LEBANON, Tenn. - The IU Kokomo baseball team closed out the opening weekend of the 2025 season Sunday in Tennessee, dropping both games of the doubleheader to Cumberland (Tenn.).

        Game One: 11-2 Loss

• Junior catcher Anthony Nino left the yard in the second inning, going opposite field for a solo-shot to give the Cougars an early lead for the third time on the weekend.
• Cumberland would respond with 11 straight runs, scoring three in the second, five in the third, and three in the fourth.
• IU Kokomo would push one more run across in the sixth, as Noah Wolf led off the inning with a single before scoring on a Mason Janz RBI double, making it an 11-2 ballgame.

        Pitching Lines:

• Senior RHP Mason Whiteley made the start on the bump for the Cougars, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks in 2.1 innings pitched. Whiteley struck out a pair.
• AJ Burkhalter relieved Whiteley, tossing two-thirds of an inning. Burkhalter gave up four earned on three hits and three free passes, striking out a man.
• Koen Berry entered in a jam in the fourth and looked strong in his first appearance of 2025. Berry tossed both the fourth and fifth, surrendering just one hit while striking out one.
• Jack Bruington retired the side in order in the sixth thanks to battery-mate Anthony Nino throwing out a pair of runners. Bruington allowed a pair of singles en route to posting a zero.

        Game Two: 5-2 Loss

• Game four on the weekend proved to be much more of a pitcher's duel, as the game lasted just 125 minutes. 
• Unlike the previous three games on the weekend, the Phoenix would strike first with three runs in the bottom of the first.
• Cumberland would add single runs in both the fourth and fifth, extending the lead to 5-0 through five innings.
• Kasey Ross led off the top-half of the sixth with a walk before advancing on a passed ball, scoring on a Garrett Lupoi RBI single to get the Cougars on the board.
• Pinch-running for Medvescek who singled prior to Lupoi, Judah Hennessy crossed the plate on an RBI fielder's choice by catcher Anthony Nino to trim the deficit to three at 5-2.
• Cumberland would keep the Cougars off the board in the seventh, closing out a 5-2 victory.

        Pitching Lines:

• After a shaky start, sophomore RHP Alec Murphy settled in for a decent outing. Murphy gave up four runs (2 ER) on six walks and three hits, striking out three in three and two-thirds innings.
• Logan Greer entered in the fourth, tossing an inning and two-thirds. Greer allowed an unearned run on a hit and two walks, striking out a man.
• Senior RHP Ethan Leslie made his return after missing all of 2024 due to injury. Leslie pitched a scoreless sixth, inducing a 6-4-3 double-play despite surrendering a pair of singles.

The Cougars will head further south later this week, as they are set to compete in the prestigious 2025 Cajun Collision held in Sterlington, Louisiana. IU Kokomo will battle four separate quality opponents over the course of this Friday and Saturday, including a battle with #14 Central Methodist University (Mo.).

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.