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GORSUCH, THUNDERBOLTS SHUT OUT BULLS 1-0 

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 Pelham, Ala.:  In yet another strong bounce-back performance, the Thunderbolts defeated the Birmingham Bulls by the slimmest of margins, 1-0 the final score in Pelham on Friday night.  The Thunderbolts’ next home game will be on Saturday, March 18th against the Birmingham Bulls at 7:00pm CT.  For tickets, call (812)422-BOLT (2658), go to EvansvilleThunderbolts.com, or visit the Ford Center Ticket Office.

The lone goal of the game came from Jeremy Masella, who scored unassisted at the 13:00 mark of the second period to give Evansville the 1-0 lead.  The goal was the only one given up on 26 shots by Bulls goaltender Austin Lotz.  Trevor Gorsuch went perfect on 34 shots faced from the Bulls, with many of his best saves coming in the third period with Lotz pulled and Birmingham pressing in the fading minutes for the equalizing goal that never came.  The win was Gorsuch’s 13th of the season, and his 2nd shutout of the season.  With the win, Evansville now only needs just 1 point out of 16 possible to clinch a playoff spot and can do so on Saturday with either a win or a Fayetteville regulation loss.  The Thunderbolts remain in 4th place in the SPHL standings with the victory, at which a finish in 4th place or higher would secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs next month.  The Thunderbolts and Bulls meet again on Saturday, March 18th at Ford Center.

UE Softball Splits MVC Doubleheader Against Bradley

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UE Softball splits MVC doubleheader against Bradley

UE opens with a 5-4 win in extra innings

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Opening day of Missouri Valley Conference action saw the University of Evansville softball team split a doubleheader against Bradley.  UE opened the day with a 5-4 victory in eight innings before the Braves countered with an 8-0 win the second match-up.

Game 1 – UE 5, Bradley 4 (8 innings)

Trailing by a 4-3 score entering the bottom of the seventh, the Purple Aces tied the score before clinching a 5-4 win over Bradley in the 8th inning.  Alexa Davis drew a bases loaded walk to give UE the win.

Mikayla Jolly had a nice start, striking out a pair of batters in the top of the first.  In the second, Abbott Badgley broke the scoreless tie with a fly ball that left the park for a solo home run.

Evansville got the offense going in the bottom of the third when Taylor Howe and Alexa Davis recorded hits to open the inning.  Abby Husak made her collegiate debut, pinch running for Howe.  After advancing to third on a fielder’s choice by Zoe Frossard, Husak scored the first run of the game on a bunt attempt by Marah Wood.  Jess Willsey added a sacrifice fly to score Frossard and give Evansville a 2-1 lead.

Bradley used the long ball to retake the lead in the top of the fourth.  With two outs, Kierston McCoy belted a 2-run home run to right center field to put Bradley on top – 3-2.  UE immediately responded in the bottom of the inning when Lacy Smith hit an RBI double to right center to bring in Jenna Nink, who walked earlier in the frame.

Things remained knotted at 3-3 until the Braves retook the lead in the sixth as they drew three consecutive walks, including one with the bases loaded, to go up 4-3.  Down to the final three outs, Alexa Davis opened the seventh with a single before stealing second and going to third on a passed ball.  With one out, Marah Wood brought her in with a sacrifice fly to tie the game.

In the 8th, Hannah Hood and Nink reached on walks while advancing to second and third with one out.  Taylor Howe was hit by a pitch to load the bases up with two outs and bring Davis to the plate.  On a 3-2 count, Davis earned the game-winning walk to give UE the conference-opening triumph.  Davis was Evansville’s top performer, going 2-4 with a walk, RBI and run.  Sydney Weatherford picked up her first win of the season, tossing a scoreless 1 2/3 innings.

Game 2 – Bradley 8, UE 0

A 3-run third inning set Bradley on pace as they completed the day with an 8-0 victory in six innings of game two.

Following a scoreless two innings, the Braves jumped out in front with a pair of home runs.  With two outs, Grace French launched a 2-run shot to center field before Abbott Badgley followed with a solo shot to extend the lead to 3-0 in the third.  The ensuing inning saw the Braves add their fourth run while holding UE off the board.

In the bottom half of the fifth, Evansville put its first runner in scoring position as Jenna Nink reached on a 1-out triple but the Braves got out of the jam to retain their 4-0 lead.  In the 6th, the Braves put the game out of reach, scoring four more runs to complete the shoutout win.  Evansville finished the game with four hits while the Braves had nine while adding six walks.

Camryn Schaller took the win for Bradley, allowing four hits in six innings.  Erin Kleffman took the loss, giving up three runs in 2 2/3 innings of work.  None of the eight Bradley runs in the game were earned.

Sunday’s game is still slated to begin at 12 p.m.

Fowler Silver Highlights Friday Finals

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Indiana swimming and diving sophomore Anne Fowler followed up her Big Ten 3-meter diving title with an NCAA runner-up finish on the second springboard Friday (March 17) night at the 2023 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships inside the Allan Jones Aquatic Center.

Five athletes scored for Indiana on the third day of the national meet with two podium finishes and fowler silver medal. With 121 points and 21 All-America honors, Indiana has already surpassed its totals from a year ago. The No. 10 ranked Hoosiers sit 10th in the team standings going into a final day full of opportunity.

Fowler, now a four-time All-American, earned her top national finish in any event. The junior tallied scores of 63.00, 63.00, 49.50, 52.65, 69.75, 72.00 for a 369.60 total. Indiana has collected six national medals over the last four championships, three of those coming on 3-meter. Fowler became the third different Hoosier to medal on 3-meter in the last two seasons as Kristen Hayden and Tarrin Gilliland finished second and third at the 2022 meet.

For Fowler, Friday was not just a test of skill on the springboard, but a character check too. In Thursday’s 1-meter prelim, Fowler uncharacteristically placed 50th; mostly due to a failed dive in the fifth round. A day later, she celebrated on the podium surrounded by her teammates.

“What a great comeback for Anne!” IU head diving coach Drew Johansen said. “She experienced the lowest of lows yesterday, and with the strength and support of her team, she was able to give a career-best finish at this meet today. I am so proud of her and this team for never giving up. One more day!”

Sophomore Anna Peplowski also earned a podium placement, finishing sixth in the 200-yard freestyle. Peplowski improved from 10th place a year ago and is the first Hoosier to reach the podium since Haley Lips in 2016. During prelims, Peplowski posted her career-best non-relay time, a 1:43.27.

Indiana added three honorable mention All-Americans Friday, as senior Noelle Peplowski placed 13th in the 100-yard breaststroke (58.99), sophomore Skyler Liu finished 14th on the springboard (324.90) and senior Mackenzie Looze took 16th in the 400 IM (4:12.54). Neither Peplowski or Looze were projected to score based on their seeding coming into the meet.

“I thought the day overall was a really gritty performance,” IU head swimming coach Ray Looze said. “Scoring Mackenzie in the IM and Noelle in the breaststroke, they weren’t supposed to get any points. Just getting points was huge. I’m really proud of Anna Peplowski for making her first A final in the 200 freestyle. Congrats to Anne Fowler for just a massive rebound. I’m so respectful of her being able to do that. And then Skyler scoring her first points and almost making an A final was great.”

Indiana’s 400-yard medley relay was disqualified due to an early takeoff in the fourth leg. Of the four relays so far this week, it was the first time an IU relay has not finished with All-America status.

“The relay was unfortunate,” Looze said. “It just wasn’t a good relay, and then we jumped it. So, we’re going to lay that to rest and focus on what we have left tomorrow. I really like how we’re competing. It’s really inspiring, I’m really proud of these girls, and we’re going to push really hard to finish the meet off as well as we can.”

RESULTS
400 IM

  1. Mackenzie Looze – 4:12.54 (Honorable Mention All-America)

    200 FREESTYLE

  2. Anna Peplowski – 1:43.57 (All-America)

100 BREASTSTROKE

  1. Noelle Peplowski – 58.99 (Honorable Mention All-America)

3-METER DIVE

  1. Anne Fowler – 369.90 (Silver, All-America)
  2. Skyler Liu – 324.90 (Honorable Mention All-America)

400 MEDLEY RELAY

DQ – Early take off.

HOOSIER ALL-AMERICANS

Elizabeth Broshears (200 Medley Relay*, 200 Freestyle Relay)
Ching Hwee Gan (800 Freestyle Relay, 500 Freestyle)

Anne Fowler (3-Meter)

Skyler Liu (3-Meter*)
Mackenzie Looze (800 Freestyle Relay, 400 IM*)
Kristina Paegle (200 Medley Relay*, 800 Freestyle Relay, 50 Freestyle*, 200 Freestyle Relay)
Anna Peplowski (200 Medley Relay*, 800 Freestyle Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay, 200 Freestyle)
Noelle Peplowski (200 Medley Relay*, 200 IM*, 100 Breaststroke*)

Ashley Turak (50 Freestyle*, 200 Freestyle Relay)

* – Denotes Honorable Mention
 
UP NEXT
Saturday is the final day of the 2023 NCAA Championships. Indiana has six preliminary swims, two divers in the platform event and will race the 400 freestyle relay during the night session. Prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET, followed by finals at 6 p.m.

Vanderburgh County Crash Reports

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Crash Report

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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Booked Last 24 Hours

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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DAILY ACTIVITY REPORTFOOTNOTE:  EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT  information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Schwomeyer overcomes slow start to tie for top spot at LTC Spring Invitational

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ROBINSON, Ill. – VU sophomore Paxton Schwomeyer (Oakland City, Ind.) had one of his best tournaments as a Trailblazer Wednesday afternoon in the 27-hole Lincoln Trail College Spring Invitational at Quail Creek Country Club in Robinson.

Schwomeyer got off to a slow start to the tournament, taking a triple bogey on his second hole of the day, but was able to regroup and power through to finish the day with a 27-hole score of 119 and end in a five-way tie for first place on the leaderboard.

Schwomeyer shot an 82 in the full 18 hole round and followed that with an impressive one-over 37 in the final nine holes.

Sophomore Luke VanDeventer (Columbus, Ind.) was the second lowest VU scorer, matching Schwomeyer’s 82 in the first round, before coming back with a very solid three-over 39 in the nine-hole round. VanDeventer would finish with a total tournament score of 121 and finish eighth overall.

Sophomore Caleb Newman (Vincennes, Ind.) was next on the leaderboard and was the third Trailblazer to finish in the top 10 Wednesday. Newman shot an opening round 83 and a final round 40 to place 10th.

Freshmen Nate Olsen (Greenwood, Ind.) and Aaron Brink (Nashville, Ill.) finished the day tied on the scoreboard, with Olsen shooting the best 18-hole score for the Blazers with an 81 before shooting a 46 in the final nine holes.

Brink showed the most improvement out of any VU golfer Wednesday, shooting an 87 in the first round and ending the day with a 40 in the final round. Olsen and Brink each tied for 12th overall.

Sophomores Adam Leach (North Vernon, Ind.), Sam Stewart (Floyds Knobs, Ind.) and Caleb Maris (Terre Haute, Ind.) finished one after another on the scoreboard, with Leach ending with a tournament score of 130 and placing 18th, Stewart placed 19th at 131 and Maris finished 20th at 132.

Sophomore Garrett Hulfachor (Lawrenceville, Ill.) rounded out the VU scorers Wednesday, with the sophomore lefty shooting a 134, placing him in a tie for 21st.

“Paxton struggled out of the gate with a triple bogy on a tough par three on his second hole,” VU Hall of Fame Golf Coach Dennis Chattin said. “I think that created some doubt but I was proud of the way he came back with a one over 37 in the last nine. He actually missed a three-foot putt, lipping out on the last hole. It was tough because had it fallen, he would have won the tournament outright, instead of tying for first.”

“Caleb Newman had his best tournament, finishing 10th,” Chattin added. “He has really worked hard and I was really glad to see him rewarded.”

The Blazers will hope to keep this hot streak going into their next tournament, when VU travels to Nicholasville, Ky. to take part in the Garn Championships at the Keene Trace Golf Club.

First round will take place on Monday, March 27, with the final round closing out the tournament on Tuesday, March 28.

RESULTS

TEAM RESULTS

Illinois Central – 321, 156 – 477

VU (A) – 330, 161 – 491

Lincoln Trail – 330, 164 – 494

VU (B) – 347, 173 – 520

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

Paxton Schwomeyer (T1) – 82, 37 – 119

Luke VanDeventer (8) – 82, 39 – 121

Caleb Newman (10) – 83, 40 – 123

Nate Olsen (T12) – 81, 46 – 127

Aaron Brink (T12) – 87, 40 – 127

Adam Leach (18) – 85, 45 – 130

Sam Stewart (19) – 87, 44 – 131

Caleb Maris (20) – 88, 44 – 132

Garrett Hulfachor (T21) – 89, 45 – 134

Aces open Valley play against Bradley

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UE looks to continue recent success against Braves.
 
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Missouri Valley Conference play commences this weekend when the University of Evansville softball team welcomes Bradley for a 3-game series.  Friday’s action will feature a 2 p.m. doubleheader with the exact timing for game three to be announced.  ESPN3 and ESPN+ will have coverage of the three games.
 
Looking at the Match-up
– Evansville has had the upper hand in the series over the last two years, winning five out of six games
– In 2021, the Purple Aces swept a home series versus the Braves before winning two out of three in Peoria last year
 
Last Time Out
– In its final non-conference tournament, UE was in Nashville, Tenn. for the Lady Bison Classic
– Friday’s opening day of the event saw UE drop a close 3-1 game to Akron before falling 5-2 to Indiana
– The Aces faced both squads again on Saturday, losing by a 13-1 final to the Hoosiers and a 13-6 score to the Zips
– Sunday’s game saw the Aces rebound with a 5-2 victory over Lipscomb
Offensive Force
– Junior Alexa Davis has established herself as a true offensive force in the Missouri Valley Conference
– Davis is ranked in the top 15 in nine categories with the highlights including a tie for third in home runs, total bases and walks, fifth in slugging percentage and a tie for sixth in runs scored
– She paces UE in batting average (.333), runs (16), hits (21), triples (3), home runs (4), total bases (43), slugging percentage (.683), walks (13) and on-base percentage (.447)
Best in the League
– With a season earned run average of 1.27, Megan Brenton has the lowest tally in the MVC
– Her two saves is tied for second in the conference while her four victories is tied for eighth
– In 22 innings of work in 2023, Brenton has allowed seven runs, just four of which have been earned
– Brenton has fanned 20 batters while walking 15
Clutch Hit
– With her team up by a 3-2 score against Lipscomb in the fourth inning, Zoe Frossard hit a 2-run single to add some insurance as the Aces halted an 8-game losing streak
– The reigning MVC Newcomer of the Year has started all 23 games this season and is tied for third in MVC with 13 walks and 84 total plate appearances
– Ranks in a tie for 4th in the MVC with 70 at-bats while tied for 6th with 14 runs batted in
– Frossard hit the first home run of career on 2/10 vs. Eastern Kentucky while setting career mark with four RBI
– Seven of her 14 RBI came in the first three games of the season
Picking up the W’s
– Opening day starter Erin Kleffman has picked up five victories in 2023 which is tied for 6th in the league
– She earned wins in each of her first four appearances of the season
– Kleffman earned win #5 on March 12 at Lipscomb after tossing a scoreless 4 2/3 innings
– The performance was huge for Kleffman, who entered the game allowing 22 runs, 19 of them earned, in her previous 8 2/3 frames

Braun, Klobuchar introduce bipartisan legislation to help Americans save and pay for skills training and credentialing programs

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Amy Klobuchar reintroduced the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, bipartisan legislation to allow Americans to use ‘529’ education savings accounts for skills training, credentialing, and certification programs.  Current law only permits workers and families to use ‘529’ accounts to pay for college, university, and vocational school expenses.

“Every high school student in America needs to know that you don’t necessarily have to go to college to have a great career. By expanding opportunities and access to skills training programs, and letting Americans use their ‘529’ education savings to pay for it, we can address the nationwide skills shortage and fill American jobs.”— Sen. Mike Braun

“Skills training and development programs help provide people with the tools and resources they need to succeed in our economy. By allowing workers to use their ‘529’ educational savings to pay for additional training and certification, our bipartisan legislation will enable more Americans to access and benefit from these valuable programs.” — Sen. Amy Klobuchar

In addition to Klobuchar and Braun, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Duckworth, Susan Collins, Dianne Feinstein, Joe Manchin, Martin Heinrich, and Peter Welch.

Senator Braun has long been a supporter of expanding access to workforce development and skills training programs to address the nationwide skills gap and to fill American jobs.

In January, Senator Braun reintroduced the bipartisan Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Support Students (JOBS) Act with Senator Tim Kaine to help more Americans get good-paying jobs by allowing students to use federal Pell Grants towards job training programs for the first time.

As he travels across Indiana each year on his annual 92 county tour, Senator Braun visits a number of workforce development programs that provide job training to prepare the next generation of talent.

FOP ENDORSES COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHERYL MUSGRAVE FOR MAYOR OF EVANSVILLE

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FOP ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ENDORSEMENT OF CHERYL MUSGRAVE FOR MAYOR OF EVANSVILLE

Historically, the fraternal Order of Police does not offer an endorsement in primary elections. However, It is the belief of this organization that this may be the most important election in recent memory for the citizens of Evansville and for the members of this lodge. With that in mind, approximately six weeks ago, President Aaron McCormick authorized the creation of the Bi-Partisan 2023 FOP 73 Political Action Committee.  During the previous weeks, this committee took on the daunting process of vetting candidates for the position of Mayor of the City of Evansville.  The committee held extensive interviews with each candidate. The committee also took a deep dive into the past records(or lack thereof) of each candidate. After countless hours of research analysis, the FOP 73 Political Action Committee came to a unanimous recommendation. That recommendation as then overwhelmingly supported and adopted by the membership of FOP 73.

The City of Evansville is facing a crisis on many levels.  Our streets have become noticeably less safe.  Even with the brave men and women of the Evansville Police Department seizing guns off the streets at a rate never seen before, violent crime persists.  Murders, shootings, robberies, and a host of other crimes are increasingly occurring in city neighborhoods once believed to be safe for citizens and their families.

The Evansville Police Department is facing a crisis.  The inability to recruit and retain qualified officers to police the streets of Evansville is greatly hampering the effectiveness of the police force.  With overtime at an all-time high just to meet minimum staffing levels, each officer is asked to answer more calls for service than ever before.  With pay and benefits lagging far behind other departments in our state and nation, and the inability to take time off to be with their families, the morale of officers is at an all-time low.  The Evansville Police Department was a destination.  It was a goal that officers from across the entire region sought to attain.  Today as I speak to you, The Evansville Police Department has been relegated to the status of a stepping stone.  Officers are now being hired and trained by the City of Evansville, only to abruptly leave to join other departments with better benefits and more supportive city administrations.  The citizens of Evansville DESERVE a leader who is committed to bringing this department back to its former stature.  The citizens of Evansville DESERVE  a leader who is committed not just to Public Safety, but to  THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC.

Only one candidate has shown the ability to answer the tough questions asked by this committee.  Only one candidate has a track record of attacking problems head-on and formulating bold solutions.  During her time as County Commissioner, Cheryl Musgrave has a proven track record of success when it comes to improving the lives of those in their community.  During her time in office, Cheryl Musgrave has been instrumental in securing funding for vital infrastructure projects that helped to improve the quality of life for Vanderburgh County residents.  Cheryl has vowed to work closely with the Evansville Police Department to ensure that officers have the tools, training, and resources that they need to make the streets safe for all citizens.  LEADERSHIP MATTERS!  The City of Evansville needs  Mayor with the experience, dedication, and tenacity to address the host of problems we currently face.

I stand before you today UNITED with the over five hundred active members of FOP LODGE 73.  I stand before you UNITED with the over five hundred Associate members, and over fifty Auxiliary members of FOP Lodge 73 as well as our families and friends.  I stand before you today to offer the full Endorsement and unwavering support of the FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE LODGE 73 to the next Mayor of Evansville, Cheryl Musgrave

 COMMISSIONER MUSGRAVE COMMENTS AFTER THE FOP ENDORSEMENT

I am so honored to have the support of the FOP, its members, associate members, and families. Thank you to the FOP PAC and membership. This honor comes with responsibility.  The responsibility is to provide the tools, training, and resources you need to do your job.  That job is to keep Evansville safe.

From day one, I pledge to put public safety at the core of my agenda.  The FOP needs and deserves to be supported with full staffing, competitive pay, proper equipment, vehicles, and training.  Our city’s safety is on the line.  My family and yours deserve a safe city, a city where the men and women who guard its safety are valued and treated with respect.

I’ve listened to and worked with law enforcement professionals for a long while now, and
learned what’s contributing to higher crime and a decrease in public safety in our city. I’m honored and humbled to receive this unprecedented endorsement because you are the frontline force, risking your lives every single day to protect us and our families from harm. You’ve told me that you’re hurting, and you need help now. As the next mayor of Evansville, I’ll give priority attention and support from day one.

Just a few years ago, Evansville had 129 patrol officers; today we have barely 100 —with nearly 35% of the entire department having five years or less in experience.  Retirements are up by 60% since 2019, and more than a third of our current force is eligible for retirement in four years.  The organized crime division experienced a 24% reduction in officers over the past 10 years. That reduction directly correlates with our city’s murder rate, which has tripled in the past five years compared with the previous five years.

Having enough experienced and well-trained officers who are compensated fairly and supported fully is a crucial part of making Evansville a safe and secure city.  As Mayor, I promise we will make that investment, for our police, our city, and our families.

I’m not talking about abstract ideals and goals.  I’m talking about real-world issues that hit home.  Our city is dependent upon the training and responsiveness of our law enforcement.  We witnessed this in a major way just a few weeks ago, when a gunman opened fire at a grocery store, wounding an employee and threatening many more employees and customers.

The men and women of the FOP – both EPD and Sheriff’s office– did not hesitate to respond, running toward the danger, arriving in their personal vehicles and even carrying personal rifles.  On and off-duty officers ran toward the danger and in mere minutes eliminated the threat.  You protected the store employees and the shoppers.  You deserve the support of the whole community, not just in the face of imminent danger, but every day as you keep the threat of danger at bay through your professional preparedness.

This endorsement, by the officers of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one of the deepest honors of my life.  When elected mayor, I will do everything that can be done to support the force and its mission to protect us all in the great city of Evansville. Because when we get breaking news of a crime, the most calming part is hearing: the “EPD en route”.

FOOTNOTE: The City-County Observer posted this article without bias or editing.

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