EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball junior designated hitter Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana) capped off a comeback win with a walk-off single in the 11th to give the Screaming Eagles a 12-11 win over Oakland University Sunday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI, which snapped a six-game losing streak, watched its record go to 6-9, while Oakland goes to 5-9.
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Ellis capped off the USI four-run 11th inning with an RBI-single off the right field wall, scoring freshman infielder Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) with the winning run.
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After Oakland had taken an 11-8 lead in the top of the 11th, USI rallied for a second time in three innings to get the win. Senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) started the rally with one out on a double to left field and was joined on base by senior second baseman Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) after being hit by a pitch.
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USI pulled to within one, 11-10, when junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) singled in Tachioka and McNew after both moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Ebest would score the tying run two batters later on a RBI-single by junior leftfielder Drew Taylor (Jeffersonville, Indiana) and set the stage for Ellis’ game-winning hit.
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USI junior right-hander Caleb Meeks (Evansville, Indiana) picked up the win in relief. Meeks (2-1) pitched the 11th, allowing the three runs, one earned, on two hits and one walk, while striking out one.
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The marathon game started with USI taking a 5-1 first and a 6-2 lead after the first three frames. Oakland rallied to cut the margin to one with three in the fourth before tying the game with a single tally in the seventh and taking the lead with two in the eighth.
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USI rallied to send the game into extra frames with two runs in the ninth. Ellis and junior pinch runner Steven Molinet (Elberfeld, Indiana) scored the runs in the ninth when Oakland allowed Tachioka to reach with a pair of errors with two outs.
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Up Next for the Eagles:
USI and Oakland conclude the three-game series Sunday with a noon first pitch.
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Following the Sunday’s three-game series conclusion, the Eagles hit the road Tuesday to visit Saint Louis University for a 3 p.m. contest (NEW START TIME). The Billikens are 10-3 in 2023 and have won 10-straight after losing three in a row to start the year.
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USI returns to the USI Baseball Field after the single game at SLU to host Southern Illinois University Wednesday. Game time is slated for 3 p.m. The Salukis, currently, are 6-10 after being swept by the University of Kentucky at home Sunday.
Ellis sends USI home winners in the 11th USI snaps six-game losing streak
Vanderburgh County lawmakers support bill to expand work-based learningÂ
STATEHOUSE (March 9, 2023) – Vanderburgh County lawmakers voted to advance a bill to expand work-based learning opportunities in high schools around the state.
State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) said House Bill 1002, which she co-authored, would create Career Scholarship Accounts for Hoosier students to pay for career training, apprenticeships, certifications and internships. The legislation would also allow quality, work-based learning to count toward high school graduation requirements and create a framework for students to earn a post-secondary credential.
“Students should have opportunities to explore career fields and get hands-on experience while they’re still in high school,” McNamara said. “Not all students are college bound and that’s why providing them with the ability to choose a more relevant pathway upon graduation is important.”
State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville), who serves on the House Ways and Means committee, said Career Scholarship Accounts could be used by sophomores, juniors and seniors to enroll in earn-and-learn opportunities, as well as to pay for items like transportation and uniforms to remove barriers to accessing these experiences. The Indiana Department of Education would approve available courses and tracks, and accounts would be awarded $5,000 under the recently proposed House Republican budget.
“Opportunities for students to make money while learning a trade need to become more commonplace, and this bill encourages those types of partnerships between students, schools and employers,” O’Brien said. “Hoosier communities will also benefit from local graduates who have training and are eager to enter the workforce.”
According to State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Pakota), the proposed legislation could also incentivize schools and career centers to embrace more earn-and-learn partnerships. It would also task the State Board of Education with re-examining high school diploma requirements in order to provide more flexibility in a student’s schedule so they can pursue apprenticeships, applied learning experiences, work-based learning and credentials.
“We know there are many employers that are struggling to find qualified candidates for job openings,” Hostettler said. “This legislation could be a great way for them to connect to students who are eager to learn new skills that can prepare them for in-demand careers right out of school.”
He said the legislation would also allow post-secondary scholarships, such as the Frank O’Bannon Grant and the 21st Century Scholarship, to be used for trainings provided by intermediaries, employers or a labor organization. Hostettler said this would provide additional opportunities for Hoosiers, who may not interested in college, to use these funds to skill up and be prepared for the modern workforce.
STATEHOUSE (March 9, 2023) – Vanderburgh County lawmakers voted to advance a bill to expand work-based learning opportunities in high schools around the state.
State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) said House Bill 1002, which she co-authored, would create Career Scholarship Accounts for Hoosier students to pay for career training, apprenticeships, certifications and internships. The legislation would also allow quality, work-based learning to count toward high school graduation requirements and create a framework for students to earn a post-secondary credential.
“Students should have opportunities to explore career fields and get hands-on experience while they’re still in high school,” McNamara said. “Not all students are college bound and that’s why providing them with the ability to choose a more relevant pathway upon graduation is important.”
State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville), who serves on the House Ways and Means committee, said Career Scholarship Accounts could be used by sophomores, juniors and seniors to enroll in earn-and-learn opportunities, as well as to pay for items like transportation and uniforms to remove barriers to accessing these experiences. The Indiana Department of Education would approve available courses and tracks, and accounts would be awarded $5,000 under the recently proposed House Republican budget.
“Opportunities for students to make money while learning a trade need to become more commonplace, and this bill encourages those types of partnerships between students, schools and employers,” O’Brien said. “Hoosier communities will also benefit from local graduates who have training and are eager to enter the workforce.”
According to State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Pakota), the proposed legislation could also incentivize schools and career centers to embrace more earn-and-learn partnerships. It would also task the State Board of Education with re-examining high school diploma requirements in order to provide more flexibility in a student’s schedule so they can pursue apprenticeships, applied learning experiences, work-based learning and credentials.
“We know there are many employers that are struggling to find qualified candidates for job openings,” Hostettler said. “This legislation could be a great way for them to connect to students who are eager to learn new skills that can prepare them for in-demand careers right out of school.”
He said the legislation would also allow post-secondary scholarships, such as the Frank O’Bannon Grant and the 21st Century Scholarship, to be used for trainings provided by intermediaries, employers or a labor organization. Hostettler said this would provide additional opportunities for Hoosiers, who may not interested in college, to use these funds to skill up and be prepared for the modern workforce.
Celebrating women around the world
As we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, it’s important to recognize the immense contributions and accomplishments of women and girls around the world.
Women trailblazers, past and present, made positive impacts on our communities and state. As a state representative, I am honored to serve alongside other women who are working hard to serve all Hoosiers.
Gathering with fellow women leaders (pictured) in celebration was a great opportunity to reflect on the momentum of our state and how we can better meet the needs of those we are proud to represent.
Hart slams the door as Blazers complete weekend sweep of Schoolcraft
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University baseball team closed out their busy week of playing nine games in nine days by picking up the weekend sweep over Schoolcraft College with a 5-4 victory at Jerry Blemker Field Sunday.
The Blazers got off to another slow start Sunday afternoon with the Ocelots scoring in the first inning in all four games this weekend. Schoolcraft pushed one across in the first to take the early 1-0 lead.
VU would get on the board in the third after a lead off single by freshman Trevor Newman (Fort Wayne, Ind.).
Newman would come around to score on an RBI single by sophomore Ethan Burdette (Linton, Ind.) to even the score.
Burdette would score on an RBI single by freshman Carter Whitehead (Huntingburg, Ind.) to give VU a 2-1 lead after three innings of play.
Schoolcraft would answer back with a run in the fourth to even the score at 2-2.
Vincennes would regain the lead in the sixth after Carter Whitehead led off the inning with a single. Whitehead would later score on a throwing error by Schoolcraft.
Sophomore Dale Coy (Evansville, Ind.) came through later in the inning with a two-out double and would be driven in on an RBI single by Trevor Newman.
VU would tack on an insurance run in the seventh after sophomore Colton Evans (Henderson, Ky.) reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on an error.
Evans would score on an RBI single by Carter Whitehead, giving him three hits and two RBIs on the day.
This run would prove crucial for the Blazers after Schoolcraft looked to avoid the sweep with a late comeback and were able to get a run in the eighth and a run in the ninth.
The Ocelots had the tying run on first with no outs before VU sophomore closer Xavier Hart (Jeffersonville, Ind.) entered from the bullpen to strikeout the final three Schoolcraft batters of the day and complete the four-game weekend sweep for the Trailblazers.
“Our hitters took advantage of their mistakes today,†VU Head Baseball Coach Chris Barney said. “We didn’t quite swing it as well as he had all weekend, but Schoolcraft’s starter was pretty solid today. Ethan Burdette really set the table for us today getting on base three times. Plus, two RBIs and three hits by Whitehead. A double by Dale Coy and an RBI down in the order by Newman. Kade Hinton got a sac bunt down and walked.â€
“The positive thing, again, out of this is that a lot of guys contributed at the plate,†Barney added. “Hopefully we can keep that rolling into next weekend.â€
Sophomore Jake Stuteville (Rockport, Ind.) got the start on the mound for the Blazers and threw five plus innings allowing two runs on six hits and striking out five.
Freshman Logan Medsker (Marshall, Ill.) was the first out of the bullpen for VU, throwing two shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out four.
Freshman Aaron Fenn (Fort Wayne, Ind.) came in to pitch the eighth inning and allowed two runs on three hits and striking out one.
Xavier Hart entered in the ninth with runners on first and second with no outs and would continue to strike out all three batters he faced to close out the win.
“Jake gave us a solid outing,†Barney said. “He gave us a chance to win and kept them to two runs. He had a quality start, but we’ve got to stay out of the walks and hit by pitches. Then the bullpen did a great job. Medsker came in and gave us two innings. Aaron Fenn did a great job in his inning and then you have Xavier Hart closing it out with three strikeouts. It was a really good job on the back end from our bullpen today.â€
The Trailblazers will now have a week to prepare for their next opponent when VU opens Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC) play next weekend by hosting Danville Area Community College Saturday, March 18 for a doubleheader with game one beginning at 2 p.m. eastern.
The four-game conference series will then shift to Danville, Ill. on Sunday, March 19 for the final two games of the series. First pitch Sunday is set for 2 p.m. eastern.
“The biggest thing we can, hopefully, take out of this weekend is confidence,†Barney said. “We also hopefully got used to what it was like to play four games in a weekend. If we can get those two things out of this weekend and have a solid week of practice ahead of us to get ourselves ready to go for Danville next weekend, then we feel good about where we stand right now.â€
BOX SCORE
Schoolcraft – 100  100  011 – 4
VU (10-11) – 002  002  10x – 5
VINCENNES HITTING
2B – Coy. RBI – Whitehead 2, Burdette, Newman. HBP – Coy. SB – Coy.
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The VU baseball team improves to 10-11 on the season.
First round complete in Sevierville
Aces on sixth place
 SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Nicholas Gushrowski and Henry Kiel shot even scores of 72 to lead the University of Evansville men’s golf team in the opening round of the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate.
Gushrowski and Kiel completed the even rounds on Sunday at the River Course of the Sevierville Golf Club. The duo is tied for the 19th position with two rounds remaining. Third on the Purple Aces squad was Daniil Romashkin. His 1-over 73 has him tied for 28th on the leaderboard.
Michael Ikejiani carded a 2-over 74 while Luke Schneider shot a 75 in the first round of play. The duo is tied for 38th and 59th, respectively. Three individuals are in the event for UE with Carson Parker leading the way. A 2-under 70 has him in a tie for 10th place. Isaac Rohleder recorded a 73 while Masatoyo Kato registered a 74 on Sunday.
UE is in 6th place with a 291 and is just four strokes behind a 3-way tie for third. Carson-Newman leads the team standings with a 280 while Walters State CC is three behind in second. Two individuals pace the field with opening round scores of 67, five under par.
Monday’s round is set for a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. ET.
UE Softball defeats Lipscomb in weekend finale
UE takes 5-2 win
 NASHVILLE, Tenn. – With the score tied at 2-2, the University of Evansville softball team scored three runs in the top of the fourth on the way to a 5-2 victory over Lipscomb in Sunday’s final game of the Lady Bison Classic.
Following a scoreless two innings, the Purple Aces broke through with a pair of runs in the third. Brooke McCorkle led off with a walk with Dori Brown entering to pinch run. Jess Willsey followed with a single before Alexa Davis loaded the bases with a 1-out walk. With two outs, Brown scored on a passed ball while Jenna Nink earned a bases loaded walk to make it a 2-0 game.
Lipscomb matched UE’s tally with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the third but Evansville’s offense got back to work in the fourth. Hannah Hood hit a leadoff single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from McCorkle. Willsey added another single before stealing second to put two runners in scoring position with one out. Hood put the Aces back in front when she scored on a wild pitch.
With Willsey still on third, Alexa Davis drew a 2-out walk and stole second to bring Zoe Frossard to the plate. Frossard single to right to bring in two more runs and make it a 5-2 game. From that point, the pitching of Erin Kleffman was the difference.  She held the Bison to one hit in the final four frames on the way to her fifth win of the season. Mikayla Jolly tossed 2 1/3 innings making the start before Kleffman went the final 4 2/3. Jolly allowed two runs, one earned, on one hit. Kleffman gave up just one hit in her work.
Willsey recorded two of the Aces’ six hits while Frossard led the way with two RBI.
UE opened the day completing Saturday’s game against Akron that was delayed in the seventh inning due to weather. The Zips completed the game with a 13-6 win.
Missouri Valley Conference play opens on Friday with a 3-game home series against Bradley.
USI set to play San Jose State in Discount Tire CBI Eagles continue post-season play Saturday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. –Â University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball continues post season play in the Discount Tire College Basketball Invitational as the 15th seed and are slated to take on second-seeded San Jose State University in the opening round March 18 at 2:30 p.m. (CDT). The CBI, which runs March 18-22, is being played at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.
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Tickets are $8 and available through the Ocean Center Ticket Office and Ticket Master. The first two rounds of the CBI will be streamed on FloHoops, while the semifinals and the championship game will air live on ESPN2. Fans also can listen to the game on ESPN 97.7FM.
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The Screaming Eagles enters the CBI with a 16-16 overall record and completed their 31st-straight regular season with a .500 or better regular season mark (16-15) that dates back to the 1992-93 season. USI was the seventh seed in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament after completing first league schedule with a 9-9 mark.
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USI is led by sophomore guard Isaiah Swope (Newburgh, Indiana), an All-OVC first team selection, and senior guard Jelani Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) with 15.6 points and 13.7 points, respectively. Graduate forward Trevor Lakes (Lebanon, Indiana) follows with 12.9 points per contest, while senior forward Jacob Polakovich, an All-OVC first team performer, is averaging 12.4 points per outing along with grabbing a team-best and OVC-leading 13.0 rebounds per game.
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San Jose State continues its posts-season play with a 20-13 mark. The Spartans, who were fifth in the Mountain West Conference regular season, also advanced to the semifinals of the Mountain West Tournament. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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In addition to USI and San Jose State, the CBI lower bracket includes third-seeded University of North Carolina Charlotte (18-14); sixth-seeded Stetson University (17-13); seventh-seeded Tarleton State University (17-13); 10th-seeded Radford University (19-14); 11th-seeded University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (21-11); and 14th-seeded Western Carolina University (18-15). The winner of USI-San Jose plays the winner of the Tarleton/Radford game March 20 at 3:30 p.m. (CDT).
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The upper bracket includes top-seeded Indiana State University (22-12); fourth-seeded Southern Utah University (22-12); fifth-seeded Duquesne University (20-12); eighth-seeded Eastern Kentucky University (20-13); ninth-seeded Cleveland State University (21-13); 12th-seeded Rice University (18-15); and 16th-seeded University of South Carolina Upstate (16-15).
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Indiana State is the only team USI has faced this season with the Eagles coming away with an 88-85 win in overtime at Screaming Eagles Arena.
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