Kitchens named ABCA All-Region USI Baseball’s 1st Division I All-Region Performer
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana junior first baseman/designated hitter Cole Kitchens was named second-team American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-Midwest Region. He becomes the first USI baseball player to be named ABCA/Rawlings All-Region in the Screaming Eagles’ Division I era.
Kitchens led the Eagles and the Ohio Valley Conference in hitting (.371), hits (82), and RBIs (60) during 2025. The 60 RBIs were the most by a USI player since 2018.
The first-team All-OVC performer also led the team in doubles (18) and home runs (12), while tying for third in runs scored (39).
Kitchens also tied a USI single-game record with three home runs versus Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He produced a season-high four hits in three games, two doubles four times, and four RBIs versus Western Kentucky University.
The junior infielder/first baseman had USI’s second-longest hitting streak of the season (17 games), in addition to posting 25 multi-hit games and 16 multi-RBI contests.
USI and Kitchens finished the season with a 27-29 overall record and 15-12 in the OVC, advancing to the conference tournament for the third consecutive year. The 27 wins tied a program record for victories in Division I, while the 15 OVC wins were a three-year high for the Eagles.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES HISTORIC DECREASE IN INFANT MORTALITY RATE
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INDIANAPOLIS – Provisional data from the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) show the 2024 infant mortality rate (IMR) in Indiana is 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, a decrease from 6.6 in 2023. If this IMR remains the same when finalized, it would be the lowest rate of infant deaths in Indiana since 1900. The previous lowest rate for infant mortality was 6.5 deaths per 1,000 births in 2019.
”With Indiana’s infant mortality rate at its lowest in over a century, we see the real impact of everyone who is focused on protecting our most vulnerable Hoosiers,” said Gov. Mike Braun. “We are committed to ensuring that even more babies have a healthy start and a strong future.” Infant mortality is the death of a child before his or her first birthday and is measured by the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Several factors contribute to infant mortality, many of which are directly tied to the health of the mother. Conditions such as maternal stress, obesity, smoking during pregnancy, and delayed prenatal care can increase the risk of poor health outcomes. IDOH is releasing the provisional 2024 data to increase transparency and access so it can be used to improve efficiency by helping communities and organizations make timely and well-informed healthcare decisions. “We are ecstatic that more Hoosier babies are celebrating their first birthdays,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, MD, FACEP. “Seeing these efforts pay off is something to celebrate, and we are grateful to clinicians, healthcare centers and affiliates, local health departments and all our other partners for their collective efforts.” The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) has set the Healthy People 2030 goal of a nationwide infant mortality rate of 5.0 deaths per 1,000 births. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most current rate of infant mortality in the United States was 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023. “The critical work to further reduce infant mortality continues,” Dr. Weaver said. “The Indiana Department of Health is committed to our role to decrease the number of infant deaths in Indiana and give the next generation of Hoosiers the best possible start.” A more in-depth analysis of this preliminary data will be available in the coming months as the data is finalized. IDOH has multiple initiatives focused on improving infant mortality including:
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June Fest scheduled for Friday, June 13
The event will feature 20+ local makers. Discover handmade goods, curated vintage, local producers, and treats from vendors and businesses. Activities will include live music from D.R. Bridges, a colorful photo backdrop, a drag show organized by Someplace Else Nightclub, an interactive drum circle, and an inflatable obstacle course.
Admission is free. Downtown stores and restaurants will be open for customers. The 900 block is home to multiple businesses with evening hours, including Main Street Food & Beverage (Big Slice Co., Chef Lo on the Go, La Campirana, Mikey’s Caribbean Restaurant, Rava’s, Snack Shack), La Mexicana, and Someplace Else Nightclub, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year. Public restrooms will be accessible for guests on the 900 Block.
VU’s Hussein Elmaraghy signs with NCAA D-II Ferris State University
VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University Men’s Basketball sophomore Hussein Elmaraghy (Cairo, Egypt) announced this past weekend that he has signed to continue his basketball career next season at NCAA Division II Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich.
“I chose Ferris State because they are one of the best Division II programs in the country,” Elmaraghy said. “I believe in the Coach and the new team he is building and I hope I am apart of something big there.”
Elmaraghy worked his way into a starting position with the Trailblazers late in the season, serving as the starting big man for the Blazers final 10 games this past season.
Elmaraghy finished the season averaging 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds in his lone season with the Blue and Gold after spending the 2023-24 season at Bismarck State College in North Dakota.
Elmaraghy came through strong for the Trailblazers in the final stretch of the 2024-25 season, averaging 9.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in VU’s final 12 games of the season.
Elmaraghy also came up big on the big stage for Vincennes, scoring a season-high 20 points to lead VU to a second round win over Indian Hills Community College at the 2025 NJCAA Division I National Tournament.
“My favorite memory at Vincennes was the Sweet 16 game at the National Tournament against Indian Hills,” Elmaraghy added. “We had a great game as a team and won to make it to the Elite Eight.”
Elmaraghy scored in double figures seven times this past season for VU, finishing his time with the Trailblazers with 168 points, 102 rebounds, 17 assists and 16 blocks.
Elmaraghy is the latest of the 2025 Trailblazers to announce their future plans for next season, joining fellow sophomores Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) and Michael Cooper (Minneapolis, Minn.) who signed with NCAA Division I Wagner College in New York and Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) who signed with NCAA Division I Green Bay.
Trailblazers Travelle Bryson (Anderson, S.C.) also announced he will be headed to NCAA Division I Howard University in Washington, D.C. next season and Taveon Smith (Radcliff, Ky.) who committed to play next season at NAIA Campbellsville University.
Together this group led the Trailblazers to another excellent season, finishing the 2024-25 campaign with a 28-5 record, including a perfect 16-0 regular season record in Region 24 play.
The Trailblazers won the 2025 regular season Region 24 Championship and earned VU’s 12th NJCAA Division I National Tournament appearance in the past 13 seasons, reaching the National Quarterfinals in Hutchinson, Kan.
“Vincennes University is a big part of where I am right now,” Elmaraghy said. “I am a better student and a better basketball player because of Vincennes University and the coaching staff here helped me reach that.”
Elmaraghy will be joining a Bulldog squad coming off of a 25-9 season in 2025, including having a 14-6 record in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play and a 16-1 record in home games this past season.
The Bulldogs would reach the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional in Springfield, Ill.
Elmaraghy will get to play next season under new Bulldog Head Coach Bobby Pietrack, who comes to Ferris State after a very successful run coaching at NCAA Division II Fort Lewis College in Colorado.
The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Hussein Elmaraghy on his signing with Ferris State University and wishes him good luck as he continues his athletic and academic careers next season.
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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT Arrested Two Juveniles
HENDERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT
1990 Barret Court
Henderson, Kentucky 42420
270-831-1295
Henderson Police have arrested two juveniles while investigating a crash that involved a car hitting a house. At 2:40 am on June 10th, officers were in the 1400 block of Clay St. for a report of a suspicious vehicle. An officer spotted the car as it left the area at a high rate of speed. No officers had contact with the vehicle and lost sight of it as it left the area. A few minutes later, a 911 caller at 1 N Julia St reported an SUV had struck their house. Officers responded and determined it was the same SUV from the Clay St. call. There were no occupants in the SUV when officers arrived at the crash.
There were residents in the house, but no injuries were reported. Due to the damage, the residents had to leave the home until it could be deemed safe. Officers were able to get descriptions of the occupants and eventually found them in the Henderson Station Apartments. Two juveniles were taken into custody and charged with the following: Suspect #1 (Driver) 15 years old, KRS 508.060 Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree, KRS 189.290 Reckless Driving, KRS 186.410 (1) No Operator’s License, KRS 189.580 (1) (A) Leaving the Scene of an Accident, KRS 304.99-060 No Insurance, KRS 514.100 Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle 1st Offense. Suspect #2 (Passenger) 13 years old KRS 508.060 Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree – 4 counts Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent
USI Softball alum Newman to play in Sweden
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Former University of Southern Indiana Softball pitcher Josie Newman will be taking her talents to compete for the Karlskoga Bats of the Elite Softball Series in Sweden. Newman will be a player and help with some coaching for the team.
The club is in Karlskoga, Sweden, in the southern part of the country, and a couple of hours west of Stockholm. The league runs throughout the summer, featuring doubleheaders every weekend during August.
“Being able to extend my career and play the game I love for a little longer means so much to me,” Newman said. “Getting such an amazing opportunity as this one is something I am so grateful for, and I look forward to making the most of it.”
Newman added, “What excites me most about this opportunity is that I can continue and grow the game outside of the U.S. and experience a different culture while creating lifelong friendships and memories. This sport has given me so much in my life that I am forever grateful for, so I am excited to give back to it as much as possible.”
The opportunity came about via a connection with USI Softball Head Coach Sue Kunkle and longtime softball coach Bill Gilbert. Gilbert, who has been recruiting American players to help grow the game in Sweden for some time, helped Newman connect with Karlskoga’s head coach, Daniel Lindkvist, who offered Newman the opportunity.
“We are very excited for Josie to have been given this opportunity to continue playing and give back to the game of softball,” Kunkle said. “She will be able to use her knowledge and experiences to grow the game in a different part of the world.”
The right-hander concluded her USI career this past spring among the top five in the USI Softball record books in innings pitched (690.0), complete games (80), and wins (66). Newman finished just outside the top five with 18 career shutouts. Most notably, Newman landed second in USI history with 753 career strikeouts.
Newman began her USI career as a member of USI’s 2022 NCAA II Midwest Regional Championship team, earning All-GLVC Second-Team and D2CCA All-Region Second-Team accolades as a freshman. During the Screaming Eagles’ first three years at the NCAA Division I level (2023-present), Newman went on to be named All-OVC First Team twice, including OVC Pitcher of the Year and NFCA All-Midwest Region Third Team in 2024. The former Eagles hurler was also named pitcher of the week between the GLVC and OVC seven times while in a USI uniform.
“I am really happy Josie can continue her career after USI!” Kunkle said. “We wish her the best and nothing but success for her.”