VU Baseball overcomes early deficit in road comeback win at Olney Central

OLNEY, Ill. – The Vincennes University baseball team hit the road Wednesday afternoon for a mid-week showdown with NJCAA Division I Olney Central College.

The Trailblazers fell behind early but battled back and overcame an early five run deficit to pick up the 16-11 victory over the Blue Knights.

Vincennes got the scoring going early with VU leadoff hitter sophomore Bradyn Douglas (Frankton, Ind.) starting the game with a single.

Douglas advanced around the bases on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout before scoring the first run of the game on an RBI double by freshman Carter Gricius (Scottsburg, Ind.).

Olney Central answered back in the bottom half of the inning with a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead.

VU would regain the lead in the second with a big two-out rally started by a single by freshman Wyatt Burris (Farmland, Ind.) and an RBI double by sophomore Bryce Gross (Bridgeport, Ill.).

The inning continued with Bradyn Douglas reaching on an error before stealing second to put runners on second and third.

Freshman Jevan Andrews (Hobart, Ind.) gave the Blazers the lead back with a two-RBI single to put VU back ahead 4-2.

This lead would not stand however as Olney Central responded back with three runs in the second and four runs in the third to take a 9-4 lead over the Trailblazers.

The middle innings were much kinder to the Trailblazers though, as VU began their big comeback in the fourth with leadoff walks by sophomores Damon Kay (Spencer, Ind.) and Noble Johnson (Terre Haute, Ind.).

The Blazers would get their first run of the inning on an RBI double by Wyatt Burris, followed by a run scoring fielder’s choice put in play by Bryce Gross to cut the deficit to three.

The inning continued after a two out walk by Jevan Andrews leading to a successful double steal with Gross scoring from third.

Andrews would come around to score later in the inning on an RBI single by sophomore Nate Montgomery (Lexington, Ind.) to put the Trailblazers back within one run at 9-8.

Olney Central would get a run back in the fifth to put their lead back at two but it would not stand as the Blazers came through with another big inning at the dish in the sixth.

Bradyn Douglas led off the inning with a single, followed by a two-run home run by Jevan Andrews, his first collegiate home run to even the score at 10-10.

Nate Montgomery walked and Carter Gricius was hit by pitch before the pair moved up 90 feet on a passed ball to give the Blazers two runners in scoring position.

Noble Johnson came through with a big two-out two RBI double later in the inning, scoring Montgomery and Gricius and putting the Blazers on top 12-10.

VU would add to their lead in the seventh with a leadoff solo home run by Bryce Gross, his third RBI of the game and third home run of the season.

Bradyn Douglas followed this with a single, later advancing on a fielding error and scoring on an RBI single by Nate Montgomery to give VU a 14-10 lead.

Olney Central would get a run back in the seventh but were unable to put together a big inning of their own.

Vincennes added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth after a leadoff double by Bryce Gross, his third hit of the game, followed by an RBI single by Bradyn Douglas, his fourth hit of the game.

Douglas advanced on a successful sacrifice bunt, stole third base and later scored on a wild pitch to score his fifth run of the afternoon and give the Blazers a 16-11 advantage heading to the bottom of the ninth.

The VU pitchers were able to hold the Blue Knights off the scoreboard in the bottom half of the inning as the Trailblazers completed the 16-11 comeback victory over Olney Central.

“This was a good team win,” VU Head Baseball Coach Chris Barney said. “A lot of guys contributed. I’m excited about the way that we battled back after being down 9-4, coming back and being down 9-8, jumping ahead and continuing to add on, so that’s a positive thing for us.”

“Looking at some of the guys who contributed today, Douglas had four hits, Andrews had a two run home run and four RBIs, Montgomery had two RBIs with two singles, Gricius hit a ball off the wall and had a walk and a hit by pitch,” Barney added. “Noble Johnson had a big two RBI hit late in the game, Wyatt Burris doubled early and a single and then obviously Bryce Gross with three RBIs with a home run, two doubles and four hits. A lot of guys contributed and that’s a good thing to see going into the weekend. This is a good mid-week win for us and hopefully we can hang on to some of that momentum heading into the weekend.”

Freshman Jakob Hoyer (Georgetown, Ind.) got the start on the mound for the Trailblazers, throwing the first inning, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and striking out one.

Freshman Jacob Allen (Vincennes, Ind.) pitched the second inning, allowing three runs, one earned on two hits and punching out three.

Freshman Kory Kingsbury (Evansville, Ind.) allowed four runs on four hits and struck out one in two thirds of an inning, before turning the game over to fellow freshman Ryan Rayburn (Columbus, Ind.) who threw one and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on one hit.

Sophomore Yancey Edlin (Pekin, Ind.) helped settle the ship on the mound, throwing three innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out two.

Wyatt Burris retired the only batter he faced on two pitches before freshman Ty Stultz (Terre Haute, Ind.) took over, throwing two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits and striking out one.

Bryce Gross took the mound to close out the game for the Trailblazers, facing two batters in two thirds of an inning and striking out one in just six pitches.

“Obviously Yancey Edlin did a great job for us,” Barney said. “Then Wyatt Burris came in and got his out. Then Ty Stultz got an out right away and Bryce Gross coming in and getting the last two outs of the game was kind of how it was supposed to work out. We’re excited for those guys who have done a good job, managed the game for us and gave us a chance in those situations.”

The Trailblazers will look to carry this momentum into the weekend as the Blazers prepare for another Mid-West Athletic Conference series, this time squaring off against No. 14-ranked Parkland College.

The four-game weekend series will begin Friday, March 21 with the first two games played at Jerry Blemker Field in Vincennes. First pitch Friday is set for 1 p.m. eastern.

The series will then shift to Champaign, Ill. Saturday, March 22 for the final two games at Parkland College, first pitch Saturday is also scheduled for 1 p.m. eastern.

“It’s just confidence,” Barney said. “It’s just confidence in trying to play well. We’ve still got some things to work on defensively but we’re getting better and that’s a good thing.”

“This weekend is going to be a huge test for us,” Barney added. “Parkland is Nationally ranked and they are playing well right now. They won three out of four against Lincoln Land and had a big 11-10 win last night after being down 9-2. They will be ready to go Friday at our place.”

BOX SCORE

VU (11-12, 2-6) – 130   404   202 – 16

Olney Central – 234   010   100 – 11

VINCENNES HITTING

2B – Gross 2, Gricius, Burris. HR – Andrews, Gross. RBI – Andrews 4, Gross 3, Montgomery 2, Johnson 2, Douglas, Gricius. Sac Bunt – Andrews 2. SB – Douglas 2, Andrews, Montgomery, Gricius.

USI starts road trip with loss at APSU

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball started this week’s action with a 15-5 loss at Austin Peay State University Wednesday afternoon in Clarksville, Tennessee. USI is 8-11 overall after today’s game, while Austin Peay State University goes 15-7 this year.

The Screaming Eagles got out in front early with a pair of runs in the first and one in the top of the second. Junior first baseman Kannon Coakley put the Eagles on the board to start the scoring with an RBI single, while junior leftfielder BJ Banyon knocked in the second tally with a second RBI single for the 2-0 lead.

After the Governors cut the lead in half with a tally in the bottom of the first, junior catcher Micajah Wall gave USI a 3-1 lead with a bomb over the center field wall. The home run was Wall’s first of the season and first as a Screaming Eagle.

APSU responded to the Wall home run with a five spot in the bottom of the second to take a 6-3 lead. USI junior designated hitter Cole Kitchens pulled the Eagles back to within two runs, 6-4, on a home run to left field. The home run was Kitchens’ team-high third of the year.

Kitchens finished the day two-for-two and raised his batting average to a team-high and Ohio Valley Conference-best .460. He also is batting .568 (21-37) in the last 10 games.

The Governors scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to put themselves up 8-4. USI cut into the lead once again in the top of the fifth to 8-5 when senior centerfield Khi Holiday scored after junior shortstop Clayton Slack reached on an error.

The 8-5 score would be as close as USI would come the rest of the game as APSU finalized the scoring with seven in the bottom of the eighth for the 15-5 decision.

On the mound, junior lefthander Jake Porter started and took the loss for the Eagles. Porter allowed six runs, four earned on five hits and one walk, while striking out two in two frames of work.

Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles open the Ohio Valley Conference 2025 schedule when they visit Western Illinois University this weekend for a three-game series. The series starts Friday at 2 p.m.; continues Saturday at 1 p.m.; and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Leathernecks of WIU are 5-12 overall after falling to Southern Illinois University, 6-3, Tuesday and have lost five of the last six games. USI leads the all-time series with WIU, 6-3, after sweeping the three-game series last year.

USI Women’s Basketball to host WNIT second-round game Sunday

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball will host its second-round game of the 2025 Postseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) on Sunday at 6 p.m. inside Liberty Arena, home of the Screaming Eagles.

The news comes following an announcement by the WNIT, powered by Triple Crown Sports, on Wednesday morning.

Southern Indiana (22-12, 12-8 OVC) was selected for its second consecutive WNIT berth earlier this week and received a first-round bye. The Screaming Eagles await the winner of the first-round matchup between Coastal Carolina University (23-8) and Campbell University (21-12). Coastal Carolina and Campbell will play Thursday at 5 p.m. CT at Coastal Carolina.

Tickets for Sunday’s home game are $10 and will go on sale Wednesday at 4 p.m., including available lower-bowl seating. Season ticket holders will have the opportunity to buy their same seats until Thursday at 5 p.m. All seat inventory will open up to the general public on Friday at 8 a.m. Fans can purchase tickets in person at the USI Ticket Office inside Liberty Arena, call (812) 465-1189, or reserve their seats by emailing Blake Bruner at bkbruner@usi.edu. The ticket office will be open until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Thursday’s ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fans can follow the 2025 Postseason WNIT through X/Twitter (@WomensNIT), Facebook (womensNIT), and the hashtag #WNIT.

• Quad City Storm:
  • Record: 21-25-4, 46 Points, 8th Place
  • Leading Goal Scorer: Leif Mattson (28 Goals)
  • Leading Point Scorer: Leif Mattson (64 Points)
  • Primary Goaltender: Brent Moran (18-13-3, .920 Save %)
  • Thunderbolts 24-25 Record vs QCS: 7-2-1

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Having earned program-record seventh place national finishes the last two seasons, No. 7-ranked Indiana looks to keep climbing to new heights this week at the 2025 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Federal Way, Washington.

The four-day meet will run Wednesday (March 19) through Saturday (March 22) inside the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center. Final sessions will kick off at 9 p.m. ET each evening. Preliminary heats will begin at 10 a.m. every morning beginning Thursday. Fans can stream the competition via the ESPN+ digital platform.

Fourteen Hoosiers combine to compete in every event. Six seniors lead the way for Indiana in what will be their final collegiate meet: Brearna Crawford, Mariah Denigan, Ching Hwee Gan, Skyler Liu, Kacey McKenna and Anna Peplowski.

Peplowski can end her collegiate career emphatically as the No. 1-seed in the 200-yard freestyle. Her 1:40.69 relay split from Big Ten Championships makes her the event’s only entrant under 1:41.00. That time also made Peplowski the joint Big Ten record holder as well as the ninth-fastest swimmer ever. Peplowski told Swimming World Magazine that she aims to become just the fourth swimmer to break the 1:40 barrier in the 200 free.

Should Peplowski capture the title, she would become Indiana’s first women’s freestyle champion ever and first swimming champion since Lilly King won four straight in both the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard breaststroke from 2016-19.

The top three swimmers in the event all come from the Big Ten after Peplowski, Michigan sophomore Stephanie Balduccini (1:41.16) and USC sophomore Minna Abraham (1:41.29) battled for the Big Ten crown, with the Wolverine coming out on top on that occasion. Peplowski is the lone swimmer of the three that has ever swum under 1:41 and has done it twice – other than that relay, Peplowski went 1:40.97 during last year’s NCAA final to place second by seven hundredths to Florida’s Bella Sims. Sims elected to swim the 100 back over the 200 free at this year’s meet.

Peplowski will get her first chance to swim a 200 free leading off Wednesday’s 800-yard freestyle relay. She also ranks No. 5 in the 500 free – which she placed third in a year ago – and ninth in the 100 free. She owns the program records in all three of her events.

Liu’s momentum, repeating as Big Ten Champion in both the 3-meter and platform events, could push Indiana to similar diving success its seen in recent championships with a medalist in each of the last four championships. The Big Ten diving finals may look like the NCAA finals as Liu defeated three Olympians in the 3-meter springboard and two on platform.

A two-event finalist for Texas A&M last season, sophomore transfer Miranda Grana is ranked top 10 in each of her events. Grana finished 25th in the 100-yard butterfly a year ago but comes into the 2025 national meet as the No. 6 seed with her Big Ten title-winning 50.80. She also won silver in both the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke events and will look to repeat A final finishes from a year ago as the No. 7 and No. 9 seed, respectively.

Joining Grana in the backstroke events are McKenna and junior Mya DeWitt. McKenna placed sixth in front of Grana in the 100 back at last year’s NCAA Championships and comes into this meet as the No. 13-seeded swimmer. Grana and McKenna earned silver and bronze medals at Big Tens and are the only Hoosiers ever under 51 seconds in the event.

Indiana’s senior distance duo of Denigan and Gan will vie to reach the podium for a third consecutive season. Gan is a two-time NCAA medalist and Big Ten Champion in the event, and Saturday’s swim will represent one last opportunity to break Lindsay Vrooman’s 11-year-old program record; Gan posted a personal best 15:46.22 at Big Tens, and Vrooman’s standard sits at 15:44.45.

Junior and Bloomington native Kristina Paegle can continue to lower her 50-yard freestyle program record, which she reclaimed on her way to her first Big Ten individual title last month.

Ashley Turak’s 21.73 captured the record at last year’s NCAA meet, but Paegle’s 21.63 in March took back the distinction and placed her ninth in the country coming into the NCAA meet. Paegle also ranks No. 17 in the 100 free, needing a top 16 finish to score for the Hoosiers.

Indiana ranks top 10 in all five relays, highlighted by its No. 5-ranked 400-yard medley relay. If the Hoosiers can improve to finish top eight in each race, it would mark the first time in program history that every relay reached the podium.

MEET INFO

Wednesday, March 19 – Saturday, March. 22 • 1 p.m. ET (prelims), 9 p.m. (finals)

Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center • Federal Way, Washington

Live Results (Swimming): https://bit.ly/4iZNufF

Live Results (Diving): divemeets.com

Live Stream: ESPN+

SCHEDULED EVENTS (Finals)
Wednesday (5 p.m. ET) – 200 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay
Thursday (5 p.m. ET) – 500 Freestyle, 200 IM, 50 Freestyle, 1-Meter Dive, 200 Freestyle Relay
Friday (5 p.m. ET) – 100 Butterfly, 400 IM, 200 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Backstroke, 3-Meter Dive, 400 Medley Relay
Saturday (5 p.m. ET) – 1,650 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Breaststroke, 200 Butterfly, Platform Dive, 400 Freestyle Relay

INDIANA SWIMMING AND DIVING QUALIFIERS
2025 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships
Mary Kate Cavanaugh – 1-meter, platform
Brearna Crawford – 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke
Mariah Denigan – 500 freestyle, 1,650 freestyle
Mya DeWitt – 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke
Ching Hwee Gan – 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 1,650 freestyle
Miranda Grana – 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 100 butterfly
Skyler Liu – 3-meter, platform
Kacey McKenna – 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke
Kristina Paegle – 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle
Anna Peplowski – 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle
Ella Roselli – 1-meter, 3-meter, platform
Reese Tiltmann – 200 breaststroke, 200 IM, 400 IM
Ava Whitaker – 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly
Lily Witte – 1-meter, 3-meter, platform
200 freestyle relay
400 freestyle relay
800 freestyle relay
200 medley relay
400 medley relay

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.- University of Southern Indiana Men’s Golf starts strong, but finishes sixth among talented 12-team field at the Twin Oaks Intercollegiate, hosted by Missouri State University.
 
The Screaming Eagles shot a team score of 871 (287, 292, 292) over the two-day tournament of three rounds. Senior Jason Bannister was locked in on the first day, leading the Eagles with a fourth-place finish at even par, scoring a 213 (69, 69, 75). Senior Sam Vertanen climbed 29 spots in the final round to finish tied for 12^th, scoring a 217 (71, 77, 69).
 
The final order of finish included Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (+2), Missouri State (+11), University of Northern Iowa (+16), University of Nebraska-Omaha (+16), Western Illinois University (+18), USI (+19), Southern Utah University (+22), Bradley University (+23), University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (+33), Lindenwood University (+34), Evangel University (+51), and Eastern Illinois University (+55).
 
Round 1
USI came prepared in the first round the Eagles have played at this tournament. The squad finished three over par at 287, tied for third place. The four top scores finished the round with eight birdies, 53 pars, and only 11 bogeys.
 
Bannister started the tournament shooting a 69, marking the sixth time the senior has broke 70 in the 2024-25 season. The round featured three birdies, 14 pars, and only one bogey.
 
Vertanen trailed right behind in 11^th, shooting an even round of 71. Junior Carter Goebel used a six-hole par streak to total a strong score of 73, while freshman Alex Peck tied his career best round with a 74.
 
Round 2
The afternoon round saw a small regression for the Eagles, falling to sixth place after shooting a 292 (+9). Bannister finished two rounds at second overall after shooting another 69, only five strokes outside of the leader. The senior only committed three bogey’s, breaking 70 for the seventh time in 19 rounds this season.
 
Goebel turned in another 73, totaling five birdies, six pars, and seven bogey’s. Peck delivered a massive round two as a freshman for the Eagles with a 73, breaking his career best. Vertanen rounded out the scoring with a 77.
 
Round 3
The Eagles bounced around the leaderboard on Tuesday’s final round. USI concluded play with a 292 (+9), finishing behind Ohio Valley Conference foe, Western Illinois by one stroke.
 
Vertanen jumped 29 participants on Tuesday, securing the third Eagles score below par of the weekend with a 69.
 
USI leaves Springfield, placing third among five competing conference schools which they will see at the end of the season. The Eagles will use this as fuel only two competitions into the spring season.

What’s Next
The squad heads to Pawleys Island, South Carolina on Mar. 31-Apr.2. USI will compete in the Golfweek/AGT Intercollegiate. 

 UE takes second at Nevel Meade Collegiate

 PROSPECT, Ky. – A furious rally saw the University of Evansville women’s golf team stage a late rally before finishing in second place, just three strokes behind the winner in the second round of the Nevel Meade Collegiate at Nevel Meade Golf Course.

Trailing by 12 strokes following the first round, the Purple Aces stormed back to finish just three behind eventual tournament champion Lindenwood.  The Lions posted a 609 while UE finished with a 612.

Leading the way for UE was Louise Standtke who carded a 1-over 73 in the second round of the tournament to finish the weekend with a 146 on the way to a runner-up finish.  Taking third place on the final leaderboard was Mallory Russell.  A 5-over 77 on Tuesday gave her a 150 for the tournament.

Kate Petrova came home in a tie for 5^th place.  After recording a 75 on Monday, Petrova shot a 78 in the final round to post a 153.  Elizabeth Mercer tied for 16^th place.  She improved from an 82 in round one to an 81 in the final 18 holes.  Jane Grankina tied for 29^th with a 174.  She wrapped up Tuesday’s round with a score of 85.

Trinity Dubbs was Evansville’s top individual finisher.  Following an 82 in the opening 18, Dubbs posted an 80 in the last round to finish in a tie for 13^th with a 162.  Destynie Sheridan wrapped up the weekend in 35^th place with a score of 179.