CHILLICOTHE, Ohio. - The IU Kokomo baseball team dropped the rubber match against Ohio Christian Monday, 9-8. With the loss, the Cougars are now 15-11 overall and 7-4 in River States Conference play.

Offensive Highlights

• Ohio Christian scored first, as the Trailblazers pushed three runs across on four hits and one IU Kokomo error in the bottom of the first.
• IU Kokomo responded with five runs on three hits in the top of the second to take a 5-3 lead. Jack Leverenz singled for his first of four hits on the day, and would score on a Dylan Janke bases-loaded walk. Luke Barnes singled and scored on a passed ball while Gavin Smith, pinch-running for Jonathan Latham, scored on a sac-fly off the bat of Riley Garczynski. Thomas Obergfell and Janke scored on a Nolan Bowser single.
• Leverenz hit a solo home-run in the top of the third to extend the IU Kokomo lead to 6-3.
• The Trailblazers cut into the IUK lead in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs on four hits to trail 6-5 through three innings.
• OCU tied the game at six in the bottom of the fourth, scoring one run on one hit and one IUK error.
• The Cougars regained the lead in the top of the fifth on three hits. Jarod Gillespie led off the inning with a single and would score on a Leverenz double. Leverenz would score one batter later as Barnes doubled to give IU Kokomo an 8-6 lead after four and a half innings.
• IU Kokomo took an 8-6 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but the first two Trailblazers hitters reached before a three-run homer gave Ohio Christian the 9-8 walk-off win.

Pitching

• Mason Whitleley tossed the first 3.1 innings, surrendering six runs (five earned) on ten hits while striking out two. Whiteley did not factor into the decision.
• Asa Christie was the first Cougar out of the pen, tossing 2.2 innings while allowing one hit and two free passes while striking out two OCU hitters.
• Ethan Leslie tossed the seventh and eighth before allowing the first two to reach in the ninth. Leslie allowed two earned runs on two hits and one walk while striking out a man.
• Victor Fujiu took the tough loss, giving up the go ahead run in the ninth.

The Cougars will return to action tomorrow as they will host Georgetown College (Ky.) in a non-conference matchup at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. First pitch is set for 4:00 P.M.

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.