CHILLICOTHE, Ohio. - The fourth-seeded IU Kokomo Baseball team began play at the 2025 River States Conference Championships Thursday, run-ruling #5 seed Midway 21-11 in the opening game of this year's tournament, held once again at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe.

21-11 Victory vs Midway (Eight Innings)

• In a game that featured seven lead changes and just five scoreless frames, it was the Eagles of Midway who struck first with a single run in the top-half of the first inning.
• The Cougars immediately responded with a three-spot in the bottom of the first. Mason Janz doubled to centerfield, scoring Gavin Smith (1B) before Jacob Medvescek homered to left field to give IU Kokomo their first lead of the day at 3-1.
• Midway put up two runs in their half of the second to even the game 3-3.
• IU Kokomo produced a single run in the bottom of the inning, as Janz singled up the middle to score Brayden Coffey (1B) and allow the Cougars to re-take a 4-3 lead through two complete.
• The Eagles got that run back in the top of the third, tying things up at four.
• Both teams hung crooked numbers in the fourth inning, with the Eagles pushing three runs across on two hits for a 7-4 lead.
• IU Kokomo answered with four of their own to regain the lead, doing so on five hits while stranding the bases loaded. Medvescek recorded an RBI groundout, scoring Smith (1B). Kasey Ross followed Medvescek with his fifth home run of the season, leaving the yard to center-field to score Janz (1B). The Cougs final run of the frame came off the bat of Coffey, as he singled to right-field, scoring Payton Hankins (BB).
• After a pair of scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth, Midway scored two runs in the top of the seventh to re-take a one-run lead, yet the Cougars had an immediate response once again.
• An E4 allowed Smith to score (FC) the first run of the frame for IUK before Janz (1B) scored on a Ross sac-fly, with Medvescek (E4) scoring the final run of the inning via another Coffey RBI single. Thru seven, IU Kokomo led Midway 11-9.
• Trailing 11-9 with two outs in the top of the eighth, the Eagles hit a two-run bomb to even the score at 11.
• Looking to push at least one run across in the bottom of the eighth for a chance at the win in the ninth, the Cougars exploded for ten runs on five hits, four walks, and two errors to clinch a run-rule victory over the Eagles despite being tied entering the inning.

Pitching Notables: 

• Brett Huiner made the start on the mound for IU Kokomo before being forced to leave the game due to injury in the top of the third.
• Koen Berry was the second man out of the bullpen for the Cougars, turning in an inning and two thirds of scoreless ball while walking two and allowing three base-knocks.
• Senior RHP Ethan Leslie entered to record the final out of the top of the eighth, earning the win to improve to 1-2 after an inning ending groundout.
• Logan Greer, Nathan Stanley, and JT Holton each tossed at least one inning in relief as well.

The Cougars will return to action Friday morning at 9:00 AM, where they will battle the number one seed Oakland City.

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.