The Cougars dropped game 1 of their conference series at New Palestine Tuesday night, falling 4-2 to move to 10-5 on the season and 6-1 in HHC play. Gavin Markus was outstanding on the mound, pitching 6 innings with 9 strikeouts and allowing 0 earned runs. Unfortunately the Cougars beat themselves defensively, committing 4 errors that proved to be the difference in the game. Ethan Ortwein provided the highlight of the night, launching his first career high school home run to keep the Cougars in the game. Ortwein finished 2-for-3 with an RBI on the night. Jacob Welch added a hit and an RBI, while Hayden Zellers, Cooper Safford and Hayden Kidd each contributed hits. Henry Close scored a run as well. The Cougars return home tomorrow night for game 2 of the series against New Palestine with a 6:00 PM first pitch.