FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
HOT JOBS
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville freshman starter Kenton Deverman tossed a complete-game four-hitter on Friday night, as the host Purple Aces knocked off the visiting Missouri State Bears, 4-1, at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.
“What a special performance tonight by Kenton Deverman on the mound,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “He certainly did not look like a freshman tonight, as he went out and battled against a very good lineup in Missouri State.
“Tonight was a classic Friday night pitcher’s duel in the Missouri Valley Conference. I thought that their guy (Brandt Thompson) was really good tonight as well, and we were just able to scratch across enough runs to get the win and set us up for a situation to win another series on a Saturday.”
Deverman was strong from the start, allowing just a single hit through the first four innings. Missouri State would strike first against him in the fifth inning on a one-out RBI single by catcher Dylan Leach, but Deverman’s teammates quickly answered back to tie the game, and he retired 13 of the final 15 men he faced, not allowing a base runner past first base after the fifth inning.
UE tied the game for Deverman in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to a hustle double by junior outfielder Harrison Taubert and a Missouri State error. Graduate third baseman Brent Widder then gave UE the lead for good in the sixth inning with a line-shot home run to left field for his ninth home run of the year. Senior shortstop Simon Scherry followed two batters later with an RBI double down the left-field line to move UE’s lead to 3-1. Another double by Taubert and an RBI single by graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger in the seventh inning capped the scoring for UE.
Deverman improved to 6-1 with the victory, striking out six in a complete-game effort. Taubert went 3-for-5 with three doubles, while Shallenberger added two hits.
With the victory, Evansville improved to 23-18 overall and 11-5 in the MVC. Missouri State, meanwhile, dropped to 17-23 overall and 6-10 in the MVC with the loss. The series will continue on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., with UE graduate left-hander Donovan Schultz (2-1, 6.29 ERA) scheduled to get the start for the Purple Aces. Saturday’s game can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS.
USI rallies in nightcap to split with EIU
CHARLESTON, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball scored eight times in the nightcap and earned a doubleheader split at Eastern Illinois University Thursday afternoon in Charleston, Illinois. USI lost the opening game, 4-2, but took the nightcap, 8-1. The Screaming Eagles are 18-25 and 7-10 OVC, while Panthers goes to 14-25, 8-9 OVC.
Game 1:
The Screaming Eagles and the Panthers battle back and forth, but EIU came out on top, 4-2, in the opening game of the doubleheader.
USI opened up the game with a 1-0 lead in the first inning when senior rightfielder Ren Tachioka (Japan) scored after sophomore second baseman Caleb Niehaus (Newburgh, Indiana) reached on an error. EIU knotted the score at 1-1 with a tally in the bottom of the first, USI regained the lead briefly when junior first baseman Thomas Emerich (Ava, Missouri) scored on a ground out by Tachioka in the top of the fourth.
The Panther put together a run in the fifth and sixth to take command of the game, 3-2, and sealed the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth for the 4-2 decision.
USI freshman right-hander Grant Parson (Owensboro, Kentucky) started and took the loss for the Eagles. Parson (3-3) allowed three runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out four in seven innings of work.
Freshman right-hander Clayton Weisheit (Ferdinand, Indiana) followed and finished the game for the Eagles. Weisheit gave up one run on a home run and struck out one in two innings.
Game 2:
USI scored five times in the top of the first and cruised to an 8-1 victory in the night cap.
In the opening frame, USI scored five times on four hits and was highlighted by a two-run single up the middle by junior centerfielder Terrick Thompson-Allen (Sioux City, Iowa) and a RBI-single by Niehaus. The Eagles increased the lead to 6-0 on a sacrifice fly by Thompson-Allen, who finished game two with a pair of hits and a team-high three RBIs.
After EIU pushed a run across in the third, USI re-extend its lead to 8-1 with a pair of tallies in the fifth. Emerich knocked in the first run of the frame with a RBI-single up the middle, while junior second baseman Lane Crowden (Jackson, Missouri) scored on a Tachioka sacrifice fly for the seven-run advantage.
On the mound, junior right-hander Carson Seeman (Auburn, California) picked up the win with a dominating relief performance. Seeman (3-2) blanked the Panthers through six innings, allowing four hits and striking out four.
USI junior right-hander Peyton Brown (Clemmons, North Carolina) started and got a no-decision. Brown went the first three frames and permitted EIU’s lone second game run on two hits, while striking out four.
Up Next for the Ea
Petrova to play in East Lansing NCAA Regional
Three rounds set for May 6-8
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – On the heels of her second Missouri Valley Conference individual championship in as many tries, University of Evansville golfer Kate Petrova is set to take part in the NCAA Regionals.
Petrova was selected to represent the MVC as an individual at the East Lansing Regional with play to take place from May 6-8. Michigan State University is the host institution for the regional. She joins individuals from Illinois, Notre Dame, Louisville and Western Kentucky in the 3-round tournament.
Teams set to participate in the East Lansing Regional include USC, Northwestern, Florida, Pepperdine, Michigan State, Kentucky, Denver, Oklahoma State, Indiana, Augusta, Illinois State and Oakland. This marks just the second time UE has been represented at an NCAA Regional. In 2021, the Purple Aces won the team championship and took part in the Columbus Regional.
For the second year in a row, the 2024 MVC Championship came down to a playoff with Petrova earning the victory. Trailing by four strokes entering the final round, Petrova carded a 3-under 69 to force a playoff with Ali Schrock of Illinois State. Petrova birdied the third playoff hole to seal the victory. Her win marked the fourth time in the last eight seasons that the University of Evansville has had the individual league champion.
Petrova is Evansville’s first 2-time MVC women’s golf champion. Kayla Katterhenry (2017) and Sophia Rohleder (2021) are Evansville’s other champions. Along with being Medalist, Petrova was named to the All-Conference and All-Tournament Teams. She is the 7th golfer to earn MVC Medalist two or more times.
DEVERMAN’S COMPLETE-GAME GEM POWERS UE BASEBALL PAST MISSOURI STATE, 4-1
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville freshman starter Kenton Deverman tossed a complete-game four-hitter on Friday night, as the host Purple Aces knocked off the visiting Missouri State Bears, 4-1, at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.
“What a special performance tonight by Kenton Deverman on the mound,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “He certainly did not look like a freshman tonight, as he went out and battled against a very good lineup in Missouri State.
“Tonight was a classic Friday night pitcher’s duel in the Missouri Valley Conference. I thought that their guy (Brandt Thompson) was really good tonight as well, and we were just able to scratch across enough runs to get the win and set us up for a situation to win another series on a Saturday.”
Deverman was strong from the start, allowing just a single hit through the first four innings. Missouri State would strike first against him in the fifth inning on a one-out RBI single by catcher Dylan Leach, but Deverman’s teammates quickly answered back to tie the game, and he retired 13 of the final 15 men he faced, not allowing a base runner past first base after the fifth inning.
UE tied the game for Deverman in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to a hustle double by junior outfielder Harrison Taubert and a Missouri State error. Graduate third baseman Brent Widder then gave UE the lead for good in the sixth inning with a line-shot home run to left field for his ninth home run of the year. Senior shortstop Simon Scherry followed two batters later with an RBI double down the left-field line to move UE’s lead to 3-1. Another double by Taubert and an RBI single by graduate outfielder Mark Shallenberger in the seventh inning capped the scoring for UE.
Deverman improved to 6-1 with the victory, striking out six in a complete-game effort. Taubert went 3-for-5 with three doubles, while Shallenberger added two hits.
With the victory, Evansville improved to 23-18 overall and 11-5 in the MVC. Missouri State, meanwhile, dropped to 17-23 overall and 6-10 in the MVC with the loss. The series will continue on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., with UE graduate left-hander Donovan Schultz (2-1, 6.29 ERA) scheduled to get the start for the Purple Aces. Saturday’s game can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS.
Nink’s walk-off home run gives Aces 6-5 win over Bears
UE hits four home runs in series opened
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With two outs and two runners on base in the bottom of the 7thinning, Jenna Nink launched a walk-off 3-run home run to give the University of Evansville softball team a 6-5 win over Missouri State at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at Cooper Stadium.
Nink’s home run was the fourth of the game for the Purple Aces, who continued to battle throughout the game. Alexa Davis, Marah Wood and Niki Bode also hit homers in the win. Nink finished the night going 2-4 with three RBI and a run while Hannah Hood was 2-2 with a walk. Sydney Weatherford had another strong start, giving up five runs, three earned, in 6 2/3 innings. Megan Brenton recorded the final out in the top of the 7th and was credited with the win.
Missouri State took an early lead as a 2-run home run by Annie Mueller in the top of the first put the Bears in front. In the top of the fourth, a solo shot by Kenzie Derryberry made it a 3-0 game.
UE drew a pair of walks in the opening three frames before notching its first hit in the bottom half of the fourth. Jenna Nink singled through the left side before a bloop single by Hannah Hood put two runners on with one out. MSU starter Gracie Johnson picked up the final two outs to keep UE off the board.
Lacy Smith made a stellar defensive play in the top of the fifth, securing a catch against the outfield wall to keep a sure run from scoring. That work paid off as the offense came through in the bottom of the inning. Alexa Davis picked up a solo home run to get her squad on the board.
Back-to-back solo shots by Marah Wood and Niki Bode in the bottom of the 6th tied the game heading into the 7th. Missouri State rallied back with two scores to retake a 5-3 lead in the top half of the 7th, but UE staged a 2-out rally in the bottom of the frame. Brooke Voss drew a walk before Jess Willsey singled to right. That brought Nink to the plate and she came through with her second long ball of the season to secure the win.
On Saturday, the squads meet up at 2 p.m.
Breaking News: Board of CommissionersSupporting Opioid Settlement Funds To Aid Sheriff’s Office Mental Health Programs
BREAKING NEWS: Commissioners Supporting Opioid Settlement Funds to Aid in Sheriff’s Office Mental Health Programs
APRIL 27, 27
EVANSVILLE, IN – April 27, 2024 – The Vanderburgh County Commissioners just adopted Resolution NO. CO.R-04-24-005, a resolution supporting the use of restricted funds from opioid settlements to strengthen mental health programs and services at the Vanderburgh County Jail. The resolution underscores the county’s commitment to addressing the opioid crisis and supporting mental health initiatives within the jail population.
Through outside counsel in multiple nationwide cases, Vanderburgh County has been actively engaged in litigation pursuing damages caused by opioids. The settlement from these cases, which is ongoing, must be used for treatment, education, and prevention programs for opioid use disorder and other co-occurring substance use disorders or mental health issues. The Commissioners believe allocating these restricted funds to enhance programs, services, staff, and operations at the jail will fortify efforts to combat opioid abuse and address mental health challenges.
Sheriff Noah Robinson, Chief Deputy Nathan Sugarman, and Jail Commander Dave Guetling attended the Commission meeting in a show of support for the resolution. Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. representatives were also in attendance including Community Support Services Outpatient Clinical Manager Dan Haviza, Assertive Community Treatment Team Lead Dannielle Schoenfeld, and Community Support Services Outpatient Forensic Therapist Kelsey Hawkins.
Sheriff Robinson outlined plans to utilize opioid funds, in addition to the $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds previously allocated by the Commissioners, to implement a new jail mental health wing that will include ten (10) beds in the Mental Health Treatment Unit and thirty-two (32) beds in the Substance Use Disorder Unit. He further explained the Sheriff’s Office is in discussions with Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. to utilize their services to staff the mental health wing to provide mental health and addiction-based services to inmates.
“Additionally, we plan to partner with the State of Indiana and their Integrative Recovery and Community Support Program to put peer-based, peer-support individuals inside the facility, providing the treatment and counseling to
Board of Commissioners Adopt Resolution
inmates, and hopefully fund a community-based organization to provide substance abuse counseling for inmates who are rotating out of the jail and coming back into the community, ” Sheriff Robinson stated.
Board of Commissioners Adopt Resolution
President Musgrave acknowledged the longstanding efforts of the Commissioners to address mental health and substance abuse issues within the jail system. She stated, “I’m truly excited about this. It has been our intention since we learned
Board of Commissioners Adopt Resolution
that opioid funding might come our way to create this new program at the jail. The Commissioners for several years,
Board of Commissioners Adopt Resolution
even predating some of the members who are currently on the Commission, have been working towards this happy day.”
Commissioner Elpers commended the evidence-based approach of leveraging the Innovative Recovery and Corrections Support (IRCS) program to address substance abuse within the jail population.
Commissioner Goebel thanked Sheriff Robinson for his work stating, “I think this can be a great plan for Vanderburgh County.”
The resolution was unanimously adopted by the Commissioners, signaling a unified commitment to leveraging resources effectively to address pressing community
Clark Selected As USI Class Of 2024 President’s Medalist
Shelby L. Clark, who will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and minors in management, public relations and advertising, has been named the recipient of the President’s Medal, the highest honor bestowed to an undergraduate in the University of Southern Indiana Class of 2024.
A committed member of the USI Honors Program and Beta Gamma Sigma, Clark is dedicated to advancing the University’s continuous improvement. Throughout her tenure at USI, she played a crucial role at The Shield, the University’s student-run newspaper. Joining as a Staff Writer in October 2020 during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the newspaper faced a significant decline in leadership and staff, Clark persevered and assumed the role of Editor-in-Chief in May 2021. In this capacity, she led a team of over 40 students, fostering growth in their writing, editing, journalism, social media, business, sales and marketing skills.
Clark revamped The Shield’s staff structure and training processes, contributed to content creation and editing for diverse audiences and platforms, and oversaw the publication of 400 stories, 72 weekly newsletters and 12 monthly print editions, including the first-ever print edition dedicated to the USI Black community.
Notably, as the third two-term Editor-in-Chief for The Shield since its founding in 1968, Clark and her student team produced a 56-page special edition magazine, “Unmasked,” to tell the stories of how COVID-19 affected the USI community. She and her team also planned one of the largest student-organized events of the 2022-23 academic year, Unmasking USI, to commemorate the magazine release and celebrate returning to a “new normal” post-pandemic.
Presently, Clark serves as Publicity Chair of the Asian Student Union (ASU). In this capacity, she assists ASU with event planning, hosting and promotion, as well as assists ASU officers in leading members and providing education about Asian culture. She also serves as Marketing Officer for the inaugural USI Business Professionals of America Chapter, assisting with the foundation of the organization, event planning and execution and the promotion of its events.
In addition, during her time at USI, Clark has served as a Welcome Week Team Leader, assisted with New Student Convocation and hosted several Shield-related events, including awards ceremonies, bonding experiences and media days. She was also on the 2024 Homecoming Court.
Beyond the University, she is an integral part of the Greater Grace Apostolic Church. Clark’s responsibilities include designing media, managing the Church’s online presence, executing marketing campaigns and actively participating in weekly praise team sessions. Her involvement extends to collaboration with the Oakland City Ministerial Association to promote community events.
Clark is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship and was named a Top 10 Student Leader during the 2021-22 academic year. Under her leadership at The Shield, her team won several awards from the University and externally, including from the Indiana Collegiate Press Association in Online, Division II Newspaper and Advertising categories.
Those who recommended her describe her as a naturally collaborative leader with unmatched integrity to every task she touches. Her devotion to, and passion for, USI has left a positive mark on the institution. Other finalists for the President’s Medal from the Class of 2024 included Christina Butler, Omar Elhanafy and Alexis Reed. The Student Affairs Committee of Faculty Senate annually selects the recipient of the President’s Medal.
Gov. Holcomb announces $1.4B Toyota investment as Indiana continues to lead the future of mobility
Company’s new battery electric SUV grows Toyota’s total Indiana investment to $8B, solidifying its long-term stability in Southwest Indiana
PRINCETON, Ind. – Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today that Toyota will locate assembly of an all-new battery electric vehicle (BEV) in Indiana, investing $1.4 billion at its Princeton facility and bolstering the state’s leadership in the future of mobility.
“Indiana and Toyota share a nearly 30-year partnership that has cultivated job stability and economic opportunity in Princeton and the surrounding Southwest Indiana region for decades,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Toyota’s investment in the state began with an $800 million commitment and has grown to over $8 billion. Today’s incredible announcement shows yet again just how important our state’s business friendly environment, focus on long-term success and access to a skilled workforce is to companies seeking to expand and be profitable far into the future. Indiana proudly looks forward to continuing to being at the center of the future of mobility.”
The company’s investment will provide new plant infrastructure, including a new battery pack assembly line at the facility, to support production of the all-new battery electric SUV at Toyota Indiana. To support its growth, Toyota plans to create up to 340 new jobs by the end of 2025. The company already employs more than 7,500 associates in southwest Indiana to support production of the Toyota Sienna, Highlander, Grand Highlander and the Lexus TX.
“Our team members are the heart of Toyota,” said Tim Hollander, president of Toyota Indiana. “We take great pride in producing quality products while providing long-term, stable employment no matter the changes in our industry. Our team is committed to delivering this new product with the same quality and performance that Toyota customers expect.”
Today’s announcement is part of Toyota’s commitment to increase electrification efforts in the U.S. and grows the company’s total investment in its Indiana facility to $8 billion. This is the company’s third major expansion announcement for the Princeton facility in four years, following commitments in 2021to bring two new vehicles to Indiana, investing $803 million and create 1,400 new jobs, and in 2020 to complete its plant modernization project, investing $700 million and creating 150 new jobs.
Toyota broke ground on its Princeton plant in 1996 and has since been a leader in Indiana’s automotive industry while creating new jobs and training opportunities for workers. In addition, the company has played a significant role in advancing quality of place and quality of life in the southwest Indiana region. Through READI, Toyota is supporting transformative projects, including the new Toyota Indiana YMCA in Princeton and The District housing complex in Princeton, to provide access to health and wellness, community support and housing for all residents while helping employers like Toyota and its many suppliers attract even more talent to the region.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed an investment in Toyota of up to $5 million in incentive-based tax credits and up to $1 million in conditional structured performance payments based on the company’s plans to invest $632 million. These incentives are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim state benefits once investments are made.
About Toyota Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 13 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 27 electrified options.