EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE fell behind 8-1 Tuesday and never could catch up, as the Cougars fell to Indiana State 12-5 at Roy E. Lee Field.

SIUE dropped to 12-15. Indiana State improved to 14-14.

A taking a 1-0 lead in the second, Indiana State scored four runs each in the third and fourth innings.

SIUE scored a single run in the third when Ryan Niedzwiedz grounded out to plate Daniel Gierer. Chase Bloomer hit a two-run home run in the fifth, one pitch after a possible home run was reviewed and called foul.

Indiana State got both runs back in the top in the sixth thanks in part to four walks in the inning.

Kyle Hepburn and Gierer each came up with RBI singles in the sixth to cut the lead back to 10-5.

Indiana State scored tice in the eighth for the final margin.

Hepburn led the Cougars at the plate going 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Bloomer was 1-5 with the home run.

Seven SIUE pitchers combined to allow 14 walks and three hit batters. Gabriel Nutter (0-1) started and allowed four runs in 2 1/3 innings. Kyle Rossy, Kieran Bailey and Andrew Ressler all had scoreless relief outings for the Cougars. Ressler struck out the side in the ninth.

Indiana State reliever Jack Armstrong (2-0) allowed two runs in three innings while striking out two for the win. Colby Morse threw the final three innings without allowing a run. He struck out six for the save.

The Cougars stay home to resume Ohio Valley Conference play with a weekend series with Southeast Missouri at Simmons Baseball Complex.