FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Trailblazers drop home opener pitcher’s duel to D-III No. 15 Joliet
Trailblazers drop home opener pitcher’s duel to D-III No. 15 Joliet
VINCENNES, Ind. – After a lengthy break with multiple game cancellations due to weather, the Vincennes University Baseball team returned to the field Friday afternoon for their home opener at Jerry Blemker Field against NJCAA Division III No. 15-ranked Joliet Junior College.
The Trailblazers got off to a slow start and had trouble getting the bats going after not playing a game for over two weeks as the Wolves came away with the 6-0 victory over the host Blazers.
Joliet was the first to crack the scoreboard Monday afternoon, plating a pair of runs in the second and two more in the third to take an early 4-0 lead over VU.
The Trailblazers were unable to get a runner on base until the bottom of the third when the Blazers would get the bases loaded with two out but were unable to push a run across.
Vincennes would get opportunities late in the game with VU leading off the sixth and seventh innings with singles by sophomore Bradyn Douglas (Frankton, Ind.) and Corbin Napier (Indianapolis, Ind.) but those scoring opportunities were ended quickly with a pair of double plays.
Joliet’s offense was silenced throughout the middle innings of the game but were able get a pair of insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings to stretch their lead to 6-0 going into the bottom of the ninth.
Vincennes would once again look to string together some base runners and get a late comeback, loading the bases in the bottom of the eighth with two outs but were again held off the scoreboard.
VU’s last chance attempt in the ninth closed quickly as well after freshman Carter Gricius (Scottsburg, Ind.) was hit by pitch but was unable to advance past first base as Joliet closed out the 6-0 victory over the Trailblazers.
Offensively, one bright spot on the day did come from the top of the batting order, where leadoff hitter Bradyn Douglas collected two hits and a walk to reach base in three of his four plate appearances, while freshman Jevan Andrews (Hobart, Ind.) followed him in the two-hole with a single and a walk.
Another bright spot on the day for Vincennes came on the mound as sophomore Carson Allen (Louisville, Ky.) got the start for VU, throwing four innings and allowing four runs on four hits and striking out three.
Allen then turned the game over to freshman Jacob Allen (Vincennes, Ind.) who closed out the final five innings on the mound, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out seven and not allowing a walk in the game.
The Trailblazers will look to bounce back and get back in the win column when VU returns to Jerry Blemker Field Tuesday, Feb. 25 for a split doubleheader starting against Morton College at 11 a.m. eastern, before ending the day with a rematch against D-III No. 15 Joliet J.C. at 4 p.m. eastern.
Softball defeats Western Michigan and UT Martin
Softball defeats Western Michigan and UT Martin
Aces wrap up home weekend
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Morgan Adams hit three home runs in two games on Monday to lead the University of Evansville softball team to victories over Western Michigan and UT Martin at Tri-State Orthpaedics Field at Cooper Stadium.
Game 1 – UE 7, Western Michigan 2
Evansville opened the day with a 7-2 victory over Western Michigan as Jess Willsey and Morgan Adams each recorded a home run to lead UE to a victory.
After the Broncos posted the first run of the game, the Aces tied the score in the bottom of the second with Adams hitting a solo home run. UE took the lead an inning later when Jess Willsey launched a 2-run shot. Keghan Pye, who hit a 1-out single, also scored on the play.
WMU picked up its second run of the game in the top of the fourth before the Aces countered with four scores in the bottom of the frame. Adams, Jenna Donohoo, and Brooke Voss each batted in a run while Niki Bode scored on an error. From there, UE held the Broncos in check to take the win.
Elle Jarrett made the start and allowed two runs, one earned, in four innings of work. She earned her first win of the season. Gracie Holingsworth tossed the final three frames and allowed just one hit.
Game 2 – UE 9, UT Martin 0
Kate Ridgway allowed just two hits in five innings of work to lead the Purple Aces to a 9-0 win to wrap up the day. The freshman walked just one batter while striking out seven as the Aces won their second contest of the afternoon.
Evansville took control with a 5-run second inning. Morgan Adams hit a leadoff solo home run to open the scoring while Niki Bode and Abby Bode both followed up with singles. Both would score on an RBI single by Keghan Pye. Brooke Voss and Jess Willsey added RBI knocks in the frame.
Two more runs scored in the bottom half of the third with Adams hitting her second solo home run of the game with one out. Jenna Donohoo added an RBI single to extend the lead to 7-0. UE put the finishing touches on the day with two more scores in the fourth. Niki Bode and Miriah Powell knocked in the runs.Ridgway shut the Skyhawks down in the fifth to clinch the victory. Evansville had 11 hits with Willsey, Adams, and Niki Bode picking up two apiece. Adams scored twice, both on solo home runs.
UE is back on the road this weekend for a tournament at Western Kentuky.
-www.GoPurpleAces.com-
Tayshawn Comer named MVC Newcomer of the Week
Tayshawn Comer named MVC Newcomer of the Week
Comer averaged 21.5 PPG last week
For the first time this season, University of Evansville junior Tayshawn Comer has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week.
The Indianapolis native averaged 21.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game in two contests for the Purple Aces over the last week. He played all 80 minutes while shooting 46.2% from outside and 78.6% from the line.
Comer opened the week with 21 points, 5 boards, and 5 assists in the win at Indiana State. His efforts helped UE earn just its second win at the Hulman Center since 2011.
He followed that up with another strong effort against UIC on Saturday. He scored 22 points to go along with 7 caroms, and 7 assists. He was 7-of-8 from the line while adding a block and steal.
This marks the first Newcomer of the Week award for Comer. He was the league’s Player of the Week on Jan. 6.
-www.GoPurpleAces.com-
Eagles set for OVC Indoor Championships
Eagles set for OVC Indoor Championships
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Men’s & Women’s Track & Field competes at the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championships Tuesday and Wednesday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Running events on Tuesday are set to begin at 1:40 p.m. (CST), while Wednesday’s running events are slated to start at 11:30 a.m. (CST).
The Screaming Eagles have performed well this winter as USI’s women own the top two times in the OVC in the 800 meters and the 5,000 meters. They also rank first in the 3,000 meters and have three of the top five times in the mile.
Freshman Hadessah Austin has the league’s fastest times in both the 3,000 meters (9:40.99) and the 5,000 meters (16:28.57) this season. The All-OVC honoree on the grass this fall has been named OVC Freshman of the Week as well as OVC Track Athlete of the Week this winter.
Another freshman making a mark on the Eagles’ lineup is Abrielle Richard, who was named the OVC Freshman and Track Athlete of the Week on February 7. She holds the fastest time in the 800 meters (2:12.15) this season and the third-fastest time in the mile (4:57.74).
Senior Audrey Comastri is second in the OVC in both the 800 meters (2:12.46) and the mile (4:51.12), while junior Ellie Hall is second in the 5,000 meters (16:58.46).
Sophomore Alex Nolan has the league’s top time in the men’s 5,000 meters (14:14.18) and is second in the 3,000 meters (8:14.52), while junior Isaac Stanford is second in the mile (4:06.44) and eighth in the 800 meters (1:53.05).
USI’s men also have gotten solid performances out of OVC Cross Country Runner of the Year Brady Terry, who ranks third in the OVC in the 3,000 meters (8:15.84) and seventh in the 5,000 meters (14:45.16).
The OVC Indoor Track & Field Championships can be watched on ESPN Plus with a subscription. Links for tickets, ESPN Plus, meet schedule and live results can be accessed at USIScreamingEagles.com.
USI makes additions to baseball schedule
USI makes additions to baseball schedule
Story Links
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball has added a pair of games to this weekend’s schedule due to the loss of contests because of weather during the first week of the 2025 season.
In addition to the scheduled USI games against Bowling Green State University (noon) and Southern Illinois University (4 p.m.) Friday, the Screaming Eagles will play a second game against Bowling Green Saturday at 4 p.m. and SIU Sunday at 4 p.m. All games will be played at SIU’s Itchy Jones Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.
For more information on the USI Baseball schedule, visit USIScreamingEagles.com.
Evansville City Council Rejects Mayor’s Request for $175,000 Website
In a Dodge-like move, the Evansville City Council voted 5-4 to reject Mayor Stephanie Terry’s request for a $175,000 funds transfer to build a new city website.
The request had its first reading in January and was scheduled for a vote on February 10, but when the administration heard that there was some resistance to the measure, they had the appropriation removed from the agenda. The vote on the measure was rescheduled for last night (11/24), where it hit a wall of resistance.
Missy Mosby, the 2nd Ward City Councilor, took to social media over the weekend to draw public attention to the plan. “I oppose spending these funds on wants when so many people have pressing needs,” Mosby said. I believe we need to prioritize needs over wants and be responsible with our resources.”
Where did the money come from?
The administration wanted money for the website to come from an interest account that has accumulated from the American Rescue Act Funds. The interest account currently has over $2.5 million in it. Earlier this year, the Mayor dipped into the fund to pay for a $114,175 strategic plan for the city government.
When asked who the city planned to contract with for the site, the mayor’s spokesman, Joe Atkinson told us that the job hasn’t been put out for bids and they were waiting until the money is appropriated to get bids.
City council members voting against appropriating funds for the website include: Missy Mosby, Tanisha Carothers, Angela Koehler Lindsey, Jim Brinkmeyer, and Courtney Johnson
Sinkhole Closes Riverside Drive
Both westbound lanes on Riverside Drive are completely closed to all traffic between Cherry Street and Chestnut Street while EWSU investigates a large sinkhole. Westbound traffic on Riverside is being detoured onto Cherry Street. The section of road will remain closed while crews determine the cause of the sinkhole and complete repairs.