Kokomo, Ind. -- The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars took on the Indiana University Kokomo Cougars to finish up a four game series. The Cougars were able to bounce back from their previous two losses and split the series by winning 13-8 and 2-1.

Game 1 was back and forth between these two teams. Eli Riley had himself a game with a homerun in the first inning to put the Cougs up 2-0. IUK responded by scoring one of their own in the first to make it 2-1. It stayed this way until the bottom of the fifth when IUK put up 2 more to take a 1 run lead. But USF wouldn't lay down. They responded in the top half of the seventh with a RBI double from Jayden Lepper and a RBI single by Sam Pesa to make it a 4-3 ballgame. IUK responded with two of their own to regain the lead. And then the Cougs put up a crooked number by scoring 6 in the top of the eight inning from a RBI single from Sam Pesa, a Nick Parsons 3-run homerun, and another Eli Riley 2-run homerun to put them up 10-6. Despite a late IUK push, Cory Wolter and Graham Kelham put them away to help USF finish on top 13-8.

Game 2 was a gritty game from the jump with IUK manufacturing a run in the first off of some small ball. Deron Swanson was lights going 6 IP, 6 Ks, and only allowed 1 run on three hits. This game remained 1-0 until the fourth when Sam Pesa led the inning off with a double. Eli Riley moved him to third on a single and Nick Parsons had a sacrifice fly to score him. The following inning the Cougs managed to load up the bases and a big full-count walk from Nick Parsons gave the Cougs a 2-1 lead heading into the 7th. Despite IUK getting the lead off runner on third base, Graham Kelham was electric and shut the door for a save striking out 3 in 1 inning of work. Cougs win this one 2-1. 

Eli Riley had a great day going 3-8 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBIs. Another key contributor was Graham Kelham who had a combined 2 innings pitched with 4 strikeouts in his outings. Also Deron Swanson had a great start and was electric all game long. Sam Pesa went 5-9 with 2 rbis as well. Lastly, Nick Parsons had 2 massive rbis in game 2, giving the Cougs all they needed to pull this one out.

The Cougars are now 9-3 and begin conference play this weekend. They will open up with the Taylor University Trojans who are currently 6-7. They will play in Upland, IN on Friday for a double header starting at 1:00 PM EST. The Cougars will then have their first home games Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 12:00 PM EST. Be sure to come out and support the team as they open up their conference season.

Cougar fans stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.

- Sam Pesa -