NEW ALBANY, Ind. - Midway struck first but lost momentum quickly, as nationally ranked Indiana Southeast eventually pulled away with an eight-run fourth inning to win the opening game of a River States Conference series 11-1 in seven innings Friday.

Facing an IUS squad ranked 16th in the most recent NAIA national poll, the Eagles took a 1-0 lead thanks to a solo home run by DJ Morain in the top of the second inning.

But after the Grenadiers took the lead by scoring twice in the bottom of the second, they blew the game open in the fourth, sending 12 batters to the plate, recording seven hits and scoring three times before the Eagles got an out.

IU Southeast improves to 4-0 in conference play, while the Eagles, who are 6-10 overall, are 3-1. Seven of Midway's 17 games this season have come against ranked opponents.

The two teams will play twice more in New Albany on Saturday, with game one scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.