SPRINGBORO, Ohio. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Golf completed their final regular season match on Monday as they finished in third place at the Wright State Invitational. The Screaming Eagles would finish the tournament with a 916 (+64) team score. This is USI’s third top-three finish this spring and fifth on the year.
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USI finished the tournament with the fourth lowest par-four average score as a team, 4.44, as well as the recording the third most pars of any team. The Eagles were also one of five teams to record an eagle and one of three to record multiple.
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Senior Zach Williams (Mt. Vernon, Illinois) led USI on the tournament, finishing in a tie for 11th after posting a 228 (+15), shooting 72-76-80 on the tournament. Sophomore Jason Bannister (Laguna Niguel, California) finished right behind Williams, ending tied for 13th after finishing with a 229 (+16), shooting 77-80-72. The 72 (+1) by both players was the lowest scores of the tournament for any Eagle in one round. Williams was one of two Eagles to finish with the fifth most pars recorded on the tournament with 32. Bannister was the first of two Eagles to record an eagle on the tournament, doing so in round two on the par-five ninth.
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Junior Bryce Kirchner (North Vernon, Indiana) finished in a tie for 32nd with a 234 (+21), he would shoot 74-84-76 on the tournament. Kirchner joined Williams with 32 pars recorded.
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Junior Jace Day (Bloomington, Indiana) and sophomore Carter Goebel (Breese, Illinois) both finished in a tie for 41st, both finishing with a 236 (+23). Day would shoot 76-80-80 while Goebel would shoot 78-82-76 on the tournament. Day finished the tournament with the fourth lowest average par-five score with an average of 4.78.
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Junior Trevor Laub (Edwardsville, Illinois) would round out the scorers for USI, finishing in a tie for 53rd with a 241 (+28), shooting 84-79-78. Laub would be the second Eagle to record an eagle on the tournament, doing so in round three on the par-four sixth.
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Up Next for The Eagles:
USI heads to Cape Girardeau, Missouri to compete in their first Ohio Valley Conference Championships beginning on April 23-26 at the Dalhousie Golf Club. The tournament will consist of three days of stroke play followed by the top four teams advancing to match play on the final day.
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The Eagles have competed against six of the eight other OVC schools this spring with at least one other member being at each tournament. USI has been the highest finisher of all OVC schools in four of the five tournaments, the lone tournament being the Craft Farms Intercollegiate where Tennessee Tech University finished higher.
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The Eagles have finished higher than Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State University, Lindenwood University, and Morehead State University once each while finishing above the University of Tennessee-Martin and Eastern Illinois University twice.
Strong Third Round Propels Eagles to Third Place Finish
Women’s golf jumps three spots in second round
Final 18 holes to take place on Tuesday
WATERLOO, Ill. – Led by Kate Petrova’s 3-over 75, the University of Evansville women’s golf team rose three spots in the standings to 4th place at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship.
Petrova jumped all the way to second place in the standings at Annbriar Golf Course. Combined with her 80 in round one, Petrova has a 155. She is four strokes behind Murray State’s Payton Carter entering Tuesday’s final 18 holes.
Second for UE and tied for 12th overall is Allison Enchelmayer. She lowered her score by three strokes from round one as she carded a 6-over 78 on Monday. She goes into the final round with a 159. Enchelmayer is one shot outside of the top ten.
Mallory Russell posted a 79 in round two and has a total of 164 in the first 36 holes. She lowered her score by six shots from Sunday and is tied for 27th. Magdalena Borisova is two behind Russell with a 166. Borisova also lowered her score by six, jumping from an 86 to an 80 in round two. Alyssa McMinn completed Monday’s round with an 88 and is tied for 41st with a 170.
Evansville is in fourth place with a score of 640. The Purple Aces are just 10 behind leader Missouri State. The Bears have a 630 with two out of three rounds complete. Second through fourth are separated by just three strokes with Belmont (637), Murray State (639) and UE (640) still in the hunt.
Tuesday will mark the final 18 holes of the tournament.
Aces welcome SIUE on Tuesday evening
Softball faces Cougars in non-conference game
 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In its final non-conference game of the regular season, the Purple Aces welcome SIU Edwardsville on Tuesday evening for a 6 p.m. game. ESPN+ will have the coverage from Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.Â
Last Time Out
– On Sunday, the Purple Aces fell to Murray State in the weekend finale by a 6-2 final
– The Racers plated two runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings to take the commanding lead; Evansville scored twice in the seventh but could not get closer
Power Play
– On Friday at Murray State, Alexa Davis had one the Purple Aces’ top offensive games of 2023
– The junior was 2-for-3 with six RBI; after hitting a 2-run double, Davis came back with a grand slam in her next plate appearance
– Davis now has a season tally of 19 RBI, which is tied for the team lead.
– With two outs and two runners on base in a scoreless game on April 11 at Indiana State, she belted a 2-run double to left center that would prove to be the game-winner in a 2-0 shutout win over the Sycamores
– Davis continues to rank in the top five in the MVC in triples (T-3rd), stolen bases (3rd) and walks (T-rth)
Nice Week at the Plate
– Marah Wood recorded a hit in all four games for the Purple Aces last week while batting an even .500
– She was 6-of-12 from the plate and added a home run, three RBI, three runs, two walks and a sacrifice fly
– Tuesday’s win at Indiana State saw Wood go 1-3 with a hit and a walk
– In Friday’s victory at Murray State, she posted a 2-4 effort at the plate while scoring twice
– On Saturday, Wood had her top contest of the week, going 2-2 with a home run and three RBI before completing the weekend with a double and a walk in the series finale versus the Racers.
Big Time Shutout
– In nine frames of work in Evansville’s four games last week, Mikayla Jolly allowed just one earned run while finishing with an ERA of 0.78
– She made the start on Tuesday at Indiana State, tossing five scoreless innings and gave up five hits while striking out one
– With the performance, Holly earned her fourth pitching victory of the season
– On Saturday at Murray State, Jolly received a no-decision as she allowed one run in four innings
BASEBALL ACES RETURN HOME TUESDAY AGAINST WKU
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville baseball team will briefly return home on Tuesday night to conclude a home-and-home mid-week series against the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers. First-pitch is set for 6 p.m. at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium.
Evansville will bring a 20-15 overall record into Tuesday night’s game after a heart-breaking 3-2 walk-off loss to Southern Illinois on Sunday. After winning the series-opener 10-2 on Friday night at SIU, the Salukis rallied for 6-3 and 3-2 victories to win the series.
Graduate outfielder/pitcher Eric Roberts led UE last week both offensively and on the mound. Roberts hit a team-best .389 last week with two doubles, a home run, four RBI and two stolen bases to lead the Purple Aces’ offense. He also went 3.0 shutout innings in his first career start on the mound last Tuesday at WKU. Overall, Roberts is hitting .307 with a Missouri Valley Conference-leading 14 home runs and 42 RBI. He is joined above .300 this year by fifth-year first baseman Chase Hug, who is hitting a team-best .366 going into Tuesday night’s action.
WKU will enter Tuesday’s game at 19-18 overall after winning two out of three games at UAB over the weekend. WKU infielder Tristin Garcia was named the Conference USA Player of the Week on Monday, after hitting .556 last week to help the Hilltoppers to three victories. Garcia went 1-for-4 in the game between UE and WKU last Tuesday, but exploded for nine hits in three games at UAB. He will bring a team-best .370 batting average into Tuesday night’s game.
WKU used eight different pitchers to keep UE at bay last Tuesday night in a 6-2 win in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Senior third baseman Brent Widder had two of UE’s five hits with a double and a solo home run to pace the Purple Aces’ attack. Evansville will send freshman RHP Max Hansmann (2-0, 9.15 ERA) to the mound to try and get revenge on Tuesday night. WKU will counter with LHP Cal Higgins (0-1, 10.22 ERA), who also started last Tuesday’s game for the Hilltoppers. Higgins worked a scoreless first inning last Tuesday, issuing a walk and recording a strikeout.
The game will not be televised and there will be no local radio available. The only audio stream available will be WKU’s radio stream, available from a link on GoPurpleAces.com.
The KEEP Foundation Launches Seattle Slew Grant Program
Lexington, Ky. April 17, 2023 – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation has launched its new Seattle Slew grant program. The KEEP Foundation is committed to helping support educational programs, projects and other endeavors that help advance the future of the equine industry in Kentucky.Â
KEEP Foundation’s Seattle Slew grants are available to Kentucky non-profits, equine educational programs, events and initiatives. The Seattle Slew grant program is part of the Foundation’s efforts to support education and promote the importance of the equine industry to Kentucky’s economy and culture.
“Kentucky’s equine industry is a vital part of our state’s heritage and economy,” said Katie LaMonica, KEEP Foundation Board Chair. “We believe it’s important to support educational programs and projects that foster awareness of the industry and its contributions to our state. We’re excited to see the innovative and impactful programs and projects that will be supported through this grant program.”
The grant program is open to non-profit organizations, schools, and other groups that are involved in equine-related educational programs and projects. Examples of eligible programs and projects include, but are not limited to:
- Equine-related STEM education initiatives
- Equine-assisted therapy programs
- Equine-related vocational training programs
- Equine-related art or cultural initiatives
- Equine-related history and heritage projects
Grants of up to $5,000 are available, and new submissions will be reviewed quarterly. For more information or to apply for a grant, please visit HERE.
The KEEP Foundation has expanded its programming in recent years. In addition to its annual scholarship program, monthly Equine Educational Luncheon Series and it’s Workforce Initiatives, the Foundation also partners with Amplify Horse Racing, to host it’s monthly Career with Horses Tour Series.
All of these programs and initiatives would not be possible without the support of Kentucky’s equine industry and proceeds from the KEEP Foundation’s Seattle Slew license plate. Proceeds from sales and renewals of the 2022 license plate topped nearly $60,000.
The KEEP Foundation’s Seattle Slew specialty license plate would not have been possible without the gracious support of Karen and Mickey Taylor, the owners of Seattle Slew, and Bobby Shiflet, owner of the Tony Leonard Collection, who donated the photo of Seattle Slew that was used for the license plate.Â
Governor Holcomb joins Lilly announcing historic $3.7 billion investment in Boone County
Governor Holcomb joins Lilly in announcing a historic $3.7 billion investment in Boone County. Lilly increases manufacturing investment to accelerate global pharmaceutical production,
LEBANON, Ind. – Governor Eric J. Holcomb joined executives of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY), community leaders and Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers today to break ground on the company’s new manufacturing facilities in Boone County. Lilly, which announced plans to locate at the LEAP (Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace) Innovation and Research District in May 2022, announced plans today to increase its commitment, investing an additional $1.6 billion and creating another 200 new jobs at its two new manufacturing sites. This increases the company’s overall plans in Lebanon to more than $3.7 billion and nearly 700 new jobs, representing the largest manufacturing investment at a single location in the company’s history. “Lilly has played a critical role in shaping Indiana’s economy over the past 145-plus years, and today’s groundbreaking makes it clear – the company will be at the forefront of driving Hoosier innovation and job creation forward for generations to come,†said Gov. Holcomb. “As a state, we are proud to partner with Lilly in accelerating Indiana’s talent pipeline and career opportunities while leveraging the state’s manufacturing excellence to develop life-changing and life-saving solutions for people across the world.â€
The new facilities will expand the company’s manufacturing network for active pharmaceutical ingredients, support increased demand for existing Lilly products and play a key role in bringing the next generation of therapeutic modalities, including genetic medicines, to patients globally. Lilly has introduced 19 new medicines, including Jaypirca (recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for mantle cell lymphoma), since 2014 and plans to introduce several additional potential medicines in 2023.Â
“Through these new facilities, Hoosiers will make life-changing medicines that patients around the world need to address serious health challenges, including diabetes and cancer,†said Lilly’s chair and CEO Dave Ricks. “We’re investing at record levels in our home state to help our communities and economy thrive and enhance educational opportunities for more students. We look forward to doing our part to make Indiana an even better place to work and live, while fostering cutting-edge innovation in our state.â€Â
Once construction is complete, Lilly will begin hiring for highly skilled positions, such as engineers, operating personnel and lab technicians, who will utilize advanced technology to create innovative medicines for patients. The company today also announced a new $15 million Lilly Scholars program with the Ivy Tech Foundation to create a scholarship and an experiential learning program at Ivy Tech Community College for high school and college students with diverse backgrounds who intend to pursue careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
“It’s an incredibly exciting milestone for the state as we break ground on the first LEAP investment,†said Sec. Chambers. “LEAP is envisioned to be a best-in-class district for research, manufacturing, for future focused and forward-looking industries. It’s envisioned to be a highly sustainable community that respects its agricultural heritage and a vibrant place where people can live, work, play, learn and prosper. I couldn’t be more excited to support Lilly as our anchor investor. The future is bright at Lilly LEAP Lebanon.â€Â
Based on the company’s plans to create 700 new jobs, the IEDC committed an investment in Lilly of up to $4.5 million in the form of incentive-based training grants. The IEDC also committed an investment of up to $17.085 million in redevelopment tax credits based on the company’s plans to invest $3.7 billion. The IEDC also offered up to $271.5 million of Innovation Development District tax rebates with the flexibility for the project to grow to $4.5 billion in capital investment.Â
“It’s a historic day for the city of Lebanon and Boone County as we celebrate a groundbreaking milestone for both Lilly and the LEAP Research and Innovation District,†said Mayor Gentry. “I am grateful for the state’s partnership to develop this future-focused, world-class project and Lilly’s decision to invest in Lebanon. Lilly and LEAP will create life-changing career opportunities for Lebanon and Boone County residents for generations to come.â€
Lilly’s investment will anchor Indiana’s LEAP Lebanon, a mega-site identified by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) as a strategic location for development and growth because of its proximity to research centers in Indianapolis and Purdue University in West Lafayette as well as the availability of skilled talent. The innovation district boasts thousands of acres along Indiana’s I-65 Innovation Corridor, offering diverse settings for advanced manufacturing, mixed-use and corporate campus investments, and is expected to attract leading businesses and innovators in high-tech, fast-growing sectors that will be critical to the economy of the future.Â
VU baseball falls in conference doubleheader to John Wood
QUINCY, Ill. – The Vincennes University Trailblazer baseball team opened up another Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC) series Monday afternoon at John Wood Community College and fell 11-1 in game one and 11-2 in game two.
The day got off to a rough start for the visiting Trailblazers with John Wood picking up the early lead with a pair of runs in the first two innings and took a commanding lead with a six-run third inning to grab a 10-0 advantage.
VU would get on the board in the fourth after sophomore Colton Evans (Henderson, Ky.) led off the inning with a triple. Evans would later score on an RBI single by Kobe Bartlett (Rockport, Ind.).
This would be the highlight of the game for VU as John Wood put the game away in the fifth with a walk-off single to finish out the 11-1 victory.
Sophomore Dawson Blaylock (Eaton, Ohio) got the start in game one of the day, throwing two and one-third innings, allowing eight runs on six hits and striking out two.
Freshman Keegan Schlotterbeck (Centerville, Ind.) took over on the mound in the third and lasted one and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on three hits and striking out two.
Game two got off to a much better start for the Blazers, with sophomore Ethan Burdette (Linton, Ind.) leading off the game by reaching third on an error and scoring on a passed ball to give Vincennes the early 1-0 lead.
John Wood answered back in the second with a pair of runs to take the lead before VU came through in the third with sophomore Will Egger (Terre Haute, Ind.) leading off the inning with a single and advancing on an error. Egger would even the score at 2-2 after scoring on a groundout by sophomore Kaden Elliott (New Albany, Ind.).
John Wood would grab the momentum back in the bottom half of the third however with a three-run inning, followed by four runs in the fourth to take a 9-2 lead.
John Wood added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth and managed to hold off any VU comeback attempts at VU fell in game two 11-2.
Freshman Josh McCormick (Indianapolis, Ind.) got the start in game two, throwing three and two-third innings, allowing nine runs, four earned runs, on seven hits while punching out one.
Freshman Aaron Fenn (Fort Wayne, Ind.) threw the remaining two and one-third innings, allowing two runs on three hits and matching his career-high with four strikeouts.
Vincennes will return to John Wood Community College tomorrow, Tuesday, April 18 for the final two games of this four-game conference series. First pitch tomorrow is set for 1 p.m. eastern.
BOX SCORE
GAME ONE
VU (16-21, 4-9) – 000   10 – 1
John Wood – 226   01 – 11
VINCENNES HITTING
2B – Long. 3B – Evans. RBI – Bartlett.
GAME TWO
VU (16-22, 4-10) – 101   000  0 – 2
John Wood – 023   402  x – 11
VINCENNES HITTING
RBI – Elliott.
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The Vincennes University baseball team falls to 16-22 on the season, with an MWAC Conference record of 4-10.
This Week at USI
Below is a list of events and activities happening in and around the USI community this week:
UPCOMING EVENTS
7 p.m. Monday, April 17
Annual Shaw Biology Lecture to feature New York Times best-selling author
USI will host its 9th annual Shaw Biology Lecture at 7 p.m. Monday, April 17 in Mitchell Auditorium, located in the Nursing and Health Professions Building. Frans de Waal, New York Times best-selling author, will present “Politics, Cognition, Morality: You Name It – Our Fellow Primates Have It All.†The presentation is open to the public at no charge.
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19
USI conferences focuses on research, human-centered leadership
Two of the three founders of uLeadershipâ„¢ will be keynote speakers at the 27th annual USI Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Performance Improvement in Healthcare Conference, slated for Wednesday, April 19, in Carter Hall, University Center West.
2 p.m. Wednesday, April 19
USI announces Distinguished Scholars presentation on Neepwaantiinki – Partners in Learning
The USI College of Liberal Arts is proud to present “Neepwaantiinki – Partners in Learning†at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 19. The event will be held in Kleymeyer Hall, located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center, and will feature a discussion on the unique and reciprocal relationship between the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University.
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20
USI to host annual Interdisciplinary Colloquium on “Locks and Keys”
The USI College of Liberal Arts is proud to announce the 15th Annual Interdisciplinary Colloquium, which will take place on Thursday, April 20 in University Center West, rooms 2217-2220. This event is open to the public at no charge.
3 p.m. Friday, April 21
USI Colloquium to explore the role of girls in preserving the past
The USI College of Liberal Arts is proud to announce the final Faculty Colloquium presentation of the Spring Semester. Dr. Stella Ress, Associate Professor of History, will present “Singing about ‘Tomorrow’ while Interpreting the Past: ‘Little Girls,’ Annie, and Pop History” at 3 p.m. April 21 in Kleymeyer Hall, located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. This event is open to the public at no charge.
11 a.m. Saturday April 22
USI Historic New Harmony Spring Hat Luncheon happening April 22
USI’s Historic New Harmony will host the annual Spring Hat Luncheon at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 22 at the Rapp-Owen Granary at 413 Granary Street, New Harmony, Indiana.
SAVE THE DATE
April 28
USI to host 25th annual Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Symposium
Dr. Sally K. Miller, Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Professor at the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, will be the presenter at the USI 25th annual Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) Symposium on Friday, April 28 in Carter Hall, University Center West. There are options for attendees to attend in person and virtually.
May 5-6
Commencement Ceremonies to celebrate Class of 2023 graduates
We are excited to celebrate our 2023 Spring and Summer graduates! Ceremonies will be held May 5-6 in the Screaming Eagles Arena. More information will be coming soon.
USDA Offers New Funding to Promote the Expansion of High-Speed Internet in Rural Areas
WASHINGTON, April 17, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $20 million to deliver broadband technical assistance resources for rural communities, and to support the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives.
USDA is offering the funding under the new Broadband Technical Assistance Program. The program supports technical assistance projects such as conducting feasibility studies, completing network designs and developing broadband financial assistance applications. Funding is also available to help organizations access federal resources, and to conduct data collection and reporting. Â
“USDA is committed to making sure that people, no matter where they live, have access to high-speed internet. That’s how you grow the economy – not just in rural communities, but across the nation,†said USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small. “USDA is partnering with small towns, local utilities and cooperatives, and private companies to increase access to this critical service which in turn boosts opportunity and helps build bright futures.â€Â
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.