Cook's Walkoff Single Caps Off Three-Run 9th To Send IU Southeast Past IU Kokomo In RSC Tournament

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - Mason White tied the game with a two-run home run and Blake Cook won it with a walkoff single, scoring Kody Putnam as IU Southeast used a three-run ninth inning to defeat IU Kokomo 5-4 to open play in the 2023 River States Conference Baseball Tournament on Thursday.

Noah Hurlock opened the scoring in the top of the second with a solo home run to left. After Gavin Smith reached base on an error and stole second, Jarod Gillespie drove him in with a RBI double.

The lead was short-lived as Trevor Campbell tied the game with a two-run home run to left-center in the bottom of the third.

But the Cougars answered right back in the fourth when Jack Leverenz hit a solo home run to center. A RBI single by Nolan Bowser doubled the lead in the fifth for the Cougars.

The Cougars had runners at first and second with two outs in the sixth but Conner Fries came on in relief of Lane Oesterling and got a lineout to end the frame.

IU Kokomo threatened in the ninth with two on and two out but Fries worked out trouble with a flyout to left.

Trevor Campbell was hit to start the bottom of the ninth and White followed with the game-tying home run, his 12th of the season. Then Kody Putnam singled to second and Trevor Goodwin was hit by a pitch to move Putnam into scoring position.

Blake Cook followed with a base hit to right which allowed Putnam to come around to score and win for the Grenadiers.

Conner Fries got the win in three and a third innings of relief. He allowed just one hit and walked three while striking out four. 

Mason White had two hits and drove in two and Campbell also drove in a pair.

IU Southeast will face Rio Grande Friday at 7 p.m.