STERLINGTON, La. - The IU Kokomo baseball team closed out play at the 2025 Cajun Collision Saturday, falling to both #14 Central Methodist (Mo.) and LSU Alexandria in extra innings. All four games on the weekend were scheduled seven inning games.

Game One: 14-10 Loss (Eight Innings)

• #14 Central Methodist found the scoreboard early and often, scoring three runs in both the first and second innings to take a 6-0 lead.
• The Eagles were held scoreless until the sixth inning, as IU Kokomo was the next to score.
• Trailing 6-0 in the bottom of the fourth, catcher Anthony Nino hit a solo home-run to right centerfield, getting the Cougars on the scoreboard.
• Gavin Smith would follow Nino with a single through the left side, eventually stealing second and moving to third via a throwing error before scoring on a Luke Hanson RBI groundout.
• Now trailing 6-2, the Cougars would score four more to even things at six in the bottom of the fifth. Noah Wolf walked before Kasey Ross singled, setting the stage for the first of three home runs for Jacob Medvescek on the day. 
• After Medvescek's three-run shot with one out, Mike Talesky followed with a solo-shot of his own, making it back-to-back jacks and a tie ballgame at 6-6 heading into the sixth.
• CMU retook an 8-6 lead in the top of the sixth with two runs on two hits.
• Hanson walked to open the home-half of the fifth, leading to a two-run homer from sophomore Judah Hennessy, tying the game at eight.
• Ross drew a two-out walk later in the inning ahead of Medvescek, as he blasted his second home run of the game to give IU Kokomo their first lead at 10-8 heading into the seventh.
• With two outs and the game-tying runs both in scoring position for the 14th ranked Eagles, CMU's Josh Prewett doubled to even the score at ten before the Cougars got out of the inning.
• After failing to walk it off in the bottom of the seventh, Central Methodist scored four runs on two hits and an error to take a 14-10 lead into the bottom of the eighth.
• Two consecutive 4-3 ground-ball outs began the bottom of the eighth, before Medvescek laced a double off the centerfield wall. The #14 Eagles would record the final out one batter later, escaping with a 14-10 win over IU Kokomo.

Pitching Lines:

• Mason Whiteley got the start, working just one complete while surrendering six runs (five earned) on five hits and a walk, striking out one.
• AJ Burkhalter relieved Whiteley in the second, going on to toss four and two thirds. Burkhalter was in control for most of his outing, allowing a two-run homer to the final man he faced in the sixth. AJ gave up just three hits while walking none and striking out five.
• Ethan Leslie took a the tough loss in his second appearance of the season, allowing four earned runs on two hits and two free passes, striking out one.
• LHP Brett Huiner made his second appearance of the weekend, recording the final two outs of the eighth while giving up an unearned run on one hit.

Game Two: 8-6 Loss (Nine Innings)

• Unlike the first three games of the weekend, IU Kokomo struck first in the weekend finale.
• Brayden Coffey was HBP to lead off the game before Kasey Ross reached via error, setting the stage for a double steal that put both Coffey and Ross in scoring position with just one out. Anthony Nino doubled down the left-field line, scoring both Coffey and Ross. Nino would then score one batter later, as Luke Hanson continued his strong weekend with an RBI single for a 3-0 Cougar lead.
• After committing an error of their own in the top of the first, LSU Alexandria's first inning was kept alive via an IUK error. The Generals took advantage, scoring a pair of runs to trail 3-2 after one inning.
• LSU Alexandria would even things up in the bottom of the third, as a leadoff double and sac-bunt paved the way for an RBI fielder's choice.
• Looking to take their first lead of the game, the Generals hung a three-spot in the fourth, taking a 6-3 lead with three innings to play.
• IU Kokomo responded immediately, scoring three runs of their own to tie the game 6-6.
• Jacob Medvescek led off the inning with a solo-shot, his third home-run of the day. After Garrett Lupoi and Nino drew free passes without an out in the inning, Gavin Smith laid down a sacrifice-bunt to move the runners into scoring position. Pinch-hitter Mike Talesky came through in the clutch two outs, doubling to left-center to tie things.
• Both teams' bullpens were efficient in command, as neither team scored over the course of the next four innings.
• After an inning and a half free baseball, LSU Alexandria walked things off with a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, winning the final game of the Cajun Collison 8-6.

Pitching Lines: 

• Sophomore RHP Alec Murphy got the ball for the Cougars, tossing four complete and surrendering six runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks, striking out a trio.
• Tyler Hensch impressed in his two innings of work out of the bullpen, turning in his best performance of his collegiate career. Hensch walked two and gave up a hit, striking out one.
• Senior LHP Nathan Stanley made his first appearance of the season in relief of Hensch, looking solid in his two innings of work before giving up the walk-off hit. Stanley clearly made great strides over the offseason, allowing the two earned runs on just one hit and one walk, tying an IU Kokomo career-high with four strikeouts.

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.