NEW ALBANY, Ind. – IU Southeast dropped a 10-5 decision to IU Kokomo in the series opener between the top two teams in the River States Conference on Friday.

IU Kokomo (25-9, 13-3 RSC) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning when Adam Weiler hit a three-run home run to left for his fifth home run of the season.

IU Southeast (24-11, 12-4 RSC) got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Daniel Brescia singled to score Clay Woeste.

The Grenadiers tied the game in the second when Brody Tanksley and Dalton Mitchel started the rally with singles. Daunte Decello singled through the hole at shortstop to score the pair.

But the Cougars took the lead for good in the top of the third. Dalton Clarke led off the inning with a single and stole second. He scored on a RBI single by Jared Heard and then Heard scored on a single by Noah Hurlock after a balk by Chas Adams.

IU Kokomo put the game away with a pair of runs each in the fifth and the sixth. Jared Heard hit a two-run double in the fifth and a two errors in the sixth allowed two more runs to score.

Daniel Brescia, Dalton Mitchell and Brody Tanksley each had two hits in the loss. IU Southeast left eight on base and stalled rallies with miscues on the basepaths as they had chances to cut into the deficit.

Tyler Lunger earned his third win of the season with five and two-thirds innings of relief. He allowed one run on three hits, walked two and struck out seven. Chas Adams (4-2) took the loss for IU Southeast.

The series concludes with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.