CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - A game that was tied going into the bottom of the eighth inning never made it to the ninth, as Indiana Kokomo exploded for 10 runs in a 21-11 win over Midway in the opening round of the River States Conference Baseball Championships Thursday.

The run-rule game was a nail-biter right up to the Cougars' final at-bat, as a two-run Grant Stone home run in the top of the eighth tied the game at 11, the fifth tie of the game.

That was the highlight of the day for Stone, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and four runs scored. He was one of two Eagles with three hits and a home run, the other being Peyton Henry, who drove in four runs and had a three-run shot in the fourth inning.

But the momentum quickly dissipated, as the Eagles would record just one out in the bottom of the eighth. Alex Janke scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch before a misplayed groundball led to another run.

That was a common theme for the Eagles, who committed five errors and had five pitchers combine for 11 walks.

The Cougar offense didn't need the help, finishing with 18 hits. Jacob Medvescek and Kasey Ross both had five RBIs.

In four games against Midway this year, Medvescek has driven in 12 runs, with IUK putting up a 4-0 record in those games.

The Eagles will try to avoid being taken out of the double-elimination tournament at 7 p.m. on Friday. Their opponent will be either Shawnee State, Brescia or Indiana Southeast.