THUNDERBOLTS COME UP JUST SHORT, FALL 5-4 IN BIRMINGHAM
Pelham, Al.: Game one of the best-of-three series against the Bulls went down to the wire, with the Thunderbolts just barely falling short, 5-4 in Pelham on Wednesday night, and now must win on home ice on Thursday to keep the season alive. The Thunderbolts’ next home game will be on Thursday, April 11th against the Birmingham Bulls, puck drop at 7:00pm CT.
The Bulls opened the scoring once again, with Scott Donahue redirecting in a shot at 2:18 to make it 1-0 Birmingham. Evansville rallied to tie and briefly take a 2-1 lead, with goals from Dmitri Yushkevich at 3:49 from Scott Kirton and Matt Dorsey, and Myles Abbate unassisted at 17:16. Shortly after Abbate’s goal, the Bulls tied the game back up at 2-2 on a goal from Zac Masson at 18:01. The Bulls controlled play in the second period but were held to only a single goal, scored by Ryan Romeo at 11:05. Down 3-2 going into the third period, Evansville had a strong first half and tied the game again, as Brendan Harrogate scored on a power play from Lincoln Hatten at 7:52. However, late penalties cost Evansville, as Nikita Kozyrev scored just following a Bulls power play at 14:59, followed by Drake Glover on another power play at 15:31 to give Birmingham a 5-3 lead. In a late rally, Logan vande Meerakker scored to make it a 5-4 game with 40 seconds remaining, however the Thunderbolts ran out of time after that. Evansville now must win on Ford Center ice on Thursday to force a decisive third game in Pelham on Saturday.
Yushkevich, Abbate, Harrogate, and vande Meerakker scored one goal each, while Kirton finished with two assists. In goal, Cole Ceci finished with 29 saves on 34 shots.
USI Baseball goes to SEMO this weekend
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — University of Southern Indiana Baseball hopes to get back on track when it finishes a road trip with a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series at Southeast Missouri State University April 12-14 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The USI-SEMO series starts Friday with a 6 p.m. first pitch before continuing Saturday at 2 p.m. and concluding Sunday at 1 p.m.
Links to follow the Eagles during the opening weekend of 2024 can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com and on the USI Baseball Schedule.
Following the USI-SEMO series, USI (14-19, 4-5 OVC) returns to the friendly surroundings of the USI Baseball Field for a five-game homestand that includes Western Kentucky University (April 16), the University of Tennessee at Martin (April 19-21), and Belmont University (April 23).
USI Baseball Notes
USI started week with loss at SLU. The USI Screaming Eagles started the week with a 13-5 loss at Saint Louis University. USI sophomore second baseman Lane Crowden led the USI hitters by going two-for-three with a home run and three RBIs.
USI Eagles 1-3 homestand. The USI Eagles were 1-3 on the four-game homestand last week. The Eagles opened the homestand with a loss to Murray State University before dropping two of three to Lindenwood University. Junior third baseman Ricardo Van Grieken led the Eagle regulars by hitting .462 (6-13), while senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka hit .438 (7-16). Senior first baseman Tucker Ebest and senior designated hitter Jack Ellis were first and second on the team with five RBIs and four RBIs, respectively.
Ellis and Thompson-Allen leads Eagles in homers. Senior designated hitter Jack Ellis has hit a team-best and career-high six home runs this season, while junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen follows with five round trippers.
The Last 10 Games for USI. USI is 3-7 in the last 10 games. Senior catcher Tyler Kapust is batting .444 (8-18) in six of the 10 games, while junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen is hitting .415 with 15 runs scored, one double, five home runs, and eight RBIs. Senior designated hitter Jack Ellis has driven in a team-high 12 RBIs during the last 10 games.
Leaders at the plate in 2024. Senior outfielder Ren Tachioka is hitting a team best .415 (34-82) in 22 of the 32 games, while senior designated hitter Jack Ellis follows with a .397 (27-68). Ellis also has a team best six home runs, while senior infielder/designated hitter Tucker Ebest has driven in a team-best 27 RBIs.
Leaders on the mound in 2024. USI junior right-handers Gavin Seebold and Gavin Morris and freshman right-hander Grant Parson lead the team with three victories each. Morris also has a team-high 37 strikeouts, while Parson follows with 33. Junior right-hander Tyler Hutson has a team-best four saves.
USI in the OVC. Senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka leads the Eagles in OVC play with a .529 average (9-17) in five of the nine games. Senior designated hitter Jack Ellis is second batting .412 (14-34) in addition to knocking in a team-high 12 RBIs. Ellis, junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen, and junior third baseman Ricardo Van Grieken have hit two home runs each in conference play.
In the OVC. USI as a team is fourth in the OVC in pitching with a team 5.99 ERA and fifth in the league in hitting with a .284 team batting average. Freshman right-hander Grant Parson is seventh with a 4.50 ERA. Junior right-hander Gavin Morris is seventh in the OVC overall with 37 strikeouts.
In OVC Games Only. USI is second in the league with a .316 team batting average for OVC games only, but sixth with a 6.86 team ERA.
SEMO in 2024. The Redhawks of Southeast Missouri State University is 16-17 overall and 6-3 in the OVC after defeating Southern Illinois University, 3-2, Tuesday. SEMO is 4-4 in the last eight games.
USI vs. SEMO. The Eagles lead the all-time series with SEMO, 27-25, despite losing two of three in their first season in the OVC last year.
WKU in 2024. The Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University are 22-11 this season and are 7-4 since defeating USI in March. WKU is set to play Bellarmine University and Sam Houston State University.
USI vs. WKU. WKU leads the all-time series with USI, 9-2, after defeating the Eagles in March, 5-3. Senior designated hitter Jack Ellis led the USI hitters with two hits, while sophomore shortstop Caleb Niehaus had two of the three USI RBIs.
Tayshawn Comer joins UE men’s basketball program
Comer transfers to UE from Eastern Kentucky
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Former Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Team member Tashawn Comer has officially joined the University of Evansville men’s basketball team. The Eastern Kentucky transfer is a native of Indianapolis where he played for Cathedral High School.
“We are extremely excited to add Tayshawn and his family to our Aces family.
I have had the privilege of knowing Tayshawn since he was a junior in high school,” UE head men’s basketball coach David Ragland said. “I have always admired his passion for the game of basketball and his work ethic to improve his game. Tayshawn is extremely competitive and committed to doing what it takes for his team to win. He has won everywhere that he has been and possesses all the attributes of a leader.”
“Tayshawn prides himself on defending and creating for his teammates both characteristics we were looking to add at the point guard position. My staff and I felt it was necessary to add an experienced point guard to our roster to help us make another jump towards playing in the NCAA tournament next spring,” Ragland continued. “We have been focused on not only really good players but also really good people to our roster and Tayshawn fits our profile.”
“Aces fan will love watching Tayshawn play in an Aces uniform.”
Comer completed his sophomore season for the Colonels averaging 7.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He dished out 92 assists while recording 26 steals. His 92 helpers was second on the team while his steal total was tied for third. With an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.6, Comer ranked 9th in the ASUN.
He played some of his best basketball as the 2023-24 season came to a close. After scoring 22 points versus Central Arkansas, Comer reset his career mark with 23 points at Austin Peay on February 28. In nine games in the month of February, he averaged 12.4 points per game. Comer’s efforts in the last four contests of the month saw him post 16 PPG while shooting 55.3%.
One of his top all-around performances of the year came on Feb. 7 where he finished with nine points, six assists, three rebounds and a steal against Florida Gulf Coast.
“To the University of Evansville and our community, I am excited to come here to win and help the program get back to where it used to be,” Comer stated.
As a freshman in 2022-23, Comer paced EKU with 134 assists while finishing seventh in the ASUN with his mark of 3.6 per game. He was named to the ASUN All-Freshman Team for his efforts in his inaugural collegiate season.
Prior to joining the Colonels, Comer was named the Indianapolis City Player of the Year while garnering All-State recognition. ESPN rated him a 3-star recruit and the 40th-ranked point guard in the nation. The finalist for Indiana Mr. Basketball posted 17 points, 6.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds in his senior campaign.
Kate Petrova named MVC Golfer of the Week
Petrova won the Indiana State Invitational on Monday
- LOUIS – On the heels of her second consecutive Indiana State Invitational championship, University of Evansville women’s golfer Kate Petrova has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Golfer of the Week. Petrova shares the accolade three others in the league who were medalists in their respective tournaments.
Petrova paced the field at the Country Club of Terre Haute for the second season in a row on her way to the victory. She opened the tournament with a 1-under 71 and sat in a tie for the lead following the first 18 holes. Completing the second round with a 1-over 73, Petrova defeated the competition by two strokes.
Her efforts helped the Purple Aces pick up a runner-up finish in the team standings. Petrova and the Aces are focused on the upcoming MVC Championship, which takes place April 14-16 in Waterloo, Ill. Petrova is the defending league champion and helped UE tie for second place last season.
Otters, Fifth Third Bank announce revamped Family Nights
“It’s a great day to root for the Evansville Otters,” said Fifth Third Bank Vice President of Regional Marketing & Communications Carrie Hagovsky. “Fifth Third is proud to once again support and help enhance Family Nights at Bosse Field. Getting your family to the park for a fun evening out at an affordable price makes for a wonderful summer outside!”
Debuting last season, Fifth Third Bank Family Nights are a great way to get the whole family out to Bosse Field at a low price.
Each Tuesday home game, all fans can take advantage of general admission tickets, hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, bottled water and 12oz Busch Light drafts, all for just $2 each!
Pep and Vim set for this week at UE
Annual Day of Giving is April 12
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – This week marks Pep & Vim at the University of Evansville, which is the annual giving campaign on campus. Last year, UE Director of Athletics Ziggy Siegfried announced the formation of the AD’s Council.
In conjunction with Pep & Vim, the AD’s Council has announced a $15,000 matching challenge gift to the Purple Aces Club if the department can generate $15,000 in gifts through April 12, which is the annual day of giving. All gifts that are received this week count towards the matching gift total. Donations can be made in amounts as low as $15 and can be made by clicking here.
The Purple Aces Club is the primary focus for donations this year as they impact all sports within the UE athletics department and contributes to the student-athlete experience.
Pep & Vim features a variety of events through April 12. It coincides with Reunion Weekend, which welcomes alumni back to campus.
Special thanks go to the AD’s Council for the generosity. Members of the council are listed below.
Jeff Anderson Dan Hermann Sara Miller Chris Traylor
Curt Begle Robbie Kent Sally Rideout Bill Vieth
Alan Braun Bob Jones Jim Sandgren Larry Rascoe
Kelly Gates Larry Meeks Brent Sternberg Pete Paradossi
Politicians and childish things
Politicians and childish things
So, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, is so upset about the trumped-up controversy involving the Louisiana State University women’s basketball team not being on the floor for the national anthem that he’s threatening state action.
John Krull, publisher, TheStatehouseFile.com
I’m not making this up.
Don’t these folks have anything real to worry about?
Do they truly think it’s a good use of the state’s power and energy—along with the taxpayers’ money—to try to police a basketball game?
Can’t they find a five-year-old’s game of hopscotch to reign over?
Or maybe a tic-tac-toe contest to rule?
I know it’s been the fashion on the right for the past several years to summon faux fury over the national anthem at sporting contests. They conjure up reasons to be outraged because some athletes—particularly those who were Black—have chosen to kneel during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
They say it’s disrespectful to those who served in the military, but then they ignore the voices of veterans who tell them that the constitutionally protected right to express oneself is what those veterans fought to defend.
But the facts don’t matter in disputes such as this one.
If the facts did matter, Landry and crew would take note of the fact that the LSU women’s team meant no disrespect to the flag or anything else.
As LSU’s coach, Kim Mulkey—whose political and cultural views seem to have been shaped by Genghis Kahn—explained, the team’s absence during the playing of the national anthem was routine.
They always leave the floor when the clock says the game will start in about 12 minutes. They go back to the locker room to go over their game plans and assignments one more time and prepare themselves to compete.
They didn’t leave the floor before the music started to show contempt for the flag.
They did so because they wanted to get ready to try to win the game.
But let’s be generous and assume that Landry and his fellow deep thinkers are sincere in their defense of the flag. Let’s take them at their word that they want people at sporting events to show Old Glory the proper respect and that they’re not just running around looking for reasons to criticize and persecute athletes of color.
If they do really mean what they say, take things all the way.
Don’t open the concession stands at the arenas and ballparks until the last notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner” have faded to silence. Nothing shows more blatant disregard for the national anthem than hearing hundreds of beer-soaked voices scream “PLAY BALL!” as soon as—or even before—the song ends.
Also, lock the restrooms during the playing of the tune. Make it impossible for game-goers to sneak in a quick bathroom break when they should be standing with their hands over their hearts, celebrating liberty by slavishly doing what they’re told by big brother.
And, while we’re at it, let’s figure out a way to monitor people’s conduct while they’re watching the game at home on the screen.
If those who paid good money to attend the game in person are to be forced to stand at attention, why shouldn’t the couch potatoes who opted to see the action in their houses or at a sports bar have to do the same?
After all, respect is respect.
Just because you’re in the privacy of your own home doesn’t mean that Jeff Landry and his know-it-all fellow travelers shouldn’t be able to tell you what to think or do.
I mean, this is America.
Here, we love freedom so much that we’re willing to use the power of government to force human beings to subjugate themselves to a minority’s notion of what patriotism is or should be.
We hold our liberty so dear that we allow ambitious hucksters to turn its most sacred symbol into nothing more than a political trinket.
But it’s easy to understand why Landry and crew are so concerned.
It’s not as if we live in a time in which two brutal wars rage abroad, savage income inequalities and chasm-like cultural differences divide us as a nation and we’re plagued by an ongoing epidemic of gun violence.
No, things are so good right now that powerful political leaders feel they can focus their attention on … basketball games.
Yeah, basketball games.
FOOTNOTE: John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students. The views expressed are those of the author only and should not be attributed to Franklin College.
Rokita launches massive lawsuit against manufacturers of ‘forever chemicals’
Attorney General Todd Rokita launches massive lawsuit against manufacturers of ‘foreverchemicals’
Companies sought to conceal overwhelming evidence of severe health risks, lawsuit alleges
Attorney General Todd Rokita today announced a lawsuit against 22 companies that, contrary to law, continued manufacturing substances known as “forever chemicals” despite these same companies possessing overwhelming evidence the substances posed serious health risks.
“We’re taking action today to hold these companies accountable for their clear violation of laws designed to protect human health,” Attorney General Todd Rokita said. “For decades, they sought to hide research showing that their products were extremely dangerous to people everywhere, including Hoosiers. And they did it so they could make million-dollar profits at the cost of our health and well-being.”
The companies manufactured a category of water-resistant substances known as PFAS — an acronym for “per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances.” PFAS are used in the making of non-stick cookware, stain-resistant carpets and clothing, and firefighting foam.
These chemicals do not degrade easily in the environment — hence their classification as “forever chemicals.” Once PFAS are used, these toxic and hazardous substances remain in the environment and contaminate air, drinking water, groundwater and soil. They are difficult and costly to remove.
The level of PFAS in animals and humans can also increase as they are consumed up the food chain — a process known as biomagnification.
Testimony from former employees and other evidence have shown that over several decades companies actively sought to hide internal research highlighting their products’ harm to consumers.
In recent years, public health scientists have linked PFAS exposure to cancer, infertility, and childhood developmental issues. National blood sampling by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found PFAS in the blood of nearly every person tested since 1999.
“Addressing the PFAS emergency that Defendants have caused requires substantial effort and expense to investigate, treat, and remediate the contamination,” Indiana’s lawsuit states. “The Defendants who created and profited from the creation of this problem must pay to address the PFAS contamination throughout the State.”
The lawsuit is being filed in Shelby County, where a 2022 site Investigation at the Shelbyville Army Aviation Support Facility found that PFAS contamination was likely caused by defendants’ aqueous film-forming foam (“AFFF”) — a product used for firefighting training and emergency response.
Elsewhere in the state, Grissom Air Reserve Base and Fort Benjamin Harrison are likewise contaminated as a result of AFFF, with elevated levels of PFAS detected in soil, sediment, surface water, and/or groundwater near fire training areas, fire stations and hangars.
Sampling conducted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management between March 2021 and December 2023 revealed levels of PFAS above EPA Health Advisory Levels in public drinking water in the following counties: Bartholomew, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Crawford, Decatur, Elkhart, Floyd, Gibson, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Lake, Laporte, Madison, Marion, Perry, Posey, Scott, St. Joseph, Sullivan, Vigo and Warrick.
The companies have violated state and federal environmental regulations, the lawsuit contends, in addition to other laws such as the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act and the Indiana Product Liability Act.