NEW ALBANY, Ind. - The IU Kokomo Baseball team dropped Friday's River States Conference opener at #17 IU Southeast in heartbreaking fashion, as the Grenadiers walked the Cougars off in the ninth to win 16-15.

Both teams struggled on the mound and defensively in the first conference game of the season, as 33 total hits were scattered and eight total errors were recorded between the two teams.

IU Kokomo struck first with a run in the top of first, yet IU Southeast scored six runs on six hits in the bottom of the inning for a five-run lead through one.

The Cougars were resilient Friday evening to say the least, immediately responding with four second inning runs to trail by just one at 6-5. 

Before IU Southeast could score again in the fourth, the Grenadiers trailed the Cougars 7-6 after single runs from IUK in both the third and fourth. IU Southeast's Logan Beard erased that deficit in the bottom of the fourth with one swing however, sending a three-run shot to left-field to give the Grenadiers a 9-7 lead through four complete.

Interim Head Coach Jeremy Honaker's squad refused to wait to tie things up, as Alex Janke came through with a two-RBI single in a bases-loaded situation with two outs, tying the game at nine through four and a half.

After IU Southeast took a one-run lead at 10-9 with a single run in the bottom of the fifth, IUK's Gavin Smith launched his second home-run of the game to left field, giving the Cougars their third lead of the day at 11-10.

The seventh inning proved to be the lone scoreless frame of the game, as just two total hitters reach based in the inning.

Scoring resumed in a big way very quickly, as the eighth inning saw seven total runs cross the plate. IU Kokomo extended their lead to four with three runs in the top of the frame, taking their largest lead of the night at 14-10. Those three runs came via two hits and an error, as Kasey Ross singled one in, one run scored on a Smith RBI ground out, and another came across thanks to a sac-fly from Brayden Coffey.

The Grenadiers made the most of their two free bases to open the bottom of the inning and then some, returning the favor with four runs on two hits and an error to pull even at 14-14 heading into the ninth.

Noah Wolf led off the ninth with his second double of the day, advancing to third on a Janke sac-bunt before scoring on a sac-fly off the bat of Mason Janz, moving the Cougars three outs away from a win with a 15-14 lead.

#17 IU Southeast refused to go away quietly with their backs against the wall, scoring the tying run on the same play that gave the Cougars the second out of the inning. With two outs and a man in scoring position, the next three Grenadiers reached via walk or hit-by-pitch to give 17th ranked IU Southeast a walk-off, 16-15 victory over IU Kokomo in game one of the series.

Jacob Medvescek enjoyed a career-day at the plate, going five-for-five with three singles, two doubles, and an RBI. Four other Cougars recorded multi-hit games, led by senior outfielder Alex Janke with three hits in his first game of the season. Janke singled twice and also doubled, tallying three RBI and three runs scored.

Gavin Smith hit a pair of home-runs on the afternoon, finishing with four RBI. Junior outfielder Mason Janz also totaled four RBI, as Kasey Ross and Noah Wolf were the two other Cougs to enjoy multi-hit games.

The Cougars and Grenadiers will return to Koetter Sports Baseball Complex Saturday afternoon to conclude the three game series with a doubleheader. First pitch for game one is set for 2:00 PM, with game two to follow.

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.