KOKOMO, Ind. -- Following a non-conference victory over Union (Ky.) earlier in the week, the Midway baseball team was once again on the road on Friday (April 1) when they traveled to IU Kokomo (Ind.) for a doubleheader at Kokomo Municipal Stadium.

It was a tale of two games for the Blue and Gold as they held an early lead in both ends of the twinbill. They led 5-0 in the opener, but the Cougars scored 15 unanswered runs for a 15-5 run-rule victory in eight innings.

Game two saw the Eagles take a 3-0 lead after the third, but IU Kokomo answered with two runs in the fourth and sixth innings to take a 4-3 lead into the final frame. Midway, however, scored two in the seventh and held on for the 5-4 victory to split the doubleheader.

Following the split, Luther Bramblett's squad moves to 13-18 overall and 10-1 in River States Conference play. The two squads are scheduled to wrap up their three-game series on Saturday with a single nine-inning game beginning at noon ET.

Game 1: IU Kokomo 15, Midway 5 (8 Innings)

The Eagles jumped all over the Cougars in the opening frame scoring five runs on four hits. Ryan Davis (Paris, Ky.), Josh Halterman (Lexington, Ky.), Cameron Nichols (Owensboro, Ky.) and Preston Howard (Nicholasville, Ky.) had four consecutive RBI singles before Nick Eastham (Morehead, Ky.) capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

The Cougars (19-11, 9-1 RSC) were held scoreless in the first and second frames but got their offense going before quickly erasing the five-run deficit. They scored four in the third, seven in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth and eighth frames to seal the 15-5 run-rule win.

Blake Kincaid (Columbia, Tenn.) was dealt the loss allowing 10 runs – seven earned – on eight hits in his 3.1 innings. Cameron Head (Salem, Ky.) allowed two earned in 1.2 innings, while Joshua Robinson (Jamestown, Ky.) tossed 2.1 innings allowing one earned run.

Halterman led the way offensively with two hits as Midway finished with just seven hits compared to 14 for the home team.

Game 2: Midway 5, IU Kokomo 4

Just like the opener, the Eagles struck first scoring three runs on four hits in the third. Max Hill (Stockholm, Sweden) and Ryan Davis each drove in a run after reaching on a fielder's choice, while Josh Halterman drove in a run with an RBI single through the right side.

IU Kokomo answered with two in the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-2 as they would take a 4-3 lead after scoring two more in the sixth. After leading the whole game, the Eagles headed to their final at bat facing a 4-3 deficit.

Bryant Fontanez (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), Casey Brown (Louisville, Ky.) and Grant Hotchkiss (Richmond, Ky.) opened the inning with three consecutive singles to load the bases with no outs. Nick Eastham was brought on to pinch run for Fontanez, while Zane Patton (Georgetown, Ky.) was running for Brown.

Hill then hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game before the Cougars intentionally walked Ryan Davis to setup the double play. Josh Halterman, however, had other plans and delivered an RBI single to left field giving his team the 5-4 lead. IUK got back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning, but the damage was done.

IU Kokomo made things interesting in the bottom half as they loaded the bases with one out, but a live drive double play ended the game sealing the 5-4 victory. Nik Malchesky (Chatsworth, Ga.) tossed the final two innings and picked up his first victory of the season.

Halterman once again led the way at the plate going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Brown added a 2-for-3 outing, while Hotchkiss also went 2-for-4.

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