NEW ALBANY, Ind. - The IU Kokomo baseball team dropped Friday's series opener at IU Southeast, as the Grenadiers outlasted the Cougars 11-9. IU Kokomo moves to 11-8 overall and 3-1 in River States Conference play.

Offensively

• IU Southeast struck first with a two-run homer in the bottom of the second for an early 2-0 lead.
• The Cougars got on the scoreboard with five runs in the top of the fourth. The first three batters of the inning reached and Luke Barnes came through with a 2-RBI single. Thomas Obergfell had a 2-RBI double in the inning and Nolan Bowser had an RBI-single. IU Kokomo led 5-2 after the top of the fourth.
• The Grenadiers responded immediately with four runs on two hits to retake a 6-5 lead.
• Barnes reached on error to lead off the sixth and advanced to second on a wild pitch before moving to third on a sacrifice from Obergfell. Barnes would score on a ground-ball off the bat of Riley Garczynski to tie the game at 6-6.
• Jarod Gillespie had an RBI-double in the top of the seventh, scoring Gavin Smith who was running for Jonathan Latham. Gillespie would score an unearned run on a ground-ball that resulted in an E6 off the bat of Barnes. Leverenz scored on an RBI fielder's choice off the bat of Obergfell. Cougars led 9-6 after the top of the seventh.
• The Grenadiers immediately answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning, regaining a one run lead at 10-9.
• IU Southeast added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth and would close out an 11-9 win.

Pitching

• Ben Harris got the game one start and took the no-decision, tossing 3.2 innings. Harris allowed six earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five.
• Dylan Steele was the first Cougar out of the pen and he tossed 2.1 innings and allowed no earned runs. Steele walked none, surrendered one hit, and struck out a batter.
• Mason Whiteley took the loss in relief to fall to 0-1 on the year, throwing 0.1 innings and giving up four earned runs on three hits and one walk.
• Brandon Bultemeier tossed the final 1.2 innings, surrendering an unearned run on two hits and a walk while striking out a man.

The Cougars will return to the diamond in New Albany Saturday for the final two games of the series. First pitch of game one is set for 12:00 PM ET.

For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.