LEBANON, Tenn. - The IU Kokomo baseball team headed south this weekend to open up the 2025 campaign with a four-game set at Cumberland University (Tenn.). After Cumberland won game one 11-3, the Cougars bounced back in a big way, winning game two 18-5.

All four games on the weekend are scheduled seven-inning games.

First year Cougar outfielder Mason Janz, a junior transfer from Northwest Florida State, shined bright in his first dose of NAIA baseball. Janz recorded a pair of three-hit games, slashing for four singles and a pair of two-baggers.

Veteran RHP Justin Bultemeier got the start in game two for IU Kokomo, earning the win after tossing five complete innings of two-run ball.

Game One: 11-3 Loss

• IU Kokomo got on the board first in game one, as Brayden Coffey reached via error, advanced to third on a Noah Wolf fly-out, and scored on his cousin Judah Hennessy's RBI ground-out.
• Cumberland answered in the bottom half of the frame, pushing six runs across the plate to take control of the season opener with four innings to play.
• The Phoenix would add two more runs in the fourth and three additional insurance runs in the sixth, taking an 11-1 lead into the seventh.
• Pinch-hitting to lead off the inning, Garrett Lupoi worked a walk before Payton Hankins delivered a two-out, two-run bomb in his first IU Kokomo at-bat, making it an 11-3 ballgame.

        Pitching Lines:

• Senior LHP JT Holton got the ball to open the season, surrendering seven earned runs while striking out six and walking two.
• Brett Huiner relieved Holton in the fourth, allowing two earned runs on four hits, striking out a man.
• Luke McDonald would pitch the sixth for the Cougars, giving up one earned run on a pair of hits.

Game Two: 18-5 Win

• Mason Janz led off game two with a double down the left-field line, picking up where he left off in game one. Janz would score on a Kasey Ross sacrifice-fly, giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead through a half inning.
• Justin Bultemeier pitched around a leadoff double in the bottom of the inning, retiring 2-3-4 in order to strand the runner in scoring position.
• After a scoreless second for both teams, the Cougars hung a four-spot in the third. Janz singled to lead off the inning before stealing second and third, scoring on a throwing error.
• With two outs in the frame and the bases empty, Ross was HBP in front of a walk worked by Jacob Medvescek, paving the way for a three-run blast by Brayden Coffey. IU Kokomo led 5-0 through two and a half.
• Cumberland managed to scratch a run across in the third, cutting the Cougar lead to four with four innings remaining.
• The IU Kokomo offensive outburst proved to be far from over, as the Cougars put up five runs in both the fourth and fifth innings.
• Janz delivered an RBI single in the inning after courtesy-runner Garrett Lupoi scored via error, but the biggest blow of the inning came off the bat of Medvescek. Medvescek followed Coffey's lead, hitting a three-run shot to make it a 10-1 IU Kokomo lead.
• Just as they did in the third, the Phoenix would push a single run across in the fourth to trail 10-2.
• Looking to put the nail in the coffin, Interim Head Coach Jeremy Honaker's squad worked four walks while being hit twice in the fifth, scoring four insurance runs on just two hits to lead 15-2 through four and a half.
• IU Kokomo pushed three more across the plate in the sixth, leading 18-2.
• Cumberland would score three in the seventh, but it was too little too late, as the Cougars cruised to an 18-5 win.

Pitching Lines:

• As mentioned, Justin Bultemeier made the start for IUK in game two. Bultemeier allowed just two earned runs on four hits and three free passes, striking out six to earn the win.
• Tyler Hensch tossed the final two innings out of the pen, surrendering three runs on three hits and three walks. Hensch struck out a pair.

Other Notable Performances:

• Anthony Nino, Mike Talesky, and Caden Whitehead each recorded a pair of hits on the day. 
• Janz and Lupoi both scored four runs apiece between the two games.
• 12 different Cougars reached base safely on the day.

The Cougars and Phoenix will square off twice more Sunday, closing out the opening weekend of play for both programs. First pitch for Sunday's doubleheader is set for 12:00 PM ET at Woody Hunt Stadium.

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.