CHILLICOTHE, Ohio. - The IU Kokomo Baseball team returned to VA Memorial Stadium for a 9:00 AM first-pitch against Brescia, as the Cougars and Bearcats resumed Friday night's contest this morning in the top of the fourth after a rain delay with IUK leading 9-0.

13-3 Win over Brescia (Seven Innings)

• After a scoreless first three half-innings Friday evening, IU Kokomo burst out for eight runs on five hits to take a commanding eight-run lead through two frames.
• Brayden Coffey drew an RBI walk to score Jacob Medvescek (2B), before Anthony Nino hit a ball that ricocheted off the pitcher and into shallow right field, clearing the bases. The final four runs of the inning came off the bats of Alex Janke and Gavin Smith, as Janke doubled home Judah Hennessy (Courtesy Runner) and Noah Wolf (1B) before Smith followed with a two-run no-doubter to left.
• Leading 8-0, the Cougars added another run in the third ahead of a 14 hour and 18 minute rain delay. Payton Hankins led off the inning with a single, eventually scoring on a Nino RBI double.
• The Bearcats scored their first run of the contest in the top of the fourth, cutting their deficit to eight at 9-1.
• IU Kokomo immediately answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning, pushing the lead to double-digits at 12-1. Smith singled and Medvescek drew a free pass, setting the stage for a Hankins three-run blast with two outs in the frame.
• Brescia took the game out of run-rule territory for the time being with a pair of runs in the sixth via a two-run homer, trailing 12-3.
• The Cougars manufactured a run in the home-half of the sixth however, with Medvescek doubling and moving to third via wild pitch, scoring a batter later thanks to a Kasey Ross sac-fly. With the IUK lead back to 10 at 13-3, the Cougars slammed the door shut on the Bearcats in the seventh to keep the season alive

Pitching Notables:

• AJ Burkhalter got the start on the mound Friday night, dazzling as he tossed three hitless frames before returning Saturday to throw another three innings. Burkhalter earned his second win of the year with a line as follows: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.
• Dylan Bryant closed out the win with a scoreless seventh, pitching around a leadoff single to close out the run-rule victory.

The Cougars will next be in action Sunday evening at approximately 6:00 PM, where they will battle the winner of IU Southeast-Midway in another elimination game. In order to view an updated bracket, click HERE.

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.