Attorney General Todd Rokita issued the following video with details regarding the fight to protect children from the CCP-controlled app, TikTok:
Sen. Braun, Rep. Baird Demand Answers From EPA
Sen. Braun, Rep. Baird demand answers from EPA on the decision to send hazardous materials to Indiana, halt shipment to MichiganÂ
WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Mike Braun and Congressman Jim Baird sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan demanding answers on why a shipment of hazardous materials from the East Palestine train derailment was halted on its way to an EPA-approved facility in Michigan, and why Indiana was instead chosen.
On February 24, the EPA started shipping contaminated soil and water to a landfill facility in Michigan licensed to deal with that type of material by the EPA. Michigan Congresswomen Debbie Dingell and Rashida Tlaib held a press conference that day saying they don’t want the material in their state. “No one deserves this in their backyard,†Tlaib said.
Thirty minutes later, the EPA announced they had halted the cleanup and delivery of contaminated materials to the licensed hazardous waste facility in Michigan. Five truckloads of contaminated materials were returned to East Palestine.
On February 27, EPA announced two other facilities – one in Ohio, and one in Roachdale, IN – would begin to receive materials.
EPA said they’d notify elected officials.
Governor Eric Holcomb said in a statement on February 28 that he learned about the decision to ship the materials to Indiana “third-hand.â€
The Indiana facility was the first facility outside of Ohio to receive contaminated materials after EPA exerted control over the cleanup. The Roachdale, IN facility is further away from the East Palestine site than the Michigan facility.
“We are concerned that, rather than a matter of safety, the decision to halt the Norfolk Southern cleanup was made in response to objections from elected officials in Michigan,†Senator Braun and Congressman Baird wrote in the letter to Administrator Regan.
The letter requests answers to the many questions regarding EPA’s decision-making, including:
- Exactly when did EPA decide to halt the Norfolk Southern cleanup?
- When EPA halted the Norfolk Southern cleanup, contaminated materials that were en route to a disposal facility were returned to East Palestine. What specific criteria were used to make this decision?
- In its official statements on February 25 and 26, EPA explained that each of the sites chosen by Norfolk Southern was “up to the standards†and “EPA-approved†to dispose of contaminated materials. If that is the case:
- Why did EPA halt the Norfolk Southern cleanup?
- Why did EPA recertify the Vickery, Ohio and East Liverpool, Ohio facilities, but not the Belleville, Michigan; Romulus, Michigan; or Deer Park, Texas facilities?
- What on-site testing procedures are in place in East Palestine to test contaminated materials for the types and levels of contamination before they are transported to a facility for disposal? Is EPA working to preemptively test and determine that facilities are certified to process the contaminants they are being asked to process?
BACKGROUND:
Senator Braun’s statement on the transfer:Â
“I am opposed to the transfer of hazardous materials from the East Palestine train derailment into Indiana. The Biden EPA and Transportation Department have mishandled this disaster from day one. Any material from this disaster being transferred to Indiana overseen by this Biden EPA is seriously concerning. Hoosiers’ safety is my top priority.â€
Congressman Baird’s statement on the transfer:Â
“For over a week, this administration has failed to properly address the public safety crisis created by the train derailment in Ohio, and now they’re blindsiding neighboring states by hastily relocating hazardous materials across state lines, jeopardizing countless Americans,†said Congressman Baird. “There are very serious implications associated with the relocation of such serious carcinogens, and this administration has a responsibility to carefully weigh the safest options before making rash decisions. My responsibility is to keep my constituents safe, and I will continue to push for transparency and stand up for the safety and well-being of the Hoosiers I’m proud to represent.â€
 Read the full letter.
# # #
USI Men’s basketball season comes to an end in St. Louis
USI Men’s basketball season comes to an end in St. Louis
Aces drop MVC tourney openerÂ
- LOUIS – Freshman Chris Moncrief scored a career-high nine points and Kenny Strawbridge Jr. added 12 points in Thursday’s Arch Madness opener against Indiana State. Highlighted by a 51-point second half, the Sycamores won by a final of 97-58 inside Enterprise Center.
“I thought we had a good game plan. Give credit to Indiana State for how they played and how focused they were,†UE head coach David Ragland said. “We played them a few times this season coming off losing streaks and that added some fuel for them. Indiana State fought to the end and our guys did too.â€
“Life is a journey and this is a chapter of it. I told our group to take their experiences from this year and learn from it. In order to succeed, you need to learn how to fail. We have good guys who got better every single day and really brought it.â€
Strawbridge led the Purple Aces with 12 points and five rebounds. Moncrief, Yacine Toumi and Gabe Spinelli added nine points apiece. For Moncrief, it was a career-high, surpassing his previous mark of six points.
Indiana State recorded the first seven points of the game with Toumi getting UE on the scoreboard with a free throw. The Sycamores extended the lead to 12-3 before Evansville got closer with a basket from Preston Phillips to make it a 14-7 contest. ISU responded with a 5-0 spurt to take a 19-7 advantage at the 13-minute mark.
Toumi hit another basket that made it a 19-9 score just over a minute later while ISU answered once again with eight points in a row to hold a 27-9 lead. The Sycamores led by as many as 19 points (44-25) in the opening period before a Chris Moncrief 3-pointer cut the halftime deficit to 46-28.
In the opening moments of the second half, ISU pushed the lead to 20 points while Preston Phillips converted a triple to get closer at 53-36. Up by a score of 58-40, Indiana State took control with a 31-10 run to go up 89-50. They picked up the victory by the same deficit. ISU shot 58.5% in the game with UE wrapping up the game at 33.3%.
Robbie Avila led the Sycamores with a game-high 21 points. Cooper Neese tallied 19.
Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 2, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear, First Lady Britainy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack attended the Team Kentucky update to inform Kentuckians on economic development success; Read Across America; rebuilding and recovery efforts in Eastern Kentucky; the largest Kentucky State Police (KSP) recruitment class in years; and public health. The Governor also named advocates working to fight against cancer as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear shared economic development news and highlighted companies investing in the commonwealth.
On Wednesday, the 2022 Governor’s Cup rankings were released, with Kentucky placing second nationally in economic projects per capita – up from ninth place last year – and first in the South Central region. The state also secured the ninth spot in the country for total qualifying projects, moving up two spots from the previous year.
Kentucky took the second spot in the South Central region for overall qualifying projects, secured 11 of the Top 100 Micropolitan areas – cities with populations between 10,000 and 50,000 – and tied for third nationally with 40 micropolitan projects.
“This is the result of hard work and dedication that we have always embraced here in the commonwealth,†said Gov. Beshear. “There is no better place to do business than in Kentucky.â€
The Governor also announced that Kentucky will receive a $117 million award to expand access to capital for small businesses across the state through the U.S. Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative.
Last week, Gov. Beshear joined local officials to break ground on a new Simpson County facility for Trader Joe’s East Inc., a leading retail distributor and supplier of food and beverage products, which will create 876 full-time jobs, including 91 direct roles behind a more than $259 million investment.
Read Across America
First Lady Britainy Beshear encouraged Kentuckians to join her in celebrating Read Across America Week. The annual weeklong celebration of reading kicks off today, March 2, and ends March 6.
“To all the young Kentuckians out there, I hope you will join me in celebrating Read Across America today through March 6,†said First Lady Beshear. “I hope you’ll keep reading for the rest of your life and find the same joy it brings to me.â€
Largest Starting KSP Cadet Class since 2014
Gov. Beshear announced that KSP welcomed 103 new cadets to the training academy in Frankfort on Sunday. This is the largest starting cadet class since 2014. The Governor recognized the KSP recruitment branch for working to recruit more troopers and increase diversity.
The cadets will receive 24 weeks of basic training with more than 1,000 hours of law enforcement education. For the first time, the cadet class will also receive training on integrated video recording systems and will be equipped with body-worn cameras upon graduation.
“To our new cadets, your choice to pursue this heroic career is a true testament to your desire to create a better, safer Kentucky,†said Gov. Beshear. “Team Kentucky will be praying for you, supporting you and advocating for resources to keep you safe as you work to keep us safe.â€
Eastern Kentucky Flood Update
Gov. Beshear provided an update on Eastern Kentucky’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Currently, 203 families are housed in travel trailers. Kentucky State Parks are now housing 20 people, down from the 360 people sheltered on Sept. 1, 2022.
As of this week, over $12.6 million in awards have been approved for the buy-out program. The awards account for 75 properties from Perry County, the City of Jackson, Breathitt County, Letcher County and newly approved Knott County applicants. Homeowners wishing to learn more about the program should contact their local judge/executive or emergency management office for more information.
If flood victims need help, they should call FEMA directly or visit a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC). MARCs are on a rotating schedule, which consists of two onsite personnel and one remote support person as needed. The staff will rotate from county to county each day. Visit governor.ky.gov/FloodResources for more information.
The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund has raised over $13.1 million from more than 41,500 donors. To contribute, click here.
EKY and WKY SAFE Fund AwardsÂ
Today, the Governor announced nearly $5.5 million in awards from the Western and Eastern Kentucky SAFE Funds. From the Western Kentucky SAFE Fund, Taylor County will receive more than $60,000 to help with ineligible debris removal.
Awards from the Eastern Kentucky SAFE Fund include:
- Over $1.75 million to the City of Hazard to help with strained finances after the floods;
- $3.5 million to the Knott County Fiscal Court to fund a FEMA match; and
- $160,000 to Letcher County to fund a FEMA match.
Public Health
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH), updated Kentuckians on measles and upcoming changes to COVID-19 reporting.
Last Friday, DPH confirmed a case of measles in an unvaccinated Jessamine County resident. Measles is a contagious respiratory virus that causes a high fever, rash, cough, runny nose and red eyes. Those who develop symptoms should self-isolate and call their medical provider to arrange testing. Unless you are severely ill, please call first so you don’t expose others to measles. Dr. Stack encouraged Kentuckians to get vaccinated against the virus.
Dr. Stack also provided an update on the federal COVID-19 public health emergency, which is set to end May 11. DPH continues to adapt its COVID-19 activities to support appropriate ongoing surveillance, information sharing and education.
When the public health emergency concludes, changes will begin to occur in the data collected and available to report related to COVID-19.
DPH will continue COVID-19 surveillance through kycovid19.ky.gov. The dedicated DPH COVID-19 question hotline will end May 12, concurrent with the end of the federal public health emergency. Starting March 6, DPH will standardize its COVID-19 dashboards to a single platform. The new version will be interactive and support additional pop-up information.
“COVID-19 is not over, but the formally declared public health emergency will soon end,†said Dr. Stack. “Thank you, all Kentuckians, for your engagement, kindness and care for each other during this generation-defining, once-in-a-century pandemic. We have gotten through this, and we got through it together.â€
Team Kentucky All-Stars
Gov. Beshear named all advocates working to fight against cancer as this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
The Governor and First Lady continue to support Kentuckians working to defeat cancer through increased research and awareness efforts. In February, the Governor recognized Childhood Cancer Research Advocacy Day and met with children and families affected by the disease. Yesterday, the Governor and First Lady recognized Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and emphasized the importance of regular screenings. The Governor also met with Daphne’s Legacy today, a Frankfort-based nonprofit working to raise awareness and help those affected by Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
“So many Kentuckians are impacted by cancer, including me and my family. It’s hard to lose someone we love, but when we work in their honor to help others it gives a meaningful way to honor and remember them,†said Gov. Beshear. “Today’s Team Kentucky All-Stars are working daily to raise awareness around different types of cancer and help more people affected go on to live full lives.â€
 THUNDERBOLTS AT BLOOMINGTON THIS SATURDAY, HOST RIVERMEN SUNDAYÂ
 THUNDERBOLTS AT BLOOMINGTON THIS SATURDAY, HOST RIVERMEN SUNDAYÂ
 Evansville, In.: After splitting last weekend’s games against the Rivermen and finishing the Month of February with a 5-1 record, the Thunderbolts take on the Rivermen once again this Saturday night in Bloomington, Illinois, before hosting Peoria once again on Sunday afternoon at Ford Center.
Week In Review:Â
 The Thunderbolts were defeated 2-1 on Friday night in Peoria, their only loss in the entire month of February. After James Isaacs tied the game 1-1 in the third period, the Rivermen won the game with a goal in the final second of regulation time. In Saturday’s rematch at Ford Center, a pair of goals from Fredrik Wink and goals from Alex Cohen, Jason Lavallee and Derek Osik propelled Evansville to a 5-2 victory. Trevor Gorsuch was spectacular in goal once again in both games, stopping 32 of 34 shots on Friday and 47 of 49 on Saturday.
 The Week Ahead:Â
The Thunderbolts start the upcoming weekend in Bloomington, Illinois on Saturday night as they take on the Rivermen in a neutral-site game just an hour away from Peoria at Grossinger Motors Arena, puck drop at 7:15 pm CT. The same two teams will face off once again on Ford Center ice this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 pm CT for the final Sunday Funday game of the season. $2 Bud Light 12oz cans and $2 hot dogs will be available until the end of the first intermission (while supplies last), and kids under 12 will receive a voucher for a free small bag of popcorn. There will also be a postgame meet-and-greet with the players at BJ’s Brewhouse on North Green River Road.  For tickets to Sunday’s game, call (812)422-BOLT (2658), go to EvansvilleThunderbolts.com or visit the Ford Center Ticket Office. Saturday night’s game can be viewed on SPHL TV with a paid subscription through HockeyTV or can be listened to for free on the Thunderbolts Radio Network via the Thunderbolts MixLr Channel or at EvansvilleThunderbolts.com/fan-center/live.
Coming Soon:Â
 The Thunderbolts’ next home games following this weekend will be on Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th as the Thunderbolts host the Macon Mayhem, both games starting at 7:00 pm CT. Friday the 10th will be PTO Giveback Night, where Tri-State Parent Teacher Organizations and Associations can purchase tickets to this game, with a portion of each ticket going back to their PTO or PTA. Saturday the 11th will be Pink the Rink & Heart Health Wellness Night, honoring those who have or are still dealing with life-challenging health situations. Following Friday’s game, fans may enter the Ford Center hospitality room in the back of the front lobby, where fans who contribute a $5 donation may paint the name of someone lost to, currently fighting, or has survived cancer, in pink paint on the ice (waiver required to be signed to come onto the ice surface). All names will be visible on the ice during the entirety of Saturday night’s game. There is also a special offer available, where those who wish to attend both home games can get $2 off each game if purchased together.
  Scouting the Opponent:Â
Peoria Rivermen:Â
-
- Record: 31-10-3, 65 Points, 1st Place
- Leading Goal Scorer: Alec Hagaman (19 Goals)
- Leading Point Scorer: Alec Hagaman (49 Points)
- Primary Goaltender: Eric Levine (14-6-2, .915 Save %)
- Thunderbolts 22-23 Record vs PEO: 4-4-0
- Prior to taking on the Thunderbolts, the Rivermen were defeated 4-3 in a shootout on Thursday night at Quad City. Goals from Alexandre Carrier, Cayden Cahill and Mitchell McPherson had given the Rivermen a 3-1 lead before the Storm rallied in the third period to force overtime and then the shootout, where Joseph Widmar scored for Peoria, but the Rivermen lost the shootout 2-1. Zach Wilkie and Jordan Ernst scored Peoria’s goals against Evansville on Friday, Ernst’s coming in the final second of regulation to win the game for the Rivermen. In their loss to the Thunderbolts on Saturday, Jake Hamilton and Alec Baer scored the only two Rivermen goals.
 Call-up ReportÂ
               – Chase Perry – Allen Americans (Prev. Greenville) – ECHL
                 – Greenville: 2 GP, 1-0-1, 1.93 GAA, .944 Save %
– Allen: 10 GP, 7-3-0, 3.34 GAA, .909 Save %
         – Matthew Barron – Trois-Rivieres Lions (Prev. Indy) – ECHL
                 – Indy: 4 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 P, 0 PIM
                 – Trois-Rivieres: 23 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P, 8 PIM
         – Mike Ferraro – Savannah Ghost Pirates – ECHL
                 – 6 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 P, 6 PIM
         – Dillon Hill – Trois-Rivieres Lions – ECHL
                 – 10 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P, 8 PIM
– Cameron Cook – Trois-Rivieres Lions – ECHL
– 7 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 4 PIM
         – Tanner Butler – Indy Fuel – ECHL
                 – 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 0 PIM
         – Bryan Etter – Indy Fuel – ECHL
                 – 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 P, 0 PIM
Transactions:Â Â Â Â
Mon. 2/27: D Bryan Etter called up Indy (ECHL)
Mon. 2/27: D Tanner Butler called up to Indy (ECHL)
Thur. 2/23: D Pierre-Luc Lurette signed to contract
Thur. 2/23: C Brett Radford placed on 21-Day Injured Reserve
Thur. 2/23: RW Kade Vilio signed to a contract
Individual game tickets and group packages are on sale for this 2022-23 season. Season tickets for the 2023-24 season are also now on sale. Call 812-422-BOLT or visit our all-new website (www.evansvillethunderbolts.com) for details.
About Evansville Thunderbolts: The Evansville Thunderbolts is the area’s only professional hockey team. The Thunderbolts are a proud member of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). The team is owned and operated by VW Sports, L.L.C, a subsidiary of VenuWorks, Inc. www.evansvillethunderbolts.com
Eagles slay the Knights, 18-5 USI wins its second series of the season
Eagles slay the Knights, 18-5
USI wins its second series of the season
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball rolled through Bellarmine University, 18-5, Sunday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. The Screaming Eagles, who take their second series of the season, watch their record go to 5-3, while Bellarmine goes to 4-2.
USI controlled the game from the start, scoring in five of the first six innings. The Eagles posted a run in the first, five in the second, two in the fourth, five in the fifth, and three in the sixth before finishing out the victory with two in the eighth to build an insurmountable 18-2 lead. Bellarmine rallied with three in the ninth for the 18-5 final.
The USI offensive attack was led by senior leftfielder Evan Kahre (Evansville, Indiana), who was three-for-four with five runs scored and two RBIs. Junior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) was the USI RBI-leader with four on a hit and three sacrifice flies.
In addition to Kahre and Ebest, sophomore shortstop Ricardo Van Grieken (Venezuela), senior catcher Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana), and freshman second baseman Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) drove in two runs each.
On the mound, sophomore right-hander Gavin Seebold (Jefferson, Indiana) was dominate through his five innings of work to get his first win of the season. Seebold (1-0) allowed one run on three hits, while striking out four.
For the game, USI’s five pitchers allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out five.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles hit the road next week to play a three-game set at Washington State University March 3-5 in Pullman, Washington. The three-game set will be the first meetings between the two programs all time.
Washington State, currently, is 5-1, playing the University of California San Diego later today and the University of Nevada Las Vega Monday in San Diego before hosting USI for its 2023 home opener.
Three School Records Fall On First Day Of MAC Championships
OXFORD, Ohio – Only two relay races were competed in by the University of Evansville men’s swimming team on Wednesday, but that didn’t stop the Purple Aces from breaking three school records on the first day of the 2023 Mid-American Conference Swimming & Diving championships hosted by Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
The 200-Yard Medley Relay team opened the meet by breaking the school record in the event for the second-straight year with a time of 1:28.41, while placing fourth overall. Then, in the 800 Freestyle Relay, UE lowered the school record with a time of 6:39.32, while senior Riccardo Di Domenico (Johannesburg, South Africa) absolutely destroyed the individual 200-Yard Freestyle record with a lead-split time of 1:36.59, which broke UE’s previous record by over a full second.
“What a great start for the week!” said UE head coach Stuart Wilson. “We got the jitters out of the way early tonight, and the team knows that they are going to step up after tonight’s swims.”
In the 200 Medley Relay, sophomore Patrik Vilbergsson (Kopavogur, Iceland) opened with a 50-Back split time of 22.79. Junior Alon Baer (Gesher HaZiv, Israel) then turned a split of 24.40 in the Breaststroke, while sophomore Daniel Santos Lopez (Madrid, Spain) posted a time of 21.24 in the Butterfly. Freshman Daniil Goncharuk (Kyiv, Ukraine) then came home with an anchor-leg time of 19.98 in the 50-Free to help UE place fourth overall. Ball State’s 200 Medley Relay team took home first place with a time of 1:26.35.
In the 800 Freestyle Relay, Di Domenico dominated the first 200 yards, as he had over a body length lead when he touched the wall with a time of 1:36.59. Because that time came from a standard start as the lead leg of the event, it was eligible for a school-record time, and it was easily over a second faster than UE Hall of Famer Nikola Kalabic’s school-record time of 1:37.66, which was set in 2001. From there, sophomores Jakob Grundbacher (Thalwil, Switzerland) and Carlos Souto (A Coruna, Spain) and junior Grant Kay (Ellicott City, Md./Hebron) teamed up to post a time of 6:39.32 overall, which bettered the previous UE school record in the event set in 2020.
The two relay events were the only two events contested on Wednesday, and UE currently sits in fourth place in the league standings with 58 points. The MAC Championships will continue on Thursday with both preliminary-round and finals action in the 500-Yard Freestyle, the 200 IM, the 50-Yard Freestyle, and the one-meter diving competition. Thursday night’s final will also feature the 200-Yard Freestyle Relay competition. Preliminary-round swims will begin at 9:30 a.m. central time, with the finals beginning at 5 p.m.
Softball looks to build on impressive start
UE travels to Bowling Green, Ky.
 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Receiving votes in the national poll for the first time in over 20 years, the University of Evansville continues its non-conference slate this weekend at the WKU Hilltopper Spring Fling.
Impending weather has modified the schedule with the most up-do-date information available on the Purple Aces softball schedule. Opening the season at 13-1, Evansville received two votes in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll earlier this week.
Having a major impact on that start has been Taylor Howe, who earned her first MVC accolade.
Howe batted .389 with seven hits, six RBI, four runs and three doubles in a 5-0 weekend for the Aces. Howe reached base 45.0% of the time and picked up a steal in her lone attempt of the weekend and was recognized as the MVC Newcomer of the Week.
Megan Brenton made four appearances over the last week and was clutch in all four as she earned two wins and two saves. On Friday against Purdue Fort Wayne, she entered in the seventh inning and tossed a scoreless frame to pick up a save. It did not take long for save #2 to come as later that evening, she tossed another scoreless 7th inning. She added two victories as UE completed another perfect weekend of action.
Another clutch performer for UE has been Jenna Nink. She led the Purple Aces with a .545 batting average with a home run, six RBI and six walks in a 5-0 week for her team. Nink completed the weekend with a .706 on-base percentage while scoring four runs. Highlighting her week was hitting the game-winning home run in Saturday’s win over Bowling Green. Her long ball in the 2nd frame was enough in a 2-0 UE win.
Trailblazers baseball ends the weekend with big team win over Morton College
Trailblazers baseball ends the weekend with big team win over Morton College
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University baseball team ended their long four-game weekend Sunday afternoon with what is possibly their most complete game as a team with a 12-4 win over Morton College at Jerry Blemker Field.
VU got off to a slow start with the Panthers getting a run on the board quickly after a leadoff double in the first.
The Trailblazers didn’t waste any time getting this run back in the bottom half of the inning however with sophomore Ethan Burdette (Linton, Ind.) leading off the game with a hit by pitch and scoring from first on an RBI double by sophomore Kaden Elliott (New Albany, Ind.).
Vincennes then took the lead in the second after freshman Xavier Brown (Franklin, Ind.) led off the inning with a walk and freshman Trevor Newman (Fort Wayne, Ind.) later got a single. Both would score on a two-RBI single by Kaden Elliott, giving the Blazers an early 3-1 lead with all three runs driven in by Elliott.
VU took full control of the game in the third inning with a massive two-out rally, including an RBI single by freshman Kade Hinton (Fort Wayne, Ind.), a two-RBI triple by Ethan Burdette and an RBI double by freshman Brandon Juarez (Evansville, Ind.). VU would send 10 batters to the plate and score six in the third inning as the Blazers held a 9-1 lead over the Panthers.
Vincennes continued to add on in the fourth after sophomore Kobe Bartlett (Rockport, Ind.) led off the inning with a double, his second hit of the day and was driven in by an RBI single by freshman Carter Whitehead (Huntingburg, Ind.).
Whitehead would later score on a sacrifice fly by Trevor Newman and Xavier Brown would get a double and score his third run of the game on a pinch hit RBI single by freshman Tucker Helton (Terre Haute, Ind.).
Morton would look to battle their way back into the game with a pair of runs in the fifth and a run in the sixth, but were unable to overcome the deficit as VU came away with the big 12-4 victory over the Panthers.
“Obviously, offensively today we did a good job,†Barney said. “Burdette came through with a triple and a couple of RBIs and led off the game and scored after being hit by a pitch. Kaden Elliott doubled him in to start the game for us and picked up two more RBIs. Kaden Elliott had a big day.â€
“Brandon Juarez did a good job today with an RBI double as well,†Barney added. “Kobe Bartlett had two hits. Carter Whitehead got an RBI. Down in the order Kade Hinton came through with an RBI single and Trevor Newman ended up 1-1 with a walk and a sac fly today. So we got production and a good performance out of just about every spot in the lineup today. On top of that we played some pretty good defense and looked good on the mound. When you put all of that together like we did today, we come out with a win.â€
“Tucker Helton came in and did a good job later in the game of getting two hits and an RBI,†Barney said. “Some of the other guys we were able to get into the game late were able to put together some good at bats. But right now Helton has been the one who has come off the bench and has done a good job at practice and hopefully it continues to translate into the game for him.â€
Freshman Josh McCormick (Indianapolis, Ind.) got the start on the mound Sunday and pitched into the sixth inning, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out one. McCormick worked very efficiently all game, ending with 65 pitches in five-plus innings of work and 62-percent of pitches being strikes.
Freshman Logan Medsker (Marshall, Ill.) then entered from the pen to throw the final two innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out two without allowing a run.
“Today all started on the mound,†Barney said. “Josh McCormick gave us a great outing of five-plus innings and kept us in the game with minimal damage. He walked one, we had an error and a passed ball. Other than that, he was pretty good.â€
The Trailblazers will now prepare for what is most likely their toughest weekend set of the season next weekend when VU hosts NJCAA Division II No. 12 Kellogg Community College Friday, March 3 at 5 p.m. eastern.
The weekend continues on Saturday, March 4 when VU faces Lincoln Trail College at 1 p.m. and NJCAA Division I No. 8 Wabash Valley at 6 p.m. eastern.
The weekend will conclude on Sunday, March 5 when VU takes the field against an opponent to be determined at 1 p.m. eastern.
“It’s an opportunity to play,†Barney said. “It’s an opportunity to play against good competition. You can’t get any better than this next weekend. You can’t get any better than having two nationally ranked teams in Kellogg and Wabash Valley and then Lincoln Trail is right up there with them. That’s as good of competition as we are going to face all year and hopefully it helps us get ready for the start of conference play.â€
BOX SCORE
Morton – 100   021  0 – 4
VU (4-8) – 126   300  x – 12
VINCENNES HITTING