CLEVELAND, Ga. - The IU Kokomo baseball team opened the 2024 season this weekend at Truett McConnell, dropping three of four before winning game four 8-7 to end the weekend on a good note.

Game 1: 16-6 Loss

• Despite scoring the first run of the game in the top of the first, Truett McConnell responded with seven unanswered runs to lead 7-1 after two innings.
• The Cougars scored two in the third and one in the fourth to trail 7-4 through 3 & 1/2.
• The Bears answered with nine runs across the next three innings to take a 16-4 lead into the seventh.
• Newcomers Mike Talesky and Gavin Clayton each hit solo-shots in the top of the seventh to start their IU Kokomo career strong, but the Cougars ultimately fell 16-6.
• Three IU Kokomo freshmen made their collegiate debut on the mound in game one.

Game 2: 11-4 Loss

• Once again, the Cougs scored the first run of the game in game two, as Derek Seigneur singled to right, scoring Talesky for a 1-0 lead in the top of the second.
• As they did well all weekend, Truett scored 10 unanswered runs to take a commanding 10-1 lead through four.
• Alex Janke, Tucker Platt, and Kasey Ross all had run-scoring hits in the top of the fifth, as the Cougs pushed three across to trail 10-4.
• The Bears would add a run and keep IUK scoreless, closing out an 11-4 game two win.
• Connor Hurt pitched the final 2.1 innings for the Cougars, allowing one earned run on two hits and a walk while striking out one.

Game 3: 5-1 Loss

• Unlike the first two games, Truett McConnell struck first in game three. They scored a single run in each of the first two innings to lead 2-0.
• Gavin Smith scored IU Kokomo's lone run of the game in the third, reaching base via hit-by-pitch before eventually scoring on a passed ball.
• The Bears pitching staff shut out the Cougars the rest of the way, closing out a 5-1 TMU victory.
• Justin Bultemeier got the start in his first action as a Cougar, surrendering 10 hits and allowing four earned runs for the loss.
• Jack Bruington also made his IU Kokomo debut on the bump, tossing an inning of scoreless relief.

Game 4: 8-7 Win

• After a scoreless first two innings, IU Kokomo opened the floodgates with five in the third. Smith scored on another passed ball before three more came across the plate on a base-hit to right field by Dylan Steele. Jarod Gillespie tripled to center field, scoring Steele to cap off a five-run third inning.
• The Cougars would add a pair in the fourth, as Riley Garczynski walked and scored on a Jacob Medvescek sac-fly before Alex Janke stole home to make it a 7-0 IUK lead.
• Truett McConnell refused to let the game slip away however, as they scored a run in the fourth and six in the fifth to tie the game 7-7 through five innings.
• Thomas Obergfell doubled with one out in the top of the seventh before Luke Hanson came through one batter later with a single to left, scoring Obergfell and giving the Cougars an 8-7 lead.
• Three outs away from the first W of the season, Victor Fujiu slammed the door on the Bears, handing IUK an 8-7 game-four win to avoid the sweep.
• Logan Greer got the start on the mound for his first appearance at IU Kokomo. Greer impressed, tossing four innings of one run ball to give the Cougars a chance at their first win of the year.
• Victor Fujiu was dynamite in his 2.1 innings of relief, getting the Cougars out of a jam in the sixth before scoreless sixth and seventh innings gave him the win in relief. Fujiu struck out three while walking one and surrendering one hit. 

Weekend Leaders

• Tucker Platt hit .385 with five hits in 13 AB's, including a pair of doubles and a triple to go along with two RBI.
• Riley Garczynski and Thomas Obergfell each had four hits on the weekend, while also hitting above .300.
• Luke Hanson made the most of his game four start behind the plate, going 3-3 with three singles and an RBI.
• 15 Cougars recorded a hit on opening weekend, a sign of depth on a team that will look to compete for a River States Conference title this spring.

The Cougars will head to Tennessee next weekend for a four-game set at #6 Tennessee Wesleyan, with doubleheader's scheduled for both Friday and Saturday afternoon.

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.