EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball reached double-digit runs for the fifth-straight game in defeating McKendree University, 17-7, Tuesday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI, which was 4-1 during the homestand, watched its record go to 14-26 overall in 2023, while McKendree is 17-27 this spring.
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USI, which has won five of its last six games, had to rally after allowing three McKendree runs in the first inning. The Eagles took the lead for good in the bottom of the opening frame by responding with four runs of their own.
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USI senior second baseman Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) increased the margin to three, 6-3, when he hit a rocket off the top of the right field wall. The round tripper was his fourth of the season and the 24th of his career.
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After McKendree cut the margin to 6-4 with a tally in the top of the third, USI responded with two more runs and an 8-4 advantage when junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) hit his team-best eighth home run of the season, a two-run blast to right field.
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USI and McKendree traded two-runs in the fifth, while McKendree closed to within three, 10-7, with a solo tally in the sixth. That would be as close as the Bearcats would come as the Eagles exploded six runs in the bottom of the sixth for a 16-7 lead.
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Freshman third baseman Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) and Ebest capped off the frame with a RBI-triple and RBI-double, respectively. Niehaus, Ebest, and junior catcher Parker Stroh (Grand Forks, North Dakota) had a team-best three RBIs each in the victory.
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After the Bearcats were set down in the top of the seventh, USI closed out the game in the bottom of the seventh when junior leftfielder Drew Taylor (Jeffersonville, Indiana), who had a team-best three hits in the game, knocked in the final tally for the 17-7 victory.
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On the mound, senior right-hander Brady Bowling (Brentwood, Tennessee) picked up his first win of the season in relief. Bowling allowed three runs, one earned, on one hit and three walks, while striking out one in three innings of work.
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Up Next for the Eagles:Â Â
The Eagles, who is 5-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference, returns to conference action on the road this weekend when they visit Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for a three-game series April 28-30. The series starts Friday at 5 p.m.; continues Saturday at 1 p.m.; and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.
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The SIUE Cougars, who host the University of Missouri Wednesday evening, open the week with a 22-17 overall mark, 5-7 in the OVC. SIUE, currently, is in the middle of a three-game losing streak and has lost five of the last seven games.
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USI trails the all-time series with SIUE, 56-44, but is .500 over the last 30 meetings (2001-08) and has won seven of the last 10 games (2007-08). In the final series between the Eagles and Cougars in GLVC play, USI took three of four from SIUE Roy E. Lee Field.
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Eagles ends homestand with 17-7 win USI is 4-1 during the homestand
Baird leads bipartisan effort to prioritize rural broadband access
Washington, D.C.— Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced a resolution emphasizing the need to invest in broadband expansion.
“As Congress continues to make legislative decisions and prepare for the 2023 Farm Bill, we must ensure that rural America does not get left behind by securing reliable broadband access for the millions of Americans who rely on the Internet to work and learn,â€Â said Congressman Baird. “Zip codes should not determine access to high-speed Internet, yet that is the unfortunate reality for many Hoosiers across Indiana’s 4th Congressional District, and I’m committed to reaching across the aisle so we bridge this digital divide in education, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture.â€
“High-speed broadband is critical for rural America’s growth and prosperity, yet many of our neighbors are unable to obtain reliable Internet access. I remain committed to improving internet speeds for schools, homes, doctors’ offices, and businesses, which will bring new economic development opportunities to our communities, especially in South Texas,â€Â said Congressman Cuellar. “I thank my colleague, Congressman Baird, for working with me across party lines to close the digital divide between urban and rural America. The Rural Broadband Resolution will enable rural communities to fully participate in the modern economy.â€
Smith records second home run as Aces fall to Sycamores
Indiana State wins by a final of 6-1
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Freshman Lacy Smith recorded the second home run of her collegiate career on Tuesday at the University of Evansville softball team dropped a 6-1 decision to Indiana State at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
Smith’s homer was the lone score of the day for the Purple Aces, who left ten runners on base. UE notched four hits on the day as Marah Wood, Jess Willsey, Hannah Hood and Smith would record one apiece.
It was Evansville who had the first scoring opportunity of the day, loading the bases in the bottom of the first. Indiana State stranded two runners in the opening two frames but cashed in as the game moved into the top of the third. The Sycamores posted the first four runs of the game while accumulating five hits. Isabella Henning hit a 3-run home run to highlight the inning.
Lacy Smith put Evansville on the board in the bottom of the fourth. She sent the first pitch she saw over the wall in right center to make it a 4-1 game. It was her second home run of the season. Marah Wood added a double as the Aces worked to load the bases with two outs, but Indiana State went to the bullpen with the reliever picking up the final out.
Erin Kleffman kept the deficit manageable with brilliant pitching in the top half of the fifth. After entering the game facing a bases loaded situation with no outs, Kleffman forced a double play before another ground ball ended the threat.
Indiana State put the finishing touches on the win with single runs in the 6th and 7th innings to finish with the 6-1 triumph. Sydney Weatherford was tagged with the loss with four earned runs scoring in her four innings of work. Erin Kleffman tossed the final three frames and allowed two earned runs. Lauren Sackett earned the win for the Sycamores, throwing 3 2/3 frames with one run scoring.
The 2023 home slate comes to a close this weekend as UE welcomes Illinois State.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
North Posey Business Teacher, Matthew Winegar wins Teacher of the Year Award
VERNON, Ind.(April 25, 2023) – Today, Matthew Winegar, Business teacher at North Posey Junior High School was honored as Posey County Teacher of the Year. The award was presented at the 2023 Posey County State of the Schools event.
The annual award is given to an outstanding Posey County classroom teacher or administrator who is a dedicated and skilled leader, inspires students, demonstrates leadership, and has the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues.
A 2001 graduate of North Posey, Matthew Winegar served 10 years in the Navy before returning to Southwest Indiana to raise his 3 children. He earned a master’s degree in business administration and worked in healthcare management for 10 years before leaving the industry for one that fulfilled him personally – teaching. After earning his teaching license, Winegar applied at his Alma Mater and was hired as the Business teacher.
“All that purpose and fulfillment that I was searching for, I have found in teaching and coaching and in doing my part to help my students to reach their goals and their potential in whatever way I can,†said Posey County Teacher of the Year, Matthew Winegar.
Nominated by multiple colleagues and peers, Mr. Winegar’s nominators mentioned how highly involved he is outside the classroom and how he’s “always available to any student who wants to talk.†Outside the Business classroom, Mr. Winegar coaches Junior High Football, Junior High Track and Field, and the High School Speech Team. He is also a member of the STEM Committee and leads several of the projects.
Upon receiving the Teacher of the Year Award at the Posey County State of Schools, Winegar thanked North Posey High School Principal Sean Fisher and North Posey Junior High Principal Steve Kavanaugh for being the first people to give him an opportunity in the noble profession of teaching.
Winegar added, “This award means so much to me. While serving in the Navy I was awarded ten medals and this award means just as much to me as any of those. When I was told I was selected as the Teacher of the Year, I was honestly at a loss for words, which is rare for me as the speech coach.  I am so honored because I know just how many phenomenal teachers we have in this county and how much effort we all put into preparing our students for the next phase of their lives.â€
Attorney General Todd Rokita warns Hoosiers of scammers targeting taxpayers
Attorney General Todd Rokita is warning Hoosiers of post-tax season scams, which occur far too often in communities across Indiana. Â
“Scammers will steal innocent taxpayers’ identities and use it to file fraudulent tax returns,†Attorney General Rokita said. “Many families are looking forward to tax refunds to help pay their currently inflated bills or to simply get away for a few days this summer. Don’t let these con artists steal your identity and eventually, your money.â€â€¯Â
Tax-identity thieves use other people’s Social Security Numbers to file taxes and/or even obtain jobs. Most victims will likely not even be aware this has happened. Some will be notified upon e-filing that a tax return has already been filed using their SSN. Â
Attorney General Rokita reminds Hoosiers to review the warning signs released from the IRS on possible tax-related identity theft related to tax scams:Â
- More than one tax return was filed for you.
- You owe additional taxes, have a refund offset, or have had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return.
- IRS records indicate you received wages or other income from an employer for whom you did not work.
If you believe you have been the victim of tax-related or any other type of identity theft, you can file a complaint online by visiting indianaconsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516.
Evansville Man Arrested after Brief Foot Chase during Traffic Stop
Vanderburgh County – Monday night, April 24, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Trooper Hadley was patrolling the Lloyd Expressway near Fulton Avenue when he observed a motorcycle traveling west at 76 in a 50-mph zone. The rider of the motorcycle exited the Lloyd Expressway and Trooper Hadley conducted a traffic stop near Fulton and Ohio Street. The rider was identified as David Flaherty, 55, of Evansville. A computer check revealed Flaherty’s drivers license was suspended. Moments later, an Evansville Police K-9 officer arrived to assist with the traffic stop. When officers attempted to remove a large knife from Flaherty, he got off his bike and fled on the Greenway Passage from Fulton Avenue. Officers quickly caught Flaherty, but he continued to resist arrest. During the struggle, Trooper Hadley was able to disarm Flaherty and he was taken into custody without further incident. When officers searched Flaherty, they found two large baggies containing approximately 28 grams of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl. Officers also found a glass smoking pipe on his person. Officers searched Flaherty’s motorcycle and found a small amount of marijuana. Flaherty was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
Arrested and Charges:
- David Flaherty, 55, Evansville, IN
- Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony
- Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony
- Battery on a Police Officer, Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
- Driving While Suspended, Class A Misdemeanor.
Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Evansville Police