BECKLEY, WV. - The Indiana University Kokomo baseball team completed a second-consecutive River States Conference series sweep Sunday afternoon in West Virginia, where a run in the eighth propelled the Cougars past WVU Tech to tie a program-best win-streak.

The team's current nine game win-streak ties the program record for consecutive wins set by the 2019 squad.

IU Kokomo pushed a run across in the top of the first to take an early lead, as Alex Janke doubled to left-center before Tucker Platt singled him in for a 1-0 lead. 

The Cougars would add on in the second, as Tahj Borom and Riley Garczynski each reached then scored on yet another Platt RBI-single, giving the Cougars a 3-0 lead. 

The Golden Bears of WVU Tech immediately answered with a two-spot in the bottom of the second, cutting the deficit to one at 3-2 through two frames.

WVU Tech pushed another run across in the third to tie the game at three apiece.

Both squads were kept off the scoreboard again until the sixth, where IU Kokomo pushed two runs across the plate. Jarod Gillespie led off the frame with a double, and pinch runner Judah Hennessy would score on a Thomas Obergfell double. Freshman shortstop Braden Coffey singled Obergfell in to make it 5-3 IUK.

The Golden Bears scored a pair of runs on two hits and an error in the seventh, tying the game at five through seven complete.

The game did not remain tied for long however, as Dylan Janke tripled to centerfield before his courtesy runner Garrett Lupoi scored on another Coffey RBI-single, giving IU Kokomo a lead they would not relinquish.

Pitching Notables

• Mason Whiteley got the start on the mound for the Cougars, tossing three and a third while taking home the no decision. Whiteley's final line: 3.1 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, BB, 4 K.
• Blake Kimball entered in relief in the fourth with runners on the corners and one away, getting the Cougars out of the inning to keep the game tied 3-3.
• After Kimball recorded the first out of the fifth, Connor Hurt was the next man out of the IUK bullpen. Hurt recorded a pair of outs while allowing one hit. 
• Ben Harris got the ball ahead of the sixth, as he would pitch the sixth and seventh to earn the win (2-3). Harris's final line: 3 H, 2 ER, HBP, 2 K.
• Alec Murphy was dynamite in his two innings of relief Sunday, earning his first collegiate save. Murphy allowed one hit in his two innings of work while striking out four men and giving the Golden Bears no signs of life.

The Cougars will return home where they are set to welcome Oakland City to Kokomo Municipal Stadium next weekend in a battle between two contenders in the RSC West.

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.