Q&A with Vernon Smith: Octogenarian Democrat says adversity has fueled him
By DeMarion Newell, TheStatehouseFile.com
Vernon G. Smith used his experience of overcoming racism to achieve success and help mentor the next generation of African American youth in Gary.
In his other life as a college professor, Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, researches “the achievement and plight of African American males and educational leadership.” He has written several books and many journal articles. Photo provided.
While Smith was a student at Indiana University, racism was alive and well on campus, he said, which helped shape him into the man he is today. Smith was one of just over 300 Black students. One professor had given a 45-minute speech on why Blacks weren’t as good as whites.
Smith sat in the front determined to prove his professor wrong by having success in his class.
“I was sitting in front because I wanted to get to know the professor. I wanted the professor to know me,” Smith said. “And so if I’m between an A or B, because he knows me, he’s probably gonna give me an A. If he doesn’t know me, he’ll feel comfortable giving me a B.”
Smith received a B in the class. He said he knew being in that class was going to be challenging but he had to keep going regardless because “the battle is not over until you quit.”
“I think it was God’s way of preparing me to deal with multiple issues, you know,” Smith said. “Don’t give up, just find another talent, every setback is an opportunity for a comeback.”
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, became a member of the Indiana House of Representatives in 1990. Prior to his election, Smith had served on the Gary City Council since 1972.
He is currently a professor of education at Indiana University Northwest (IUN), where he has won every teaching award offered on the Northwest Campus. He has also served as the interim dean of IUN’s School of Education.
Smith’s professional background includes experience at several public schools in Gary. He was the principal of Williams School from 1985 to 1992, principal of Nobel School from 1978 to 1985, and assistant principal of Ivanhoe School from 1972 to 1978. Smith taught in Gary Public Schools between 1966 and 1971. He graduated from Froebel High School and earned his bachelor of science, master of science and doctorate of education degrees from Indiana University and has undertaken post-doctoral work at Indiana University and Purdue University.
As of January 2024, he is one of just 10 Black Democrats in the Indiana House of Representatives, where Republicans have had partisan control for over a decade.
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, found himself one of just a few hundred Black students at Indiana University as an undergraduate. An incident with a racist professor became a catalyst in his decision to not to allow himself to become discouraged in his dreams of being a teacher and social activist. Photo provided.
Smith’s experience dealing with racism in college made him determined to do twice as well as his counterparts, and it also made him have drive and stick-to-itiveness because he was determined that people were not going to define his future. That’s also one of the reasons he got a full professorship.
While Smith was going for tenure and promotion, a secretary made a mistake and gave him his dossier without removing the reviews. Normally, the information doesn’t get back to you directly. The blind review did not have the names of the people on it, but there was one person who said, “He’s just a politician. If we give him tenure and promotion, he’ll never do any more research.”
“I don’t let people define me,” Smith said. “I define myself as who I want to be. I work hard in trying to create a public image and you don’t determine what I can do, what I can’t do or what I will do. And so I feel that was a way of God ordering my step because he wanted me to be a full professor.”
Smith continued: “So, you only make changes for two reasons. I don’t care what reason you come up with. It’s either through agitation, which is outside or dissatisfaction, which is internal. I wasn’t internally dissatisfied with just being an associate professor. This professor, whoever it was, I don’t know who, it was to irritate me to make me go further.”
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, in earlier years. He taught in Gary public schools before becoming a college professor and a state representative. Photo provided.
TheStatehouseFile.com recently met Smith over breakfast for a Q&A to talk about life behind the scenes of being a representative.
Where does he stay during the legislative session?
With Gary being around two hours and 20 minutes from the Statehouse, would Smith travel back and forth every day after the legislative session?
“I stay in a hotel when I’m down there, and I have a house in Gary,” he said. “I used to have a furnished apartment down there [Indianapolis], but it’s such a waste paying for furnished apartments, and I’m only sleeping there three nights out of seven days a week. So I just figured it’s cheaper for me.
“If I just stay in a hotel, the only downside of being in a hotel is that it’s gonna move in and out. I gotta bring my first luggage down every Monday and check out every Thursday, so that’s a headache.”
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, at 8 years old. Photo provided.
What keeps him going?
It’s a Republican supermajority in the Statehouse, so the Democrats rarely win bills. Smith introduced five bills in the legislation session that didn’t pass; for example, House Bill 1017 would prohibit Indiana schools from teaching about Christopher Columbus or former United States presidents who were known to have slaves. However, the bill would allow instruction on these individuals if the teaching included information about their ownership of slaves or the decimation of indigenous populations.
Smith’s goal was to send a message and to get people thinking. Smith knew it was essentially a waste of one-fifth of the bills he’s allowed to write, but he hoped to wake people up.
“[I’m] elected to be the voice of the people in my district. And I get up and I say things that [Republicans] don’t want me to say,” Smith said.
“And so being the voice of my people, that’s all I can do. I never make promises that I’m going to get this done or that done. I simply say I’m going to voice your opinion. That’s why I answer all letters, all emails, I return all phone calls, and I respond to people by being in the public so I can feel closer to the people.
“I believe stop signs were made for traffic, not for people. … So therefore, I have determination, I have drive, I have stick-to-itiveness because I understand that if it’s not said, if I don’t challenge it, maybe nobody will.”
Do Democrats and Republicans hang out outside of the session?
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, who has served in the Indiana House of Representatives since 1990, is still known as a dapper dresser. Photo provided.
“Some of them do,” Smith said. “And I have had people that I was close to, I hung out with, but most times I don’t do a lot of hanging out. When I finish the session, I’m working on community projects for Gary and working on things that I have to do for the university. So, I don’t do a lot of hanging out.”
What community projects does he do for Gary?
Smith not only is the voice of the people in his district, he also tries to make a difference in his community. He sponsors the annual Spirit of Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day for the needy and homeless, which provides gifts and food for over 600 people. He sponsors the annual Harvest Fest that feeds the homeless and needy during the Thanksgiving season. He chairs the Alumna of Indiana University Black Alumni group. He hosts the Penny-A-Ton Drive, which raises over $3,000 annually to provide clothing, food and toys to needy Gary students. And he also sponsors a Stash the Trash project to clean Broadway in Gary.
Do disagreements on bills carry over to behind-the-scenes?
Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, in a file photo.
During a House session in February 2021, confrontations broke out while discussing a bill concerning school district boundaries that some were calling racist. The clash happened on the same day Black members were celebrating Black History Month by wearing traditional African garb. The Black members believed there was racist intent in the bill and were booed off the podium.
Afterwards, Rep. Robin Shackleford, D-Indianapolis, spoke of a verbal altercation a Republican representative had with Smith in the bathroom.
“I don’t bring [politics] up, I leave what happened on the floor, on the floor,” Smith said. “I do go to some of the dinners and receptions, and sometimes I sit with Republicans, and they’ll ask me some questions, but usually I don’t bring it up. They bring it up.”
Do his college experiences still affect his job today?
“That made me an overcomer. I didn’t end up getting an A out of the class, I got a B, but the bottom line is that I know those challenges were there, and so because they are there you have to keep going regardless because the battle is not over until you quit. Nobody could make you stop, you have to quit. …
“Don’t give up, just find another talent, every setback is an opportunity for a comeback.”
DeMarion Newell is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Vernon G. Smith used his experience of overcoming racism to achieve success and help mentor the next generation of African American youth in Gary.
In his other life as a college professor, Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, researches “the achievement and plight of African American males and educational leadership.” He has written several books and many journal articles.
While Smith was a student at Indiana University, racism was alive and well on campus, he said, which helped shape him into the man he is today. Smith was one of just over 300 Black students. One professor had given a 45-minute speech on why Blacks weren’t as good as whites.
Smith sat in the front determined to prove his professor wrong by having success in his class.
“I was sitting in front because I wanted to get to know the professor. I wanted the professor to know me,” Smith said. “And so if I’m between an A or B, because he knows me, he’s probably gonna give me an A. If he doesn’t know me, he’ll feel comfortable giving me a B.”
Smith received a B in the class. He said he knew being in that class was going to be challenging but he had to keep going regardless because “the battle is not over until you quit.”
“I think it was God’s way of preparing me to deal with multiple issues, you know,” Smith said. “Don’t give up, just find another talent, every setback is an opportunity for a comeback.”
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, became a member of the Indiana House of Representatives in 1990. Prior to his election, Smith had served on the Gary City Council since 1972.
He is currently a professor of education at Indiana University Northwest (IUN), where he has won every teaching award offered on the Northwest Campus. He has also served as the interim dean of IUN’s School of Education.
Smith’s professional background includes experience at several public schools in Gary. He was the principal of Williams School from 1985 to 1992, principal of Nobel School from 1978 to 1985, and assistant principal of Ivanhoe School from 1972 to 1978. Smith taught in Gary Public Schools between 1966 and 1971. He graduated from Froebel High School and earned his bachelor of science, master of science and doctorate of education degrees from Indiana University and has undertaken post-doctoral work at Indiana University and Purdue University.
As of January 2024, he is one of just 10 Black Democrats in the Indiana House of Representatives, where Republicans have had partisan control for over a decade.
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, found himself one of just a few hundred Black students at Indiana University as an undergraduate. An incident with a racist professor became a catalyst in his decision to not to allow himself to become discouraged in his dreams of being a teacher and social activist. Photo provided.
Smith’s experience dealing with racism in college made him determined to do twice as well as his counterparts, and it also made him have drive and stick-to-itiveness because he was determined that people were not going to define his future. That’s also one of the reasons he got a full professorship.
While Smith was going for tenure and promotion, a secretary made a mistake and gave him his dossier without removing the reviews. Normally, the information doesn’t get back to you directly. The blind review did not have the names of the people on it, but there was one person who said, “He’s just a politician. If we give him tenure and promotion, he’ll never do any more research.”
“I don’t let people define me,” Smith said. “I define myself as who I want to be. I work hard in trying to create a public image and you don’t determine what I can do, what I can’t do or what I will do. And so I feel that was a way of God ordering my step because he wanted me to be a full professor.”
Smith continued: “So, you only make changes for two reasons. I don’t care what reason you come up with. It’s either through agitation, which is outside or dissatisfaction, which is internal. I wasn’t internally dissatisfied with just being an associate professor. This professor, whoever it was, I don’t know who, it was to irritate me to make me go further.”
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, in earlier years. He taught in Gary public schools before becoming a college professor and a state representative. Photo provided.
TheStatehouseFile.com recently met Smith over breakfast for a Q&A to talk about life behind the scenes of being a representative.
Where does he stay during the legislative session?
With Gary being around two hours and 20 minutes from the Statehouse, would Smith travel back and forth every day after the legislative session?
“I stay in a hotel when I’m down there, and I have a house in Gary,” he said. “I used to have a furnished apartment down there [Indianapolis], but it’s such a waste paying for furnished apartments, and I’m only sleeping there three nights out of seven days a week. So I just figured it’s cheaper for me.
“If I just stay in a hotel, the only downside of being in a hotel is that it’s gonna move in and out. I gotta bring my first luggage down every Monday and check out every Thursday, so that’s a headache.”
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, at 8 years old. Photo provided.
What keeps him going?
It’s a Republican supermajority in the Statehouse, so the Democrats rarely win bills. Smith introduced five bills in the legislation session that didn’t pass; for example, House Bill 1017 would prohibit Indiana schools from teaching about Christopher Columbus or former United States presidents who were known to have slaves. However, the bill would allow instruction on these individuals if the teaching included information about their ownership of slaves or the decimation of indigenous populations.
Smith’s goal was to send a message and to get people thinking. Smith knew it was essentially a waste of one-fifth of the bills he’s allowed to write, but he hoped to wake people up.
“[I’m] elected to be the voice of the people in my district. And I get up and I say things that [Republicans] don’t want me to say,” Smith said.
“And so being the voice of my people, that’s all I can do. I never make promises that I’m going to get this done or that done. I simply say I’m going to voice your opinion. That’s why I answer all letters, all emails, I return all phone calls, and I respond to people by being in the public so I can feel closer to the people.
“I believe stop signs were made for traffic, not for people. … So therefore, I have determination, I have drive, I have stick-to-itiveness because I understand that if it’s not said, if I don’t challenge it, maybe nobody will.”
Do Democrats and Republicans hang out outside of the session?
Rep. Vernon G. Smith, D-Gary, who has served in the Indiana House of Representatives since 1990, is still known as a dapper dresser. Photo provided.
“Some of them do,” Smith said. “And I have had people that I was close to, I hung out with, but most times I don’t do a lot of hanging out. When I finish the session, I’m working on community projects for Gary and working on things that I have to do for the university. So, I don’t do a lot of hanging out.”
What community projects does he do for Gary?
Smith not only is the voice of the people in his district, he also tries to make a difference in his community. He sponsors the annual Spirit of Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day for the needy and homeless, which provides gifts and food for over 600 people. He sponsors the annual Harvest Fest that feeds the homeless and needy during the Thanksgiving season. He chairs the Alumna of Indiana University Black Alumni group. He hosts the Penny-A-Ton Drive, which raises over $3,000 annually to provide clothing, food and toys to needy Gary students. And he also sponsors a Stash the Trash project to clean Broadway in Gary.
Do disagreements on bills carry over to behind-the-scenes?
Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, in a file photo.
During a House session in February 2021, confrontations broke out while discussing a bill concerning school district boundaries that some were calling racist. The clash happened on the same day Black members were celebrating Black History Month by wearing traditional African garb. The Black members believed there was racist intent in the bill and were booed off the podium.
Afterward, Rep. Robin Shackleford, D-Indianapolis, spoke of a verbal altercation a Republican representative had with Smith in the bathroom.
“I don’t bring [politics] up, I leave what happened on the floor, on the floor,” Smith said. “I do go to some of the dinners and receptions, and sometimes I sit with Republicans, and they’ll ask me some questions, but usually I don’t bring it up. They bring it up.”
Do his college experiences still affect his job today?
“That made me an overcomer. I didn’t end up getting an A out of the class, I got a B, but the bottom line is that I know those challenges were there, and so because they are there you have to keep going regardless because the battle is not over until you quit. Nobody could make you stop, you have to quit. …
“Don’t give up, just find another talent, every setback is an opportunity for a comeback.”
Footnote: DeMarion Newell is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news site powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Apply now for the FFY24 Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP-S)
The FFY 2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program-State (NSGP-S) grant application window is now open for local applicants. To receive NSGP-S, organizations must NOT be located in Hamilton or Marion Counties.
Due to the deadline to return applications to FEMA, the application period for NSGP funding will be short. Indiana local applications are due to grants@dhs.in.gov by 5 p.m. EDT on May 30, 2024. All proposed projects are capped at $150,000.
Visit the NSGP landing page for full information on the NSGP grant, including the necessary forms required to apply for funding.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is a competitive reimbursement grant program intended to provide federal funding for physical security enhancements and other security-related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack. The NSGP seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.
The NSGP-S program is open to all 501c3 nonprofit organizations located outside of Marion and Hamilton counties. Applicants within Marion and Hamilton counties should apply for the NSGP-Urban Area (NSGP-UA) program.
The items below must be completed prior to applying:
finishing the vulnerability assessment,
securing an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and
determining what items organizations need to address vulnerabilities.
The NSGP landing page features several resources to help you be successful in your application, including:
A Fiscal Year 2024 NSGP FAQ
Fiscal Year 2024 NGSP Subapplicant Quick Start Guide
The full FY24 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Spring Wine Walk Sponsored By Romain Cross Pointe is Friday, April 26 (Featured wines exclusively from Oliver Winery and a new hospitality tent)
ANNOUNCEMENT – April 19, 2024: The Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District (EID) is hosting their Spring Wine Walk Presented by Romain Cross Pointe on Friday April 26 from 5:30 – 8:30 PM. Registration will take place on the 200 Block of Main Street in front of Zuki Downtown (222 Main Street).
In continuing a partnership since 2021, wines poured during the event will be exclusively from Oliver Winery in Bloomington, Indiana. Oliver will serve eight of their popular wines (Blossom Drop, Cosmoberry, Dry Red Blend, Key Lime Pie, Melon Mint Moscato, Peach Pie, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc). All wines will be poured outside on Main Street, and attendees can carry their wine into their favorite shops. In addition to Oliver’s award-winning wines, there is shopping, live music from DJ Beamz, Georgia Funkadelic, Logan Dyer, and Korey Miles, custom typewriter poems from Poetry on the Spot, and a photo station. New for 2024, a hospitality tent presented by F.C. Tucker Emge REALTORS® will provide complimentary 5-minute chair massages, snacks, and photo points for event attendees. The event is for guests 21 years of age and older. Admission is $15 per person and includes two four-ounce tastes of Oliver wine, a commemorative tumbler, and a passport. Ticket prices increase to $25 per person at the event. Many Downtown restaurants will feature special items during the Wine Walk.
Guests will redeem their tickets at two tents on the 200 and 300 Blocks of Main Street. Each ticket is eligible for a four-ounce wine taste. Guests will visit shops on the passport and the Romain sponsor space and receive a stamp at each location. Multiple individuals will be drawn from the stamped passports to receive prize baskets of Downtown Evansville merchandise and giveaway items from businesses.
“We are excited to elevate the Wine Walk experience with a new hospitality area featuring complimentary chair massages and snacks. Buy your tickets in advance and save $10. Join us for an evening of shopping, dining, and enjoying all Downtown has to offer,” said Adam Trinkel, executive director, of EID.
Event proceeds will be used to support the EID’s clean and beautification efforts. Visit DowntownEvansville.com/WineWalk or Downtown Evansville Indiana on social media for event details and to purchase tickets.
About Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District
Following a 2017 petition process of member property owners, the EID was formed in 2018 to provide benefits and services to member properties paid for by a special annual assessment on these properties. The EID builds a move active and inclusive Downtown Evansville. It enhances resident, consumer, investor, worker, and visitor experiences in Downtown Evansville. In 2024, the EID will produce 14 large-scale events in Downtown Evansville, welcoming over 50,000 people to the District. To learn more about the EID and its progress in enhancing the Downtown experience, visit www.downtownevansville.com.
20240324_Baseball_USI vs. Tennessee Tech University_
ST. LOUIS, Mo.- The University of Southern Indiana roared back in comeback fashion showing incredible resilience to beat Eastern Illinois University on Friday afternoon at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship Tournament Quarterfinals in an incredible match, 4-2. The victory makes USI history as the Screaming Eagles earned their first OVC Tournament victory in program history.
The Eagles continue to defy odds after they were picked to finish dead last in seventh place in the preseason coaches poll. USI now owns an impressive 11-10 overall record along with a 5-2 record in the OVC. The record is a seven-game improvement from last season and gives the Eagles a winning record in only their second season of Division I competition.
“Our program has made tremendous strides the whole season,” says head coach Chris Crawford. “This win today was just another example of where our program is going. It’s history-making! The process is going in the right direction and I’m so proud of how we have competed this season.”
USI also got revenge on a tough Eastern Illinois team after the Panthers eliminated the Eagles last season in the OVC tournament. This is the second time USI took down EIU this season.
Doubles
The Eagles dug themselves a hole Friday afternoon losing two of the three doubles matches. The lone victory was freshman Anais Negrail (Caxias do Sul, Brazil) and senior Rachel McCorkle(Tulsa, Oklahoma) who won in dominant fashion firing on all cylinders, 6-0.
Singles
USI showed incredible character not letting their doubles results carry over to the singles matches. The Eagles clinched the match winning four of five competitions as freshman Antonia Ferrarini (Caxias do Sul, Brazil) beat her opponent 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 to send USI to the semifinals. The OVC second-team member earned her eleventh singles victory of the season.
Freshman Sofia Davidoff (Lagny-sur-Marne, France) also brushed off her doubles defeat, taking down her opponent 6-2, 6-3. Junior Madison Windham (Clarksville, Tennessee) gutted out a win moving her OVC singles record to 4-3.
Newly awarded OVC Freshman of the Year Negrail, lived up to her honor on Friday winning her doubles and singles matches. She outslugged her singles number four opponent 6-3, 6-4.
What’s Next
USI lives to fight another day in the OVC tournament taking on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville tomorrow at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center at 2 p.m. The Eagles look for revenge after SIUE beat the Eagles in the regular season.
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
UE track and field throwers compete in the first day of the Gibson Invitational
The Purple Aces began their weekend in the field in Terre Haute
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – The University of Evansville track and field team saw its throwers compete in the first day of the Gibson Invitational on Friday afternoon.
The Purple Aces only competed in four events on the first day of the Gibson Invitational hosted by Indiana State with the men’s and women’s hammer throw and javelin. Three throwers set a personal record while graduate thrower Zach Dove had a top-five finish in the hammer throw.
UE began the meet with the women’s hammer throw as sophomore Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio / Orange HS) led the team with a throw of 38.43 meters. Seniors Hannah Bryan (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS) and Brooke Springer (Henderson, Ky. / Henderson Community HS) also competed in the event with throws of 31.46 and 29.94 meters respectively.
Evansville’s first season best of the afternoon came from junior Preston Riggs (Ft. Branch, Ind. / Gibson Southern HS) in the men’s javelin at 41.92 meters for 17th. The Aces men also competed in the hammer throw as Dove threw for a team-best 49.60 meters. Freshman Cole Johnson (Salem, Ill. / Salem Community HS) threw a personal record 33.81 meters.
UE’s final event of the day was the women’s javelin where Bryan set a PR at 28.62 meters. Junior Kaitlyn Sansone (Fairfield, Ohio / Mercy McAuley HS) had the best finish in the event with a throw of 29.82 meters for 18th.
Evansville is back in action tomorrow morning in Terre Haute. The Aces day will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the men’s shot put and the women’s discus events. UE’s runners will hit the track for the first time this weekend starting at 12:10 p.m. with the women’s 1500-meter race.
20240324_Baseball_USI vs. Tennessee Tech University_
Eagles outlasted by Skyhawks, 15-10
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball was outlasted by the University of Tennessee at Martin, 15-10, in the opening game of a three-game series Friday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI is 15-23 and 5-8 in the OVC, while UTM goes to 14-23, 6-7 OVC.
The Screaming Eagles found themselves in a hole early as the Skyhawks scored five times in the first two innings to lead 5-0. USI would rally to cut the deficit to 5-4 with a pair runs in the third and fourth frames.
USI sophomore shortstop Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) pushed the first Eagle run across with a two-out double, while senior first baseman Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) drove in the second run with a two-out single in the third. The USI fourth inning runs featured RBI-singles by junior second baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) and senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan).
UTM re-extended the lead to 11-4 with five runs in the sixth and one run in the seventh. USI rallied to close the gap to one run, 11-10, for a second time in the contest by scoring once in the seventh and five times in the eighth.
The five-run eighth featured a two-run bomb by Ebest, his fifth home run of the season. Senior third baseman Nolan Cook (Evansville, Indiana) opened the scoring in the frame with a RBI-single and was followed by a RBI-ground out by Niehaus before the Ebest round tripper. The Eagles final run of the frame was a RBI-single by junior catcher Logan Mock(Livermore, California), who also had the RBI-single in the seventh.
The Skyhawks rebounded to take command with a four-run ninth and close out the 15-10 final.
Ebest led the Eagles at the plate in the loss, going three-for-five with a run scored, three RBIs, and the eighth inning home run.
On the bump, freshman right-hander Grant Parson (Owensboro, Kentucky) started and took the loss. Parson (3-2) allowed five runs in the first two innings, four earned, on six hits and two walks, while striking out six in five innings of work.
Up Next for the Eagles:
The Eagles continues the five-game homestand and the series with the Skyhawks Saturday for a 3 p.m. contest. The series is set to conclude Sunday at 1 p.m., while the homestand ends Tuesday with a 6 p.m. game versus Belmont University.
PEORIA, Ill. – The University of Evansville baseball team exploded for nine runs in the first three innings on Friday night, and then held off a late charge by the home-standing Bradley Braves for a 9-7 series-opening victory at Dozier Park in Peoria, Illinois.
The Purple Aces opened the game with three runs in the first inning to grab a lead it would never lose. Senior outfielder Kip Fougerousse and graduate designated hitter Chase Hug hit back-to-back RBI doubles into the left-center field gap to open the scoring, before a run-scoring error added UE’s third run in the first inning.
Bradley would get a run back in the bottom of the first inning on a solo home run by first baseman Timmy O’Brien, but UE starter Kenton Deverman would hold the Braves scoreless through the next four innings while his teammates would explode for six runs in the third inning.
After a pair of walks to open the inning, graduate third baseman Brent Widder produced an RBI single through the left side of the infield to open the six-run frame. Another Bradley error on a hard-hit ball by UE junior first baseman Cal McGinnis scored another run before graduate catcher Brendan Hord followed two batters later with an RBI single to right field to give UE a 6-1 lead. Senior shortstop Simon Scherry then blasted a three-run home run to left field to give UE a 9-1 advantage and end the night for Bradley starter Noah Edders (4-5).
Deverman (5-1) would cruise through the first five innings with a 9-1 lead, before the Braves would rally for four runs in the sixth inning to cut UE’s lead to 9-5. O’Brien would launch his second home run of the game as part of a two-run seventh inning for Bradley to get back within two runs at 9-7. But, that would be as close as the Braves would get, as junior reliever Drew Fieger worked a scoreless eighth inning, and senior Jakob Meyer recorded a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning for his second save of the year.
Hug led Evansville’s offense by going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Scherry added three RBI, as he homered in his second-straight game.
