BECKLEY, WV - The IU Kokomo baseball team split Saturday's doubleheader at WVU Tech, dropping game one before bouncing back with a win in the series finale to salvage the series.
FAST FACTS: 4-1 Loss at WVU Tech
- LOCATION: Linda K. Epling Stadium | Beckley, WV
- UPDATED RECORDS: IU Kokomo 14-20 (11-9); WVU Tech 13-26 (4-16)
- NAIA TOP-25 RANKINGS: IU Kokomo - N/A; WVU Tech - N/A
THE RUNDOWN
- After a scoreless top of the first for the Cougars, WVU Tech knocked in a pair in the bottom half of the first.
- IU Kokomo was finally able to answer in the third, after Caden Whitehead lead off with a triple to open the frame, and scored later on a passed ball, making the score 2-1 for the Golden Bears.
- The Golden Bears would add on another in the bottom of the fifth behind a pair of singles, to put their lead back at two runs.
- From there, the WVU Tech bullpen would shut down the Cougar offense and hold them scoreless for the rest of the game, while adding another insurance run in the eighth, giving them the 4-1 victory.
LEADING THE CHARGE
FAST FACTS: 7-2 Win at WVU Tech
- LOCATION: Linda K. Epling Stadium | Beckley, WV
- UPDATED RECORDS: IU Kokomo 15-20 (12-9); WVU Tech 13-27 (4-17)
- NAIA TOP-25 RANKINGS: IU Kokomo - N/A; WVU Tech - N/A
THE RUNDOWN
- The Cougar offense started off early in the second game of the double header, as Jedvier Garcia led off the game with a walk, and would come around to score on a Noah Wolf triple to the right center gap. Wolf would then come into score as Nate Montgomery lifted a fly ball into deep center.
- Payton Hankins then started a two-out rally as he double down the left field line, and then came into score as Max French reached on a fly ball that the Golden Bear center fielder lost in the sun. Rodney Rachel then reached on a bunt single that moved French up to second, where he would score on a Jude Ruddy single to center field.
- With a 4-0 lead, Asa Christie took the mound for the Cougars and had a career day. He went six innings, the first five of which were scoreless, throwing a career high 83 pitches, and picking up the winning decision on the day.
- The Cougars would add another run in the second as Riley Sands came around to score on a Nate Montgomery RBI single.
- They would then add another pair of runs in the fifth inning. Payton Hankins led off the inning with a single, and Max French would follow with a single of his own. Hankins would then advance to third on a sac fly from Rodney Rachel and would score on a wild pitch, that would also move French to second. A couple of batters later, Caden Whitehead slapped one into left field that would bring French home.
- WVU Tech would get two runs in the bottom of the sixth, on a 2-RBI double, before AJ Burkhalter would come into slam the door shut in the seventh to secure the 7-2 Cougar win.
LEADING THE CHARGE
- Payton Hankins 3-4, 2B, 2 R
- Riley Sands 2-3, BB, R
- Noah Wolf 2-4, 3B, RBI, R
- Jude Ruddy 1-4, RBI
- Caden Whitehead 1-4, RBI
- Asa Christie (W, 3-5) - 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 K
- AJ Burkhalter - 1.0 IP, K
THE ROAD AHEAD
- Next Game: 4/14 vs (RV) Marian (Ind.) | 3:00 PM EST
- Next RSC Series: 4/17-4/18 @ Shawnee State
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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