NEW ALBANY, Ind. - IU Southeast baseball opened a three-game conference series against Shawnee State with an 11-9 loss to the Bears at the Koetter Sports Baseball Complex Friday night.  

Shawnee State struck first in the top of the second with a two-run home run, but their lead was short-lived. One frame later, Nick Johnson leveled the score at 2-2 with a two-run shot over the left field wall. The Grenadiers scored three runs in the third, then added two more in the fourth and led 7-2 heading into the fifth inning. The game changed dramatically in the top of the fifth.  

Shawnee State led off the inning with a solo home run, then racked up four more hits and scored four runs to tie the game. One inning later, with the score tied at 7-7, Bryson Arnette hit a one-out double to put IU Southeast ahead by one. Then, Couler Hamilton grounded out to second which lead to Trevor Goodwin tapping the dish to put the Grenadiers up two runs.  

Just like the fifth inning, however, the Bears rallied to tie the game. With two outs and a runner on first, Shawnee State's Jace Parnin tied the game with a two-run blast to left. One inning later, Shawnee State would take the lead for good. The Bears took the lead after a sacrifice fly, then scored another after taking advantage of a fielding error.  

IU Southeast made things interesting in the bottom of the eighth, getting runners on the corners with two outs. Neither runner would score in the eighth, and the Grenadiers went down in order in the ninth to end the game.  

The loss was the Grenadiers' second consecutive RSC loss, dropping their record to 17-9 (8-2 RSC). The Grenadiers and the Bears will hit the field again tomorrow afternoon for a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader. IU Southeast will also be honoring the 2024 NAIA World Series team with a ring ceremony at 12:45.