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Haynie’s Corner Arts District First Friday
Baseball Aces late rally not enough at Murray State
Despite out-hitting Murray State, the University of Evansville baseball team could not come up the key knock in the final frame, as the Purple Aces dropped another heartbreaker on the road, falling to the Racers, 11-9, Wednesday evening at Reagan Field.
Evansville seized the early advantage, as senior catcher Andrew Tanous drove freshman designated hitter Pete Vaccaro in the top of the second inning to tally the icebreaker, making it 1-0 Aces.
UE sophomore starting pitcher David Ellis would give way to the bullpen in the bottom of third, and Murray State caught fire. Junior reliever Hunter Porterfield got tagged for three runs on two hits. Senior right hander Jimmy Ward would be called upon to relieve Porterfield, and would give up four runs to the Racers. Sophomore hurler Nathan Croner would give up one more tally before putting out the fire. However, the Aces would find themselves in a 7-1 hole.
Evansville would respond immediately in the top of the fourth, loading up the bases for junior infielder Sam Troyer, who delivered a bunt single that would clear the bases as a throwing error by the third baseman would allow Craig Shepherd, Andrew Tanous and Pete Vaccaro to all cross the plate, drawing the Aces within three, at 7-4.
After Croner gave a run back to Murray State on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the frame, Evansville sophomore outfielder Troy Beilsmith got it back, ripping an RBI triple to left, scoring Troyer, making the score 8-5 Racers.
Still down three runs in the eighth inning, the Aces would go on a tear. Freshman third baseman Tanner Craig lined a sacrifice fly to center fielder, bringing in Stewart Nelson for one tally. Then, sophomore center fielder Kenton Crews hit a hot shot to shortstop, with the resulting error allowing Sam Troyer to score, drawing Evansville within one, at 9-8. Finally, with two outs, junior outfielder Matt Jones struck out. However, a dropped ball by the Murray State catcher allowed him to take first and let Dalton Horstmeier to tally the equalizer, making it 9-9.
However, in the bottom of the eighth, after Horstmeier, in relief, struck out the first two batters of the inning, allowed the Racers to put the next two batters aboard. Senior closer Ryan Brady came in in relief and proceeded to give up a double down the right field line to second baseman Grant Wood, allowing the go-ahead run to cross. Then an error by Craig, who switched over to first base, would bring in the insurance run for Murray State, making it 11-9 Racers.
Evansville wasn’t finished though, as they loaded up the bases with one out in their final at-bat. However, Horstmeier and Craig struck out to end the would-be rally.
“Dug ourselves too big of a hole, giving up seven runs in one inning”, said University of Evansville head coach Wes Carroll. “Our offense showed great fight to get back in the game, but couldn’t get a zero on the board in winning time to complete the comeback.”
The Purple Aces dropped to 6-16 on the season, while Murray State improves to 15-14.
Up next for Evansville is the Missouri Valley Conference opening series at Missouri State. Game one of the series is slated for Friday at Springfield’s Hammons Field. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
“READERS FORUM” APRIL 5, 2018
We hope that today’s “Readers Forumâ€Â will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?
WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Are you pleased with the overall progress of Evansville since Mayor Winnecke took office?
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Pump Station Project Will Help Improve Bee Slough Area And Relocate Waterworks Road Downtown
APRIL 5TH, 2018Â 
TYRONE MORRISÂ EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
The Evansville Parks Commission says a pump station project set to begin in January 2019 will help improve the Bee Slough area. The commission gave an update on the progress of the Effluent Pump Station project.
The pump station which is part of the Refresh Evansville project is set to last two years. It will eliminate Subset Park, relocate the Kids Kingdom, and relocate to Waterworks Road in downtown Evansville.
The update from EWSU to the Parks Board confirmed they’re on target to begin work on the project and that it’ll be an important part of downtown’s progress.
Evansville Parks Executive Director Brian Holtz says, “It’s a needed project by the water sewer utility so they’ve identified that area and in return, we’re getting again as I said in this meeting much larger opportunity and expanded space not only for kids kingdom but for that entire area.
The city is still looking for volunteers to rebuild the Kids Kingdom which will be done over 10 days in September.
General Assembly Receives Mixed Report Card From Indiana’s Schools Chief
By Quinn Fitzgerald
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS –Indiana’s state superintendent of public instruction on Monday gave the General Assembly mixed reviews over what was accomplished for education in the 2018 legislative session.
Dr. Jennifer McCormick said she was excited to see the success of Senate Enrolled Act 177, which establishes one Indiana diploma, and Senate Enrolled Act 135, which requires the Department of Child Services to notify schools if a child is removed from the home. SEA 135 was signed into law Friday.
One bill McCormick said she wished more had been done with the school safety bill, House Bill 1230, which was on the agenda when the clock ran out on the session.
McCormick said HB 1230 was a complicated bill for the department and had parts they didn’t like, such a provision to increase audits of safety plans for every school. The state was planning to give IDOE $1 million to conduct the audits. McCormick said this would be a waste of money because the system is already working.
“We do about 60 audits a year because of our capacity but it’s going in and making sure we’re pretty much-doing spot checks,†she said. “We think that audit would be a huge lift, and we’re not sure there would be a big benefit to that.â€
Instead, she would like to see the money spent on vetted resources and equipment for schools that need it. She did, however, like the idea to give schools an additional $5 million and was disappointed the bill died in session. That might be revived in the special session that Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Monday.
“That would have been big,†she said. “This year was the first year that we had several districts that were denied, or schools that were denied, funding. Those are typically matching grants up to $50,000, but that’s your max amount depending on the size of the school that’s applying.â€
“We were hoping to get some of that money to help offset some of the costs that our schools are telling they need for safety.â€
In reaction to the February shooting in Parkland, Fla., McCormick released a statement urging the General Assembly to address school safety.
House Bill 1315 was another bill that died on the last day of the session. If passed, the bill would have allowed the state to appoint emergency managers and replace elected school boards with appointed advisory committees in districts in financial distress. Muncie and Gary’s schools were targeted for falling into financial difficulty.
“There were parts of 1315 that we supported,†McCormick said. “I’m worried about the $10 million that was in the bill that now, obviously, didn’t get through. I’m very concerned about that fiscal piece. They needed that. Even if they stay under an emergency manager, they’re going to have to have fiscal help.â€
Monday, Holcomb outlined five points he wants lawmakers to cover during a special session in May which includes working on a $12 million loan for Muncie schools.
In his 2018 agenda, Holcomb wanted every Indiana school to offer at least one computer science course by 2021. Senate Enrolled Act 172, which is waiting for Holcomb’s signature, meets that goal.
At the beginning of the session, McCormick said while she supports computer science, she did not want it to be a requirement for graduation. The bill requires grades K-8 schools to incorporate it into their curriculum but for grades 9-12 to make it an elective.
Despite the number of changes schools will have to undergo with all of the school-related legislation that has passed, McCormick said she has faith in them and IDOE will be helping them as they adjust.
“There are a lot of unknowns, but I go back to our districts have typically in the past just get it done. We’ve stayed focused on kids. That’s the charge of Indiana educators,†McCormick said.
FOOTNOTE:Â Quinn Fitzgerald is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. The City-County Observer is a media partner of THE STATEhouseFile .com
CONGRESSIONAL CANIDATE DR. RICHARD MOSS MAKE STATEMENT ON MILITARY BORDER DEPLOYMENT
APRIL 5, 2018
Dr. Richard Moss Statement on Military Border DeploymentÂ
Jasper—Republican Congressional candidate and local cancer surgeon Dr. Richard Moss released a statement Wednesday morning, praising President Donald Trump’s decision to secure the U.S.-Mexico border with American troops.
“It’s time to get serious about immigration. Millions of illegal aliens are living in our country, bankrupting our government and endangering our communities,” Moss said. “I applaud President Trump for taking the necessary steps to protect our families and halt illegal immigration.”
President Trump announced the policy shift on Tuesday, saying the military will be sent to guard the U.S.-Mexico border. This comes after Congress failed in March to appropriate funds for the White House’s proposed border wall.
“In Congress, I’ll keep up the fight by working to deport all illegal immigrants, end the diversity VISA lottery, defund sanctuary cities and to terminate DACA,” Moss said. “Illegal immigration is a matter of national security and deploying the military to secure our border is the correct response.”
Footnote: Dr. Richard Moss is a board-certified cancer surgeon, a local businessman, and columnist challenging incumbent Congressman Larry Bucshon in the GOPÂ primary. He lives in Jasper, Indiana with his wife of 30 years and is the father of four.
Stepping Up For Gresham House In Support Of Homeless Veterans
A Benefit to Support Homeless Veterans Sponsered By the JD Sheth Foundation
On Saturday, May 12t h Main Street in Downtown Evansville will be host to a fun-filled day for adults and families. The event, with all net proceeds going to support the Gresham House and homeless veterans, will kickoff at 3pm. There will be live music, a beer garden, and raffles for adults. For kids there will be lots of fun activities including a bounce house and much more.
Adult Admission is $12 in advance and $17 at the door. Veterans are just $5 and Kids admission is free. Three raffle tickets are included in the admission for chances to win prize packages valued at over $100 each.
This fundraising event will be held on Saturday, May 12th 3pm-7pm  at Kevin’s Backstage Bar and Grill -Downtown Evansville Indiana.
About the JD Sheth Foundation
Our guiding philosophy is that WE ARE ONE. The JD Sheth Foundation is a project-based organization focusing on the education, health, and well being of adults, children and the elderly here in the United States and across the globe.
Recognized as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the United States, the JD Sheth Foundation was officially formed in May 2015 as a culmination of work done around the world since 2010. For every dollar donated 90% goes towards funding projects. We are dedicated to maximizing each dollar to support our efforts, no one on the board of directors receives a salary or compensation for their volunteer work, and all travel expenses/personal expenses/misc expenses related to these trips are not funded through donations, but by the individuals participating in the projects.
About the Gresham House
Named for the first American casualty of WW I, James Bethel Gresham House on Wedeking Ave in Garvin Park will now be used to help military veterans of more recent eras. Following a lengthy renovation process, the historic former museum will become home base for the Echo Housing Corp Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program. It will allow 6-8 Veterans to stay without rent for 60-90 days, letting them work and save money for a permanent housing solution.
FOOTNOTE: For more information on the event or the JD Sheth Foundation contact: Â Jaimie Sheth info@jdsheth.org www.jdshethfoundation.org
Changes Announced As UE Softball Preps For Big Weekend
Aces Welcome Bears To Cooper Stadium
A full slate of schedule changes have been announced as the University of Evansville softball team prepares for a big MVC weekend against Missouri State at Cooper Stadium.
Thursday’s contest at Butler has been canceled due to the weather in Indianapolis. The weekend home Missouri Valley Conference series against the Bears have now been moved to Friday and Saturday due to the anticipated weather in town on Sunday.
Friday’s doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m. inside Cooper Stadium while the start time for Saturday will be determined.
Evansville won its second MVC series in a row over the weekend, taking two out of three from Loyola in its first conference road series of the season. Morgan Florey picked up two more wins in the circle while Brittany Hay went 5-10 in the series. Florey has picked up the win in each of her last four appearances as she helped UE to a 4-3 win in the series opener and a 7-1 triumph in Saturday’s rubber match. Ashleigh Downing and Jaime Nurrenbern pitched very well in a 2-0 loss in game two on Friday, allowing just six hits in the contest. UE stands at 11-19 overall and an even 4-4 in the Valley.
Brittany Hay entered the UNI series mired in a 3-25 slump at the plate, lowering her season average to .234, since then, Hay has put together a 5-game hit streak while raising her average to .266. She has scored six runs over the streak and excelled at Loyola, going 5-10. Hay has been at her best in clutch moments as her two home runs in the streak have proven to be the difference in a pair of UE victories – her homer in game one at Loyola gave the Aces some much-needed insurance in a 4-3 win while the long ball against UNI came with the game tied in the bottom of the 5th inning. She continues to lead the team with her six home runs and 22 RBI.
Freshman Lindsay Renneisen has been producing at the plate when it matters the most; Renneisen is batting .264 on the season but has upped that tally significantly in MVC play. Through eight league games, she is batting .320 with eight hits in 25 trips to the plate. Since March 9, the Louisville native has seen her average rise from .204 to .264.
Renneisen, along with fellow freshman Eryn Gould, has started each game this season. Allison Daggett and Elyse Hickey have seen action in 28 games apiece in 2018.
Starting pitcher Morgan Florey has earned the win in each of her last four appearances in the circle for the Aces, taking two wins apiece against UNI and Loyola. In six league starts this season, she has allowed just 12 runs, eight earned, in 39 innings of work; that translates to a 1.44 ERA. The last four appearances have seen her go 4-0 while allowing three earned runs in 25 innings. Florey is 4th in the NCAA with 177 strikeouts while ranking sixth in strikeouts per seven innings with 10.7.
Missouri State comes into the series with a 20-14 mark and is just ahead of the Aces in the league standings at 5-4. The Bears dropped two out of three games to UNI last weekend. Darian Frost paces the Bears with a .337 average while Kaitlin Beason is just behind at .333. In the circle, pitchers Erin Griesbauer, Steffany Dickerson and Holly Kelley have combined to win 17 games while each has an ERA at 2.72 or under.