KOKOMO, Ind. - The IU Kokomo baseball team split the series opening doubleheader against Brescia (KY) Friday afternoon at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. After dropping the first game of the day, the Cougar offense exploded for 15 runs in the second game.
FAST FACTS - 8-5 Loss vs Brescia
- LOCATION: Kokomo Municipal Stadium | Kokomo, IN
- UPDATED RECORDS: Brescia 8-8 (2-2), IU Kokomo 2-12 (2-2)
- NAIA TOP 25 RANKING: Brescia N/A, IU Kokomo - N/A
THE RUNDOWN
- IU Kokomo got the scoring going in the third, as Jedvier Garcia singled to left field, scoring Jude Ruddy, who was running for Luke Hanson after reaching on a single of his own. The Cougars added another run as Brock Taulman reached on an error, scoring Payton Hankins.
- Brescia responded with a run of their own in the fourth, bringing the score to 2-1. IU Kokomo responded in the bottom half of the inning, as Max French doubled down the line, knocking in Nate Montgomery. They added to their lead, as Ruddy, running for Hanson once again, scored as Payton Hankins picked up an RBI single to right.
- Brescia claimed their first lead of the game as they put up a four spot in the fifth, tacking on another in the sixth to take a 6-4 lead into the bottom half of the inning. The Cougars scored one in their half of the sixth as Payton Hankins picked up another RBI single, scoring Riley Sands.
- Brescia's bullpen locked down the Cougar offense from there, as the Bearcat offense secured another two runs in the seventh and the ninth, locking up their 8-5 win.
LEADING THE CHARGE
FAST FACTS - 15-3 win vs Brescia
- LOCATION: Kokomo Municipal Stadium | Kokomo, IN
- UPDATED RECORDS: Brescia 8-9 (2-3), IU Kokomo 3-12 (3-2)
- NAIA TOP 25 RANKING: Brescia N/A, IU Kokomo - N/A
THE RUNDOWN
- The Cougar bats came out firing in the second game of the doubleheader, as Jedvier Garcia led off with a triple, and scored a pitch later as the ball sailed to the backstop. Two batters later, on a double steal and hit and run, Nate Montgomery legged out a ground ball, and Noah Wolf scored as the shortstop's throw sailed over the first baseman's head.
- Corbin Napier continued the scoring as he singled through the right side, driving in Brock Taulman. Max French then walked to the plate and hit a mammoth three-run home run over the left field wall, making the score 6-0.
- After a Jude Ruddy walk and a Payton Hankins double, Jedvier Garcia reached on an error by the third baseman, allowing Ruddy to score.
- The runs didn't stop there though, as Payton Hankins scored on a first and third double steal with Jedvier Garcia swiping second. Noah Wolf and Brock Taulman both followed with walks, and Nate Montgomery followed with a single into right field, driving in Garcia and Wolf.
- Corbin Napier drove in Taulman on a single through the right side to make it 11-0, and Riley Sands singled in Montgomery two batters later. Napier scored a few pitches later to complete the 13-run first inning.
- Brescia scored a run in each of the second and third innings. The Cougars scored another run in the bottom half of the second on a Nate Montgomery sac fly that scored Payton Hankins.
- Brescia scraped another across in the fifth, and the Cougars responded again in the bottom half with a Max French RBI single which drove in Corbin Napier.
- From there, the score would hold as, Xavier Yeagy slammed the door in the seventh to secure the Cougar win.
LEADING THE CHARGE
- Corbin Napier - 3-4, 2 RBI, 3 R
- Max French - 2-4, 3R HR, 4 RBI, BB
- Jedvier Garcia - 1-4, RBI, BB, 2 R
- Nate Montgomery - 1-3, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Riley Sands - 1-4, RBI
- Jude Ruddy - 1-3, BB, R
- Koen Berry (W, 1-2) - 5.0 IP, 3 K
- Owen Norris - 1.0 IP, K
- Xavier Yeagy - 1.0 IP, 0 R
THE ROAD AHEAD
- Next Game - 3/8 vs Brescia | 1:00 PM EST
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
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