serve delicious drinks and host amazing events?
Try our Golden Mainer Leo's Roar, and 50% goes to UNA Athletics.
Support your local business and college community while enjoying a fantastic atmosphere.
Don't miss out on the good times.
Come sip, socialize, and savor the taste of Singing River Brewery.
Got wine?
Offering 10% off six or more bottles of mix-and-match wine and an unmatched selection of nearly 1,000 different wines to suit any budget,
the Carriage Wine & Market is your one-stop wine and craft beer destination in the heart of downtown Florence.
In the mood to relax and wind down?
Indulge in our bar service featuring fine wines, wine cocktails, and craft beers,
all paired perfectly with house-made small bites and charcuterie,
and served with a smile in our cozy living room-style atmosphere.
Come spend a little time with us and uncork your wine journey at the Carriage Wine & Market,
located at 121 East Mobile Street on Mobile Plaza across from the Shoals Theater.
Cheers!
We've got a long-time caller, long-time listener stopping by next.
Dallas Howell, sixth season at the University of North Alabama,
coming up now on 117 games played.
Is it more than that?
122.
120.
120.
I'll get there eventually.
You're in the middle.
I lost my note there, but it's sixth year at North Alabama from Coffee Springs, Alabama,
Enterprise High School.
And Dallas, it's a crossover night.
I think we've talked to you before.
You played some basketball back in the day.
Could you play some baseball, anything like that?
I played a little baseball, for sure.
It wasn't my thing, but I played it.
What position did you play?
I was a pitcher and then first baseman, because of the lefty.
You know, they stick you at first base or in the outfield.
And then basketball is what you ultimately settled in on.
And, hey, I know this team's coming off of a super tough loss last night.
Central Arkansas, second in the league in the standings.
You guys led for 33 minutes.
And there's a lot of positives that we can build off of, right, as we head down the crunch time.
And what are some of those as you look back at that one?
For sure.
And it's just something that we've been, you know, trying to work towards with this team is just having fight.
And we're working towards that for sure.
We had a little slip up at Austin Peay before this where we didn't show as much fight as we want.
And in this past game, I think we really turned it around and showed that we can be a dominant team in this league if we lock in for 40 minutes.
And we showed 33 minutes of it last night.
And not just fight, but also the connection.
I feel like that's been a big message through this whole stretch of conference plans.
Staying connected, staying together, and that's how you become – that's how you overcome these obstacles.
How important is connection as a team right now?
It's really important.
And, you know, it's so difficult when you're losing, but it's something that's – we're stressed every day.
And it's something that – it's the only thing that can save you when you're going through stretches like that.
So it's something that we've been really focusing on, even though it's so hard.
But I think we're starting to grasp it and turn it around.
And the great part about this year is all we need is four wins in a row at the end, and we can win it.
So it's just – what our focus is on is just getting better every day, one step at a time, and then turn it on at the right time.
Tomorrow night against West Georgia will mark four games in eight days.
First of all, let's talk about this for just a little bit, but how are the legs feeling right now?
As you've played Wednesday, Saturday, Monday so far.
They're a little dead for sure.
You know, I'm not old in the grand scheme of things, but in college basketball years, I'm ancient.
So I'm starting to feel a little wear and tear for sure.
But we're doing a good job of recovery and, you know, had an hour and a half of stretching and treatment today,
just trying to get everything back going.
But we're going to show 40 minutes of fight regardless of how we feel.
And then mentally, what's it like where it's just game, turnaround, game, turnaround, game, turnaround like this?
I think there's pros and cons to it.
You know, you don't have as much time to kind of find your mistakes and figure them out.
But the other side of that is there's no time to dwell on anything.
It's a quick turnaround.
You know, you go in to film the next day and it's right to the next team.
So it's just kind of that next play mentality we talk about where, okay, the last one didn't go our way,
but we need to take a step in the right direction and keep fighting.
You know, Dallas, I want to ask this because there's been a few weeks where we're getting a little short-handed
and, you know, we've had to play five guys the whole way.
And you were one of those where you're just playing the whole way.
And I think I remember seeing at one point you were like, I don't need to come off.
I'm good.
I'm good.
Just everybody checking on you.
But when you had to go 40 minutes, not just what Ben's talking about with the travel,
but also having to play that whole entire stretch of the game, what is that like for you?
It's just it's a test of mental fortitude in my eyes.
Like at the end of the day, I can't let my, you know, if my body's the deciding factor, then so be it.
But I'm not going to let my mind be what takes me out of the game.
I'm going to and it helps being at home because you see that crowd and it's like, OK, I can I can fight for them.
I can fight for this team just because you just want to be out there doing everything you can to help win.
So six year, the old guy on the team.
You called yourself that just a minute ago to one of the younger guys, Braylon Patton.
Last two games, 19 points against Austin Peay, 12 against Central Arkansas.
Just how much has that young man grown up?
He's grown a lot this year and he's he's doing a great job, I think, with the with the hand he was dealt and the situation he's been thrust into with cannon being out with injury.
He's he's done great and he's got a long way to go and he knows that.
And I think that's what's what's amazing about him is he sees the stuff he can work on more than he sees what he's doing well.
And that's a mindset you have to have in this where you it's always about getting better.
And that's what he's focused on.
Yeah.
And you really like to see that.
And let's talk about the other freshman, Cortez Graham Howard.
He's working back into it.
Twenty games under his belt now.
What have you seen with him and what can he continue to do like Braylon?
Yeah, he's he's been great for us in spurts.
I mean, even last game came in, hit some big shots to keep the run for us going in that first half to build an early lead.
And I think he's a guy that really he benefits from the same thing that Braylon does, where he's always working to get better.
I see him in the gym all the time.
You know, he's a guy that's always trying to learn.
And they they're always talking to me, asking me stuff.
And that's when I see that, I know that the guy's trying to learn.
And that's that's really what a main focus is for if they're going to be great.
You know, we see you guys play a lot over the years throughout a season.
And it feels like every couple of games, somebody surprises us with something.
And Kevin Dukovicic, last year, I remember he had a fast break dunk.
I think it might have been in his big outing against Dalton State.
Monday night against Central Arkansas, he literally flew down the court, flew through the air.
Does it ever surprise you when you see stuff like that from guys?
That one that one definitely surprised me.
I wasn't ready for that one, mainly because I watched him in warm ups and I think he missed a dunk.
And I told him I was like, all right, maybe not tonight.
And then I think I saw the same dunk in warm ups.
And then after I told him that he decided to go and game and get him one.
So he definitely surprised me.
But I was glad.
Happy surprise.
What's the most memorable in-game dunk you've had or witnessed or maybe both?
Witnessed probably last year, Tay Fields, EKU.
Yes.
The start of the season.
That's the one I was going to go with.
I was going to say, we hadn't really seen him do something like that yet.
And then all of a sudden it came out of nowhere and just, it felt like it was the start of something special there.
I think that's where Otay was born on the dunk call because everybody was just so shocked.
Yeah, that was an incredible call, by the way.
But that photo, Drew Martin, shout out, lives in history.
I mean, I'm always going to remember that.
That is a true poster dunk.
And that's why they call it a poster because you're going to see that.
And it's going to be hanging up at somebody's house.
Absolutely.
I told him after that one that he needs to get it printed out and put up somewhere.
I mean, as soon as the game ended, that's what I was telling him.
That's right.
Well, Dallas, we know that your game is mostly outside the three-point shooting.
We've seen you drive to the lane a few times in the last few.
Is there any chance we see a Dallas Howell dunk at any point?
Definitely going to be trying for it.
We'll see if these old legs can keep me going for a little bit longer.
But if I have a chance to, I'm definitely going to try to get one for y'all.
All right.
From dunking and three-point shooting to block shots, you're one of the top shot blockers in the A-Sun.
And that's always kind of been an aspect of your game.
But what is it about this season where it's really exploded?
I think it's just the mindset I'm coming with this year of just trying to do anything possible about this team.
My three-point shooting hasn't been where I want it to be this year.
And I think I'm taking that in the best way possible and turning it into trying to fill any gap I can in the team right now.
And at this particular point in the season, it's shot-blocking.
So I've had a good stretch here, and hopefully I can keep it going for them.
You certainly have had a great stretch.
95 career block shots.
You're coming up on 100 right now.
And some of those have been, you know, the ones right in the post where you're coming from behind to block it.
There's been some where you've been at the perimeter to block it.
I can remember one at Stetson that you blocked.
And you took it the other way, coast-to-coast.
Are they all equally satisfying?
Or is there one where it's like, okay, if I hit it off the goal, it's a little more satisfying?
Or maybe a perimeter three-point shot?
I've found that when I try and get a satisfying one where I swing hard, I tend to miss.
I'm not as good at those.
Like, Jamal, Jamal's amazing at those.
But I just, I like to stick my hand out there and see if I can't get a piece of it.
And that's where I'm at my best.
I don't think Jamal's had a block where it wasn't a big swing.
He goes for those all the time and he gets them most of the time.
He's the ratless.
Yes.
All right, West Georgia on Wednesday night.
Not to overlook West Georgia, but Sunday we got a big outing against Eastern Kentucky.
ESPNU's coming to town.
You've been a part of every UNA home basketball game since, what, you got here December of 2020, I believe?
That's right.
So you've seen a lot of basketball inside the bank.
You arrived in 2020 to no crowds.
What's it been like seeing the evolution of empty arena to the bank and the vault being born?
Just an unreal feeling to just see that.
You said it's just a distinct change from going from literally nobody, just cardboard cutouts down there with us.
And then to last year, breaking attendance records, you know, leading attendance this year.
It's just been an unreal experience to see the growth and the support from this community.
Yeah, and last thing for me, Dallas, just seeing all the places that we've been.
We were on the road for five straight games, 23 days between home games, and finally be back at home last night.
It just seemed like you guys fed off that energy.
What was it like to finally be back home after that amount of time away?
It was just a great, great feeling.
And, you know, for, like we said, 33 minutes to that game, it felt like we were really giving them something that they could be proud of and support, you know.
And then we let it fall at the end.
But even after going around and shaking their hands, you know, they were just all positive to us.
And it's just, that's what keeps us going.
You know, our next home game, we're going to come out just as hard because of that support, because of that loyalty to us,
regardless of how the results may be, they can see how hard we're fighting for them.
And that's something that we're sticking with.
It's a bounce back Wednesday against West Georgia.
Dallas, as always, we appreciate you stopping by.
And best of luck the rest of this year.
Yes, sir.
Thank you.
That's Dallas Howell of UNA Basketball.
We're going to jump into some UNA Baseball when we come back.
Jad Pragnac joins us next.
This is UNA Basketball Night from Lost Pizza Shoals on 93.9 The Score.
Shoals drop everything.
This is not a drill.
Lost Pizza Company Shoals is running the full court press.
The full court press Cuban sandwich, inspired by Coach Tony Pujol.
This sandwich brings championship flavor, and it's only available at Lost Pizza Company Shoals.
And coming off the bench hot, our brand new buffalo chicken dip.
Creamy, spicy, straight up MVP material.
Run the full court press at Lost Pizza Company Shoals, where every bite beats the buzzer.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now offering soft wave therapy,
effective for osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, foot ulcers, shoulder pain, and more.
We also offer the only Theralight 360 red light therapy beds in the Shoals area,
helping with sleep, energy, recovery, pain, and inflammation.
Therapies coupled with dry kneeling can help with sugar point and muscular pain.
In addition, we also offer genetic testing, deep tissue laser, adjustments, and more.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now open Saturdays to better serve our patients.
Please visit us at burnleychiro.com.
Hi, this is Ike Fowler with Alabama Health Guidance.
Whether you are looking for a Medicare health plan or you are under 65 and exploring individual health care options,
Alabama Health Guidance can help you find the plan that fits your needs.
Our local agents make it simple, so stop by our office at 885 Florence Boulevard
or give us a call at 256-648-5710.
Again, that's 256-648-5710.
Have you ever seen those halftime scholarships where you have to nail a 40-yard field goal?
Yeah, this isn't that.
I didn't have to write a long essay or audition or make a half-court shot.
I just had to open a bank independent account, use my debit card, sign up for online banking, and have a positive balance.
That's it.
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When bank independent invests in students like me, they're investing in all of us and the future of our community.
Bank independent.
We're invested in your future.
Member FDIC.
Hey guys, how long have you been wearing those out-of-date, scratched-up glasses?
This is Dr. Ham Moore with Renaissance Eye Care.
Go ahead and do as the woman in your life has been asking and schedule an eye exam.
You can go to renaissanceeyecare.com or call 767-5000 to see either Dr. Kathy Warner, Dr. Lisa Campbell, or myself.
Everyone knows it's time to evaluate the health of your eyes and get a new pair of glasses.
We can make sure you won't miss any of the action this fall.
And roar lines.
Join us at Singing River Brewery, your local hub for great beer and community fun.
Ready to serve delicious drinks and host amazing events?
Try our Golden Mainer Leo's Roar, and 50% goes to UNA Athletics.
Support your local business and college community while enjoying a fantastic atmosphere.
Don't miss out on the good times.
Don't miss out on the good times.
Come sip, socialize, and savor the taste of Singing River Brewery.
Prohibition is over.
And the good times will flow once again at the Florence Wine Fest, February 20th and 21st.
Friday night sets its own with coupes, cocktails, and velvet smooth live music.
Saturday afternoon, taste your way through an unforgettable wine experience.
Then Saturday night, the city comes alive with the Florence Wine Fest Free Block Party in Concert, featuring Atlanta's great grand finale band.
Free block party tickets and full event details are at FlorenceWineFest.com, proudly presented by Visit the Shoals, with support from CB&S Bank, Clearview Cancer Institute, and the Hotels of Florence.
Well, it's officially baseball season.
Pitchers and catchers reported today in Major League Baseball, but UNA Baseball has been going for a while now.
They open up against SIUE this weekend inside of Mike D. Lane Field at Bank Independence Stadium.
First 200 fans getting opening day t-shirt on Friday.
First 500 fans get a commemorative bat for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
We've got Jab Pratniak in the house next.
And, Coach, before we talk about that, how many outs does your arm have in you?
If you had to go out there and get some outs, former pitcher at Rhode Island.
I'm going, I could give you two outs.
I'm going to hit a guy.
I'm going to walk two guys.
I'm going to give up three runs, but I'll get two outs.
You'll get the two outs.
What's it take to get ready to throw BP now these days?
I don't throw much BP.
I will say my arm from like 30 to 40 feet works good.
Once when I get beyond 50 feet, it's a struggle at this stage.
But I can still crank it up there in the low 70s if I had to.
Very nice.
And then a left-handed pitching coach, right, in Jacob James.
Correct.
So I guess he's probably not throwing a lot of BP either.
He is not.
And his arm slot, I feel like if Jacob threw BP to our hitters, our hitters would be in a slump for a while.
It's a funky arm slot, and that is not an enjoyable at-bat.
Hey, 2026 baseball season is here.
Last year, you didn't have a home to practice in because of the construction.
First 34 games on the road, just what's the feeling been like this year?
I think guys are excited anytime you're getting a new stadium, but on the heels of last year being on the road, there's a buzz.
And it's having a chance to be on campus to practice, and knowing that 11 of our first 12 games will be in Florence, guys are excited.
They're ready to go.
Yeah, eight in a row at home, it's going to be exciting.
Coach, I want to ask you a lot about Bank Independent Stadium, but I don't want to bury the lead because we talked about Ashley Cozart being a national championship coach.
We've got another national championship coach.
Let's go back to that.
Back in the day, Westchester, two national championships.
What is that feeling like when you can hoist a trophy like that?
Those were obviously, I mean, good experiences.
The first one was year one of being a head coach.
So I think running through that season, it was a blur in a lot of ways.
It was a lot of firsts, but having a chance to get to the World Series, and the guys played really well there that week.
And I will say the five years in between, I think my appreciation grew for that 2012 season.
And it just, you kind of have a point somewhere in there where it's, you almost think like, was that the one chance we had to go to the World Series?
But the 2017 team obviously made a run and got there, and it was, I feel like that group gave me an appreciation for what we accomplished before.
Where are the championship rings at?
Bedroom somewhere, somewhere in the bedroom.
So they don't come out too much?
No, I don't.
The one I guessed on my size, it doesn't fit me.
The other one, I got sides for the other one.
So it's, I think I've worn it once, one time.
All right, last year, historic year at the Division I level, made the tournament, won a ball game.
I mean, has this team kind of been fueled by that success last year?
They are.
I think it's a group that experienced some success.
I think they're hungry to get back in a postseason setting.
And I think we have enough new faces where things are fresh and guys are competing with each other.
But I feel like we're in a good spot.
And the message to the team last week was, I think we're ready for opening day.
But the challenge is, we keep getting better every single week.
But I think guys are ready for Friday.
Coach, you got two of your captains here tonight.
Excited to talk to them.
You got another one that we thought was going to be here.
Unfortunately, it's not.
But just talk about this leadership group that you have this year, this core of seniors and what they mean to this team.
Sure.
The two guys that are here, Charlie Cochran and Gavin Oswald, I'll start with Charlie.
So Charlie is the local guy.
So he is a walk-on from Florence.
And Charlie checks every single good box of what you want in a student athlete.
So Charlie is the local guy.
But he has gotten better on the field.
He's made our team better.
And basically, the fact that Charlie grew up around this campus and he's impacting our team in such a positive way, I think it speaks to Charlie and what he does.
But it's all the good things about college athletics, Charlie's attached to that.
And then Gavin Oswald transferred in from Wichita State.
He's only been on campus for a year and a half.
Gavin, it's impressive to me if you've only been on campus for 18 months to be named a captain.
So it's in the current transfer portal era.
You can shape rosters in a lot of ways.
We obviously like to do it with high school guys, but also with transfers.
But in the recruiting process, we had a good feeling about Gavin on the mound.
We heard really good things about personality.
I don't often, I would say, take a ton of stock in what a father says.
No offense to Mr. Oswald about what a father says about their son.
But he told me verbatim, he's like, my son's a leader and my son is like, he just wants a chance for his personality to come out.
And I feel like Gavin's personality has come out for us.
And he's been infectious.
He's been really good on the mound.
And it's the same deal.
I'm proud of both of those guys and what they do for our program.
Petey Kraska, the third captain, all-conference last season.
Division I record for doubles in a year.
We saw power really late.
Redshirt freshman, right?
So he's another young captain.
What's his growth been like?
Same.
So it's the on-the-field success speaks for itself.
And Petey was named a captain.
Similar profile to Gavin.
Personality's a little different, but they share some of the same good qualities as well.
But Petey is, he's infectious and guys gravitate towards him, partly on the performance, but also he understands what's supposed to happen on a baseball field.
And Petey's a big reason why we had success last year and we're going to lean on again this year.
Excited to talk about more of these guys and this battery that we got here today.
But, Coach, let's go into Bacon Independent Stadium.
I kind of put you on the spot in the hallway the other day.
I was like, what are some of your favorite aspects of the stadium?
So let's bring it to this show.
If you had to pick one or two things that you really like that maybe you don't see everywhere, what would you highlight?
I would say the list is growing a little.
So, like, the eyes go to the – I feel like they still go to the Purple Monster, and I think that's a cool charm to have in a college park.
Now that the video board's up and running, those guys are doing a great job with it.
That thing is fun to watch.
They're in the house here, all four of them.
I just gave a point.
I'm sorry.
Yeah, but I know those guys have been putting the work in, and we've seen some samples.
They came out for an inter-squad, but everything looks good.
We're excited to see that.
So those are the two things I would say catch your eye.
One of the underrated things is a bathroom in the dugout.
It's big time, so we made sure that happened.
But just on game day, it's just a nice perk to have that bathroom in the dugout.
So I've really been pestering Dr. Looney about the windows in the press box areas,
and we've got world-class, unbelievable windows.
I think it's a new-released window, too.
You'll start seeing it, top-of-the-line windows.
After that, I asked for a restroom in the broadcast booth, and he said,
hey, you got your windows.
Don't press your luck.
Yeah, you're welcome to use our restroom whenever you want.
All right, Coach, I lost my train of thought there, but it opens up this weekend, and the monster, right?
You guys got to kind of play with it last year.
Do you feel like they have a good feel for it now?
I think so, and it can impact the game in different ways, but I think as practice goes,
and we've had a lot of live reps with it, it's still not perfect because there's some quirks to it,
but I think guys are getting acclimated to it, and I will say last year we had, I think, 11 home games,
and for the most part, I think we managed it well, but I think guys continue to get more comfortable with it
on offense and on defense.
I guess the obvious question here, playing eight straight at home, and what did you say, 11 of the first 12,
how excited are you to not have to go through a lot of the travel things that you did last year?
It is.
The home thing, it's just nice to be at home, especially when it's a brand-new park,
and college baseball records reflect that.
Generally speaking, your winning percentage is going to be higher at home,
so you obviously have the home field advantage, you hit last, you're familiar with the park,
you don't have to travel, and with that all said, we do value going on the road too,
and I think guys will be excited when we get to that road trip.
We'll go down to Ole Miss, and we'll go to Southern Miss right after,
and before conference play, I think it's important we go on the road,
so our first road trip isn't in a conference setting.
Well, Coach, it begins this weekend, Friday, 3 o'clock, SIUE.
Make your plans to come out, as always.
Pay attention on social media for game changes.
It wouldn't be a baseball, softball season if there weren't changes as we navigate that,
but we're super excited to open up Mike D. Lane Field inside a bank-independent stadium
fans that come out and watch the 2026 UNA Lions, what are they going to see?
I think it's going to be a fun product to watch, so I would encourage partly on the ballpark,
I think the ballpark will be cool, but I think the product we put on the field,
I think it's going to be a fun group to watch.
I think we're going to score some runs, we have some high-level pitching,
and I think we have some options to get guys in and out of the game in different spots.
It's a fun group to coach, and watching them, I think it's a talented group,
so I think it's going to be a good group to watch from a fan perspective.
Coach, we can't wait. Thank you much for making some time for us.
Thanks, Mike.
It's UNA Head Baseball Coach, Jad Pratniak.
We'll take a timeout.
We've got the players up next, Gavin Oswald and Charlie Cochran.
This is UNA Basketball Night from All's Pizza Shoals on 93.9 The Score.
Shoals drop everything.
This is not a drill.
Lost Pizza Company Shoals is running the full-court press.
The full-court press Cuban sandwich, inspired by Coach Tony Pujol.
This sandwich brings championship flavor,
and it's only available at Lost Pizza Company Shoals.
And coming off the bench hot, our brand-new buffalo chicken dip.
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Run the full-court press at Lost Pizza Company Shoals,
where every bite beats the buzzer.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now offering soft-wave therapy,
effective for osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, foot ulcers, shoulder pain, and more.
We also offer the only Theralight 360 red light therapy beds in the Shoals area,
helping with sleep, energy, recovery, pain, and inflammation.
Therapies coupled with dry needleing can help with sugar point and muscular pain.
In addition, we also offer genetic testing, deep tissue laser, adjustments, and more.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now open Saturdays to better serve our patients.
Please visit us at burnleychiro.com.
Hi, this is Ike Fowler with Alabama Health Guidance.
Whether you are looking for a Medicare health plan,
or you are under 65 and exploring individual health care options,
Alabama Health Guidance can help you find the plan that fits your needs.
Our local agents make it simple,
so stop by our office at 885 Florence Boulevard
or give us a call at 256-648-5710.
Again, that's 256-648-5710.
Imagine a bank where you feel at home.
Real people living right here in your community are the heart of Bank Independent and everything we do.
You have our commitment to bring the people, ideas, and resources together
that create a stronger community full of endless potential.
For over 75 years, we've served this place we all call home.
Bank Independent.
We're invested in you.
Member FDIC.
Hey guys, how long have you been wearing those out-of-date, scratched-up glasses?
This is Dr. Ham Moore with Renaissance Eye Care.
Go ahead and do as the woman in your life has been asking and schedule an eye exam.
You can go to renaissanceeyecare.com or call 767-5000
to see either Dr. Kathy Werner, Dr. Lisa Campbell, or myself.
Everyone knows it's time to evaluate the health of your eyes and get a new pair of glasses.
We can make sure you won't miss any of the action this fall.
And roar lines.
Join us at Singing River Brewery,
your local hub for great beer and community fun.
Ready to serve delicious drinks and host some amazing events?
Try our Golden Maynard Leo's Roar.
And 50% goes to UNA Athletics.
Support your local business and college community while enjoying a fantastic atmosphere.
Don't miss out on the good times.
Come sip, socialize, and savor the taste of Singing River Brewery.
Got wine?
Offering 10% off six or more bottles of mix-and-match wine
and an unmatched selection of nearly 1,000 different wines to suit any budget,
the Carriage Wine & Market is your one-stop wine and craft beer destination
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Cheers!
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Sports Radio 93.9 The Score.
Valley Broadcasting Corporation.
We've talked it all tonight.
We've talked some UNA basketball, some UNA softball,
and now we're continuing our UNA baseball conversations.
To my left, we've got Charlie Cochran, a redshirt junior catcher,
the hometown hero from right here in Florence, Alabama.
He played at Florence High School.
And then we've got the grad transfer, Gavin Oswald,
the lefty from his second season here from Wildwood, Missouri,
talking some UNA baseball here.
Benjamin Ray, Mike Ezekiel on hand.
And fellas, Gavin, we'll go first with you.
How excited are you for this 2026 baseball season?
Oh, man, I'm fired up.
I'm 23 years old, but I feel like a six-year-old getting ready for Christmas.
You know, like, I'm old, I put my sleep mask on at night,
and I replay the games every, like, before they've even happened.
I'm so excited.
I can just see, like, what it's like to take the field,
the fans, and the stadium.
I'm just, I'm fired up.
How are you feeling, Charlie?
Phenomenal.
I'm ready to get things going.
Having the new field, especially with the old field,
it's just all, everything's coming together, so we're excited for it.
So let's start with the obvious.
Let's talk about big independent stadium
and what fans can expect when they see it on Friday for the first time.
Obviously, the Purple Monster stands out.
There's a lot of other aspects, but personally, what are y'all's favorites?
Charlie, you can start.
What is your favorite part of the field that maybe people don't know about?
I think, obviously, you hit on the Purple Monster,
but I think my favorite, especially looking at it from home plate,
would probably be how the logo pops out in center field.
I think it's a really good touch,
and it makes it just everything coming together.
For me as a pitcher, I like the deck out over our dugout.
I think every stadium, you know, has their seats available to the public,
but that deck where they're on top of the dugout,
it's like the whole momentum is coming from the fans
and the players of one team against the other teams.
We're all coming from the same area.
All right, this is perfect because we've got a pitcher
and we've got a hitter, and you're a catcher as well,
so you can kind of weigh in on that.
But when I spoke with, like, Douglas Hargit,
Trey Mitchell, pitcher, hitter, that they do ESPN games with,
we used to argue about the old Mike.
Was it a hitter's park or a pitcher's park?
And the pitcher said it was a hitter's park.
The hitter said it was a pitcher's park.
So you, Mike D. Lane, filled a bank-independent stadium.
Hitter's park, pitcher's park will let the pitcher go first.
I'd say the majority of the field is a pitcher's park.
Until you get to left field, then it's a little bit of a hitter-friendly atmosphere there.
But to center field and right field, definitely, those are my friends.
I'd probably have to say it's a pitcher's park, especially if now,
if we have the wind blowing out a certain way, it's definitely easier for us,
especially righties, to pull a ball to get it over that purple monster.
But I'd have to go with Gavin.
I'd say it's a pitcher's park.
So how many times, Deere and BP, do the righties get up there
and they're just going for the monster?
Well, we try to keep it a little disciplined, obviously, with our practice plan,
staying, like, what we have to work on.
But you definitely have the guys that are a little hungry to hit it over that purple monster,
especially try and hit it over that screen, see if they can get it in the parking lot.
Back to the first BP, when you guys got out there for the first time last spring,
were guys just going for it?
And do you remember who hit the first one, maybe?
I couldn't tell you who hit the first one, but I do know everyone was super excited.
I think that was probably the most amount of crazy swings I've ever seen.
Yeah, I couldn't remember either.
We'll start with you, Gavin, on this one.
Playing in it last year, obviously, it was kind of a skeleton-type stadium.
Fans were watching from the church parking lot above.
But now you're going to have full stands, a full crowd, a full stadium to play in.
Talk about some of the experiences you guys had last year
and how it's going to be more complete this year and how that feels.
Last year, coming out of the bullpen, you know, you see people out to the right
and in left field as I'm running out there.
But when I got out there, it was kind of different.
You know, you go to on the weekends, we travel to other places,
and they're behind the dish.
And most of the time, all I could hear was behind me.
And this year, running out and you see a crowd in front of you,
it's just, I'm going to feel like I'm sprinting to the mound
because that adrenaline rush, that excitement to get out there in front of those fans
that I can see in front of me, it's like no other.
Charlie, you've got interesting perspective because you grew up here in the Shoals area.
I imagine you grew up going to camp at Mike Lane Field.
I imagine you took some BP at the old park, right?
Yes, sir.
So what's it like now when you're in the new park and you're standing at the plate
and you're looking back towards campus?
You've got the football stadium, the dorms.
Is it breathtaking as a player?
It truly is.
And I think, especially when the football gets all finished,
I think it's really going to tie everything together, let alone just to see,
especially when we have the sun go down at practices and whatnot,
to see those dorms in the background and the football, what it's going to turn into.
I think overall, where we've come from and to what we have now is phenomenal.
The first eight games are going to be at home.
Eleven of the first twelve will be at home.
And last year it was really tough where you guys had to go on the road
even for some home games, quote-unquote, where you're going to Birmingham,
you're going to Pearl, Mississippi, you're going all over the place.
What's it like now knowing, okay, we're going to be in our own beds
for 11 of these first 12 and we're bringing teams to Florence
instead of having to travel to play?
I think it's cool because we get to set a foundation.
Our home is ours now.
We get to say, when you come to Florence, you're not beating UNA.
We're comfortable here.
We've practiced here.
Even when we're off the field, this is where all of us are comfortable
and it allows us to perform at our best.
So when you come to Florence here, we mean business here
and we get to set that tone early.
Charlie, anything to add to that?
I'd have to agree with everything Gavin said.
I mean, to have a home field, especially how much we traveled,
and we dealt with the home games in Birmingham, home games in Mississippi,
but to actually have a place we can put our stuff
and kind of relax a little bit, not have to worry about traveling so much,
I think that's going to be the best for every single one of us.
Gavin, a season ago, the closer, right?
You finished with four saves, seventh most in the A-Sun, 27 innings, 28 strikeouts,
seven saves.
I know you had some big ones.
Do you have a favorite one?
Oh, man.
Believe it or not, not at home.
That Central Arc game, that was a lot of fun.
Coming into the seventh inning, you know, it was the first time at UNA that I was able to let it loose.
You know, I gave a big scream coming off the mound and I was like, man, I'm comfortable here.
I'm allowed.
I'm not allowed.
I'm able to perform to the best of my ability because I am comfortable here.
If I want to let it out, I can let it out.
You know, just knowing that my entire team was behind me from then on just made the season so much easier for me.
Now, have you always been a closer?
I have not.
I started actually for my first two years in junior college and then I came here.
And the mindset's a little different, but it's cool, you know, that adrenaline rush is awesome.
And knowing that when I go out there, I'm closing it down.
They get to mess with me last and that's kind of fun.
That's what I wanted to ask you next was what's been the difference from that starting pitching focus to the closing focus?
The mindset's a little different.
Like, when I was starting, I knew I had to be prepped for 100 pitches, so I couldn't let it fly in inning one.
I could if I needed to, but I knew that was going to kind of bite me in the fifth inning.
But now when I come in for one to two innings, I just let it fly.
Everything I got, you're getting everything I have.
And I know that if I'm performing and letting it fly, I don't have to be ready for a third inning because you're not going to score.
Just going in with that mindset of come and get it, that's been a little different for me, but I love it.
I remember the Central Arkansas game you're referring to.
I remember watching that one.
It was great and your reaction at the end.
Charlie, my next question, you can start and then Gavin.
Just to hear Coach Pragnac come up and talk about how you guys are two of the three leaders, you are the captains, and to know that your teammates view you that way and they have that respect for you, that your coaching staff believes in you that way.
What does it mean to you to hear that and to be in that role this season?
I think it's, I mean, honestly, it's just gratitude.
I'm really grateful that the guys and the coaches see us the way they do and they put us in that role.
I'm just, it puts us in a spot where we're always trying to give our best fit forward, know what it takes, what you have to show up to the field with every single day.
So that's what I'm most excited about.
It's honestly just like a complete blessing, you know, it makes me 100% comfortable with the field knowing how my peers think of me and being able to work alongside the coaching staff and just, I love it.
I love showing up to the field every day knowing, man, these guys, you know, the respect and all that is just, it's awesome.
Playing for Jad Pratniak, what's it like?
What's the best part about it?
I think the best part about it is he's always going to root for your guys.
The trust he gives with every single one of us is through the roof and I've known that since the day he got on campus that he's going to root for you.
He's going to expect 100% out of you and that's what you want out of a coach.
Yeah, he's got my back 100%, which is awesome.
You know, when I'm on the mound, a good pitch, bad pitch, good day, bad day, I know he's got my back.
I know off the field afterwards where he's going to take care of me and, you know, we're going to attack the next day like nothing happened, good or bad.
We're just going to move forward and win the battles that we can moving forward.
And while he's here, Nick Patton's in the house as well, associate head coach, announced today and some other additions to the coaching staff.
Jacob James, a guy that you guys played with, now being the full-time pitching coach in that role and leading that group.
Just talk about those guys that are back and J.D. Davis that we added and just his coaching staff as a whole.
I think I can hit on Coach Patty.
I mean, it's nothing better to have an offensive coach that wants you to get better every single day and especially will celebrate you whenever we do succeed.
I think that's the greatest thing about Coach Patty.
And I'm especially excited about Coach J.D.
I think he fits in with us perfectly.
I think since the first practice he got on campus, he was ready to go, ready to get things going.
And, of course, J.J.
J.J. will always be J.J. in my eyes.
And it's kind of tough because I've got to make sure that I call him coach before I call him J.J.
But I think what we have as a whole is going to be really good.
Hitting on Coach Patty first, it's awesome for me because he's so knowledgeable in the game that as a pitcher, obviously he talks with the hitters more often.
But as a pitcher, I can go up to him and say, hey, what are you seeing?
From a hitter's perspective, where can I improve on the mound to either hide pitches better, move better, sequence better?
And he helps me out even though folks with the hitters more.
As a pitcher, I benefit a ton from having him around.
And then Coach J.J., I actually didn't get to play with him.
He was here the year before I got here, but I heard he was a gamer.
He was a competitor, and I think that's translated into his coaching abilities.
And he's an intense guy when he has to be, but he also is a good enough personality where the guys are super comfortable around him.
So I think the transition's been awesome.
All right, fellas, let's wrap it up with two quick questions.
Gavin, you've got the nice goatee.
Charlie, you've got the mustache rocking.
You think of baseball players, and facial hair comes to mind.
And I'm going up and down the roster online.
There's some guys with some great mustaches, some beards, some goatees.
Is there any inspiration behind the facial hair on this team, and who might have the best?
I think I don't necessarily know about any inspiration now.
I haven't had those conversations about who wears particular facial hair for a certain reason.
If I had to say my favorite all around, especially how he shapes, it would probably have to go to Alex Wade.
And why is that?
I think that's the prime facial hair you want out of a collegiate baseball player.
It's hard to beat.
Yeah.
I can agree with Wade there.
I haven't heard of a specific inspiration for why a lot of our guys have facial hair, but I agree with Wade there.
Wade, I'm a fan of facial hair, obviously.
Mike as well.
And you guys got the pinstripes, so it just feels right seeing facial hair with pinstripes.
That's a deep-cut joke, you know, Yankees can't have facial hair, so it's good to see.
All right, guys, season coming up this weekend.
How excited are you?
What can fans expect inside a bank-independent stadium?
They can expect us to play full force 100%.
I think everyone on this team is ready to go, and we're excited to have actual people in this ballpark.
We're excited to see how loud it can get as well.
Yeah, I mean, we're pumped up.
But I think the expectation for this weekend is just a bunch of guys that go out there and compete,
a bunch of warriors that go 100% all the time.
That's been our motto for a while, and that's kind of our MO heading into the season,
just go out there and win every pitch, every second, every moment.
The rest takes care of itself.
Fellas, the community is fired up for some baseball.
Appreciate both of you guys stopping by.
Yes, sir.
Thank you.
That's Patton Oswalt and Charlie Cochran.
We'll take one more time out.
North Alabama head basketball coach Tony Pujol swings by to wrap up this show.
He's our closer tonight.
This is U&A Basketball Night from Lost Pizza Shoals on 93.9 The Score.
Shoals drop everything.
This is not a drill.
Lost Pizza Company Shoals is running the full court press.
The full court press Cuban sandwich inspired by Coach Tony Pujol.
This sandwich brings championship flavor, and it's only available at Lost Pizza Company Shoals.
And coming off the bench hot, our brand-new buffalo chicken dip.
Creamy, spicy, straight-up MVP material.
Run the full court press at Lost Pizza Company Shoals, where every bite beats the buzzer.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now offering soft wave therapy, effective for osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, foot ulcers, shoulder pain, and more.
We also offer the only Theralight 360 red light therapy beds in the Shoals area, helping with sleep, energy, recovery, pain, and inflammation.
Therapies coupled with dry needling can help with sugar point and muscular pain.
In addition, we also offer genetic testing, deep tissue laser, adjustments, and more.
Burnley Spine and Sport Chiropractic is now open Saturdays to better serve our patients.
Please visit us at burnleychiro.com.
Hi, this is Ike Fowler with Alabama Health Guidance.
Whether you are looking for a Medicare health plan or you are under 65 and exploring individual health care options,
Alabama Health Guidance can help you find the plan that fits your needs.
Our local agents make it simple, so stop by our office at 885 Florence Boulevard
or give us a call at 256-648-5710.
Again, that's 256-648-5710.
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Hey guys, how long have you been wearing those out-of-date, scratched-up glasses?
This is Dr. Hamp Moore with Renaissance Eye Care.
Go ahead and do as the woman in your life has been asking and schedule an eye exam.
You can go to renaissanceeyecare.com or call 767-5000.
To see either Dr. Kathy Warner, Dr. Lisa Campbell, or myself.
Everyone knows it's time to evaluate the health of your eyes and get a new pair of glasses.
We can make sure you won't miss any of the action this fall.
And roar lines.
Join us at Singing River Brewery.
Your local hub for great beer and community fun.
Ready to serve delicious drinks and host amazing events?
Try our Golden Mainer Leo's Roar.
And 50% goes to UNA Athletics.
Support your local business and college community while enjoying a fantastic atmosphere.
Don't miss out on the good times.
Come sip, socialize, and savor the taste of Singing River Brewery.
Prohibition is over.
And the good times will flow once again at the Florence Wine Fest, February 20th and 21st.
Friday night sets its own with coops, cocktails, and velvet smooth live music.
Saturday afternoon, taste your way through an unforgettable wine experience.
Then Saturday night, the city comes alive with the Florence Wine Fest Free Block Party in Concert,
featuring Atlanta's great grand finale band.
Free block party tickets and full event details are at FlorenceWineFest.com.
Proudly presented by Visit the Shoals, with support from CB&S Bank,
Clearview Cancer Institute, and the Hotels of Florence.
Here we go.
We got our closer, the big dog, Tony Pujols in the house.
Here at UNA Basketball Night from Los Pizza Shoals on 93.9.
The score, Benjamin Ray, Mikey Ezekiel with him as well.
And coach, it's crossover season.
We've been talking some UNA baseball, some UNA softball.
Former college baseball player right here, Tony Pujols.
Take us back to your playing days.
Wow.
Okay, so again, son of two Cuban immigrants.
My dad played baseball in Cuba.
Played for the Havana Sugar Cane, which is like a AAA baseball team in the U.S.
So I grew up, I was playing t-ball at the age of four.
Played throughout my whole elementary, middle school, high school.
But it was in the sixth grade, Coach Billy Long, my P teacher at Coral Way Elementary, said,
hey, come on out here and let me, let's do a basketball workout.
And I don't know what happened.
I got the fever.
I got the, I got hooked.
And the rest was history.
But I always kept playing because my dad coached me throughout my youth and had an opportunity to go to college and play both sports,
play baseball and basketball.
And I truly, truly enjoyed that experience.
Now, what kind of player would you be for Jad Pragniak?
Oh, pitcher.
First base.
I'd be like maybe fifth, fifth in the rotation.
All right.
So, yeah.
Yeah.
Now, I'll tell you one thing.
Obviously, the great thing about Coach is just the way that he's already changed the culture, what he's brought.
And you could see his trajectory is just kind of, it's constantly climbing.
So, the work he's put in has been tremendous.
And you've got to give a lot of credit to him, his staff, as well as his players.
And then Ashley Cozart, you've been around a lot of great coaches in your career.
I know when you got here, she was one of the first coaches you worked to build a relationship with.
Culture, culture.
She was straight culture.
And you could already see it was in place.
And that's why the success from Division II to Division I was seamless for her.
You know, obviously, Coach Jad, he's had to kind of build it.
And, man, he's built it, right?
I think he's gained a lot of respect within the A-Sun, but also respect around the nation.
So, I'm so looking forward to seeing these guys in the spring.
Coach, I always go back to the Northwest Shoals games that we played over, I guess, Austin Peay and how you were celebrating with the guys and how they're at your games as well and giving you that home court advantage.
What does it mean to you to be at a campus that knows that, hey, they're going to come to your games and your guys are going to be at their games too?
Yeah, so I threw out the first pitch.
The ball's in my car.
So, and it was Coach Jad that told me to come out and throw it.
I think he wanted to kind of rub it in on Austin Peay.
And, by the way, it was the only time Austin Peay last year got beat in a series.
We beat them two to one.
We were the only team that did that last year.
So, again, a lot of credit goes to the guys and the way they competed.
But as far as, like, the way the students and the coaches, you know, the way that we kind of support one another,
I think a lot of that stems from our leadership.
I think Dr. Looney, again, it's all about culture for him.
And I think he installed that real early.
And what he did was, in the hiring process, he brought people in that understood what it means to be a part of an athletic culture.
So, I think it's easy for all of us to just root for one another because that's what it's all about.
We're all in the same boat.
That's what it's all about, indeed.
And, Coach, let's back up last night.
Central Arkansas, I know just a hard loss for this team right now.
It's just been working so hard to try to get that W.
And Central Arkansas second in the standings right now.
Led for 33, 35 minutes, something like that.
I mean, what can this team take away from that as we push towards the end of the season?
Yeah, you know, I have a smile and I'm kind of laughing.
But, believe me, there's a lot of hurt behind that.
Oh, yeah.
But, you know, to me, the way I look at that game, we were up 13, led for 34 minutes, like you said, 35.
And I gave a lot of credit to Cameron Hunter, the player from Central Arkansas.
He's somebody that, obviously, we know very well.
And, you know, he carried his team down the stretch.
And you've got to tip your hat when a player does that.
And I did.
I was fortunate to see him in the handshake line.
And I told him that.
I told him, way to carry your team.
That showed a lot of character from you guys and what Coach Shulman's been able to build there.
I felt for my guys because I thought our guys did a lot of things the right way.
It just didn't kind of pan out for us down the stretch.
But, you know, for us, you know, today was a new day.
And no rest for the weary.
We've got West Georgia tomorrow, so we've got to get ready to go.
And that's the focus.
And that's the mindset.
No rest for the weary, as you said.
And, Coach, there was something you said in the press conference last night that really stuck with me.
Even today, I was just thinking about it in the car.
You said that you've coached a lot of basketball over the years.
And it's taught you a lot of lessons.
But the one thing is it can do two things.
It can make you humble or you'll get humbled.
And I probably butchered that a little bit.
But do you care to expand on that a little bit for some minutes?
That's what this game does, right?
We talk to our guys constantly about humility, right?
Be thankful.
I'll give you a great example.
You've got coaches here supporting one another.
But you've also got fans.
And these aren't fair weather fans.
These are fans that want to go through the experience with every program, good or bad.
They want to be a part of that experience.
And to me, that's humbling.
We tell our guys that as well.
Like, every time the game ends, win or lose, we're going to shake hands with all our supporters.
Because they're a part of this journey too.
And I truly believe it.
If you're not a humble person in athletics, you're going to get humbled.
And that's why I always say to our guys that the humility has got to be something that we've got to always carry.
Because, yeah, sometimes it doesn't go your way and you're going to have to fight through stuff.
So, just make sure you're humble in everything that you do.
The journey continues tomorrow night against West Georgia.
They'll come into town.
It's really one of the better teams in the A-Sun.
They've been very good.
And, Coach, not to overlook that one, but Sunday, big game against Eastern Kentucky.
Three o'clock, ESPNU.
And, Coach, what is so significant about this Sunday game, they're not coming to CB&S Bank Arena because of last year's success.
Last year's team was good.
They're coming because of what this community has done the last three years in that building.
Your programs are in this game on ESPNU.
But this Scholes area community is in this game as well.
100%.
100%.
I mean, leading the league in attendance the last two years.
And right now, probably set themselves up for three straight years.
So, you know, my thing is this community has earned that.
Again, these fans are different.
They're not fair-weather fans.
They're fans that come out and support these young men.
They really, truly love their university.
They love the young men and women that are competing.
You know, they're just amazing.
That's what makes the Scholes area, that's what makes Florence and this area so special, right?
It's just a great quality of folks that truly support athletics at the university.
Hey, Coach, after you play five road games in a row, you're 23 days in between home games.
I'm sure it makes you that much more appreciative to be back at home on a night like last night.
Man, I'll tell you, I've never been in a league where I've played, where we've played five straight road games.
I've never been a part of anything like that.
And I'm sure the guys, that wasn't much fun, you know, constantly being on the road.
You know, so, yeah, you better believe we're going to enjoy the heck out of this next week and a half, two weeks that we're here.
And now it's, you know, like I said, it's time to focus in on West Georgia tomorrow night.
West Georgia inside of the bank, 6 p.m.
Then Sunday, Eastern Kentucky.
Very busy time.
Coach will be doing some production meetings with ESPNU.
We got the baseball grand opening this weekend as well.
Certainly an exciting time to be on the campus of the University of North Alabama.
Coach, parting shot.
What's the message to the team as they get ready to embark on this final push?
Yeah, I think right now, you know, the goals are still there for us to go get.
The goal's always been to win the ESPN tournament.
And that, we're fortunate to be a part of that tournament.
So, you know, now it's about our guys just continuing to build, gain some, hopefully we can gain some momentum going into the tournament.
So, that's going to be our focus.
Our focus is going to strictly be one game at a time and let's get, let's just build momentum going into the, into the ASUN tournament down in Jacksonville.
Coach, we're ready for it.
We're ready for tomorrow night.
We're ready for next Sunday.
We appreciate the time as always.
Thank you.
Roar Lions.
Roar Lions.
It was a fun crossover episode of UNA Basketball Night.
Candy Whitaker and the UNA Women will be back with us next week.
They're on the road Wednesday at West Georgia.
Thank you to Ashley Cozart, Bailey Rouse, Laura Lee Wheeler, Dallas Howell, Jad Prattney, Gavin Oswald, Charlie Cochran, and, of course, Tony Pujol for turning out.
Thanks to Braden Grant, Eli Tai in the house for Blair back at the station, Mike Ezekiel, Benjamin Ray saying Roar Lions.
You've been listening to UNA Basketball Night at Lost Pizza Company featuring Coach Candy Whitaker and Coach Tony Pujol.
Basketball Night has been brought to you by Lost Pizza, Bank Independent, Burnley Spine and Sport, Renaissance Eye Care, The Carriage Wine and Market, Alabama Health Guidance, and Singing River Brewery.
Thanks for listening and Roar Lions.