NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Caden Lockwood had two hits and drove in four and the Grenadier pitching staff combined to strike out 17 in a a 9-0 win over WVU Tech to open conference play on Friday.
 
IU Southeast jumped out to a quick lead with a five-run first inning. A leadoff walk by Matt Santana followed by singles by Kevin Moore and Trevor Goodwin loaded the bases. Then Bryson Arnette drove in Joel Johnson with a sacrifice fly.
 
After a wild pitch put runners on second and third, Coulter Hamilton doubled to left to clear the bases. Then Hamilton stole third and Konnor Scheidt drew a walk. Both were driven in on Lockwood's two-run triple to right.
 
Then the Grenadier pitching staff took over. Luca Sandrella struck out the side in the third and Aiden Darlage did the same in the fourth.
 
IU Southeast tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Trevor Goodwin singled and scored on a double by Arnette to center. A sacrifice fly by Scheidt drove in Arnette.
 
Then Caden Lockwood hit a two-run moonshot to left, his first of the year. Joey Merrick came on in the seventh and struck out the side.
 
In the eighth, the Golden Bears put runners on with a one-out walk and single but a strikeout and groundout ended the inning.
 
Jack Skidmore came on in the ninth and allowed one hit but two flyouts ended the game.
 
Caden Lockwood finished the day 2-for-4 with a run scored and four RBI. Coulter Hamilton was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Bryson Arnette was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored and Trevor Goodwin was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.
 
Starter Luca Sandrella worked three innings and allowed two hits and struck out five. Aiden Darlage worked the next three innings and allowed one hit while striking out seven.
 
Joey Merrick allowed one hit in two innings while striking out five and walking one and Jack Skidmore allowed one hit in relief.
 
IU Southeast concludes the series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon.