The Newman Catholic Student Center is hosting a Q&A Monday evening to discuss the surprise announcement of Pope Benedict's retirement. Father Ryan Hilderbrand from Christ the King Catholic Church and campus minister Mike Roesch will be on hand to provide details on the history behind papal abdication and the process for choosing a new pope, as well as to answer any questions about the papacy. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m., with the discussion starting at 6:00 p.m. The Newman Center is located at 1901 Lincoln Avenue, just across the street from the Koch Center and front oval.

Everyone is welcome and invited to attend!

Contact Mike at mr201 with any questions.
 

Family Weekend 2013 is set for September 27-29! If your department or organization would like to have an event during Family Weekend, please complete the “Family Weekend Event Form” by clicking on this link: http://acelink.evansville.edu/Areas/Alumni/  or by e-mailing the information to: alumni@evansville.edu.  Like last year’s successful weekend, we would like to have a lot of student and department participation!  If you have any questions, please contact Angela Williams at 488-2900 or Donna Jones at 488-2586.  

Here are some of the activities already scheduled for Family Weekend:
Friday September 27
7- 9 p.m.
LEGGS, A philanthropic talent show where all proceeds are donated to Serious Fun Children’s Network Camps, by Phi Kappa Tau. Cost is $5.00.

Saturday, September 28
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Tin City Archaeological Tours - join members of the ARCH340 Field Methods in Archaeology class for a free tour of an archaeological excavation

2:00 p.m.
Family Weekend Concert

7:00 p.m.
SAB Show - sponsored by the Student Activity Board

8:00 p.m.,
UE Parent Social

Adventist Campus Ministries will be having Bible study on Thursday night from 7-8pm in Room153 (Eades Music Room) in the McCurdy Wing of Schroeder Family School of Business Building.

This week we are meeting on Thursday and will be discussing a variety of topics centered around the US Constitution and the Bible. Different political points of view, military service, etc will be some of the things discussed.

Anyone is welcome to attend and you can contact: Alexandra Statham (as509@evansville.edu) for more details.
 

The Gender & Women’s Studies Brown Bag Series is hosting their first speaker on Thursday, February 21. Olivia Shadid will be presenting “The Heidi Chronicles: History or Her Story” in Hyde 5B from 12:20-1 p.m.  Bring your lunch and enjoy hearing the backstory of the Heidi Chronicles currently being performed in Shanklin Theatre. Light refreshments will be offered.
 

Would you like to attend a concert, but don't know what to expect? Experience the joy of the symphony with a fun, four-session workshop on February 23 and March 2, 9 and 16 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. This relaxing and enriching class will require only your time – no reading, textbook, or homework required!

The fee to attend the workshop is $99 and the registration deadline is February 21. To register please call the Center for Adult Education at 812-488-2478 or email cae@evansville.edu

The workshop instructor will be Elizabeth Robertson, Dmus, Consortium Instructor of Oboe.

Melvin M. Peterson Literary Hour: Concerning Jack London is planned for Thursday, February 21 at 4:00 p.m. in the Melvin Peterson Gallery. Each year, in honor of the Department of Creative Writing’s longtime supporter, Mel Peterson, several professors and students discuss various aspects of the work of an important literary figure. This year the focus will be on the renowned American author, Jack London.

Interested in working for the Crescent Magazine or the LinC next year? Let’s talk. There will be info sessions at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19, in Eykamp 252, Ridgway University Center. Come to learn more about the variety of positions and practical opportunities available, including marketing and sales, writing, editing, photography and design positions. This is a great opportunity to gain professional experience in a publishing environment while earning academic credit. Information sheets and applications are available for all positions with the Crescent Magazine at facebook.com/uecrescent and with the LinC at facebook.com/uelinc. For additional information, contact tm2@evansville.edu.

The UE Health and Fitness Fair is Thursday February 21, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Fitness Center.  Admission is free. Check out our  vendors, register  for free prizes and giveaways. For more information you may contact Angie Stauber at ext.  2622 or email as547.

Do you sing, play an instrument, or have a special talent? How about cooking exotic cuisine? If you want to showcase your talent with an International flair, join us by preforming at the International Banquet. If you wish to preform please email Belen Robles (gr36@evansville.edu). If cooking is more of your preference, email Ernesto Rojas (er99@evansville.edu) on how to help. Grab some friends and put together an act or a dish… The more, the merrier! We look forward to hearing from you!
 

Greeks at the Game on Wednesday, February 20 at 7:05 p.m. Wear your letters and come support your Purple Aces as they take on Illinois State Redbirds. The highest percent of each fraternity or sorority in attendance will win a pizza party or philanthropy money for their chapter. Raffle prizes for members will be announced throughout the game which include Visa gift card, UE t-shirts, UE Fan Pack, and other great prizes! Questions? Please contact VP Inter-Greek Affairs Katie Schmidt at ks375@evansville.edu

You only have one page to say it all! Join Gene Wells, Director of the UE Center for Career Development, to learn thedo’s and don’ts for designing your résumé.. A complimentary luncheon will be provided with an RSVP to ds120@evansville.edu by Feb. 18. The luncheon & workshop will be in Eykamp 253/ 254, Ridgway University Center. 

This event is sponsored by the Office of Veterans Affairs, UE VETS (Veterans Education Transition Support), and AES (Adult Education Society) student organizations in collaboration with UE Center for Career Development. 

The University of Evansville Department of Theatre presents the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Heidi Chronicles, opening at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 15 in Shanklin Theatre.  Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 16, 21, 22, 23 and at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 17 and 24. 

Winner of the 1989 Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this comedic and poignant play by Wendy Wasserstein is an unflinching portrayal of the Baby Boom generation's coming of age.  Following Heidi and her friends through 23 years, Wasserstein deftly explores the women's rights movement and its effects on a group of intelligent and well-educated women attempting to succeed in a male-dominated world.  Audiences will be left in awe by the huge strides made by women in their attempt to "have it all" and pondering the hurdles still remaining in today's society.

The Heidi Chronicles is directed by Professor of Theatre R. Scott Lank with scenic design by senior Katie Sullivan; costume design by senior Krista Weltner; lighting design by junior Hannah Cypress Staelin-Lefsky; sound design by junior Dylan Kind, and dramaturgy by junior Olivia Shadid.

The 12-member cast features seniors Jennifer Finch as Heidi; Myra Lamphier as Molly/Jill; Micheal Trzos as Peter; Jonathan Rouse as Scoop; juniors Julie Adamo as Susan; Lilli Hokama as Betsy/Fran/April; Alex Raby as Lisa; sophomore Vasiliy Kostromitin as Waiter/Steve/Mark; and freshmen TJ Baldassare as Dr. Ray/Chris; Erdin Schultz-Bever as Becky; Caitlin McCarthy as Denise; and Glyne Pease as Debbie.

Ticket prices are $14 for adults and $12 for senior adults, students and UE faculty.  UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at noon on the day of the performance they wish to attend.  Tickets may be purchased by calling (812) 488–2031, Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m.

Attend Career Day 2013 tomorrow, February 19, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Student Fitness Center.  Gain access to nearly 75 employers hiring for full-time, cooperative education, internship, and summer opportunities.  Login to JobLink to view employers and pre-register yourself to give them access to your resume before the event!

If you are a student interested in living on campus for 2013-14, you should plan to attend one of the upcoming Housing Assignments Information Meetings.  The entire process of applying for and selecting your housing for next year will be discussed.  Come and find out the process for selecting a residence hall room or village housing (including options for the new Townhomes for fall and spring).  Meetings will be at 4:00 pm, 8:30 pm, and 9:30 pm on each following nights:

Tuesday, February 19 in Room 100, Koch Center
Wednesday, February 20 in Room 170, Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building
Thursday, February 21 in Room100, Koch Center

If you have specific questions about the process, please email Brian Conner at bc32. 
 

The Jostens representative will be at the UE Bookstore on Tuesday, February 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the entrance.  This will be the only visit during the year for the Jostens rep.  During this day Josten's will be offering up to 40% off on select college rings.  Women's rings start at $169 and men's at $189.  If you're looking to buy a college ring or just curious this is the perfect opportunity to place your order or get more information.  The offers are only good the day of the event.  If you have any questions please contact the UE Bookstore.

The theatre department is searching for an antique refrigerator made before the 1970s for our next production. Ideally the fridge would be from the 50s or 60s, but earlier models would also work. Please email Mollie Hamilton at mh289@evansville.edu if you have an old fridge that might fit this criteria and you would be willing to let us borrow or rent it until the end of March. 

This is a reminder that the United States Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) will be closed President’s Day, Monday, February 18.  Please note UE will not be able to pick up mail from U.S.P.S. on Monday, since the Post Office will be completely closed.  Any mail picked up from UE areas by Mail Services on Monday, February 18, will be metered and mailed on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 19.  For mailing questions, contact Mail Services at extension 2197.

Planning to graduate in Spring 2013? Your name must be on the Registrar's list in order to graduate or walk at the Spring Commencement ceremony! Please come to Commencement Central on February 25 from 4-7 p.m. or February 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to make sure you are on the list.

Teacher Education Admission packets are now available in the School of Education office in Graves Hall, Room 304. Your interview will be scheduled when the application and professional education portfolio (LiveText or hard copy) are submitted. The deadline for submission is March 11.  Scheduled interviews will be conducted on March 18, 19, and 20.

Please Note:  You must meet the following requirements to apply: 1) a passing score on all three praxis 1 tests or passing ACT/SAT scores, 2) overall GPA of 2.8 or better, 3) grade C or better in EDUC 100, 200, 320 or currently enrolled.

Please contact the School of Education office or your advisor if you have any questions.

The University of Evansville, in pursuit of excellence in service, wishes to recognize a non-faculty employee displaying records of achievement as a leader.  Leadership may be demonstrated in any of the following categories:

• Service to the University community
• Service to students
• Job performance and attitude towards fellow employees

To be eligible, an employee must be a full-time member of administration or staff.

Nominations for the March 2013 Employee Excellence Award are due no later than Wednesday, February 20.

To nominate someone, or to find out more information about the Employee Excellence Awards, go to http://acelink.evansville.edu/Tools/EmployeeAward/

Assistant Professor of Sociology Mari Plikuhn was invited to present at the 18th Annual Indiana University Preparing Future Faculty Conference on Friday, February 15. Her presentation, "Developing Innovative Teaching Strategies," was part of a panel designed to assist graduate students from across the social and natural sciences who are making the transition from graduate students to faculty members.

Day two of action is complete in Carbondale and the University of Evansville women’s swimming and diving team stands in fourth place entering Saturday’s final day of action.Missouri State continues to lead with 593 points as Illinois State stands in second place at 515.  Southern Illinois remains third with 440 tallies while Evansville has 318 points and Northern Iowa stands in fifth at 185.

Michelle Tipton set a new school record with her victory in the 200 Yard Freestyle, pacing the way with a 1:49.21.  She finished just ahead of Pamela Benitez of SIU. 

Samantha Montgomery recorded a top five finish in the 100 Yard Butterfly as her finals time of 56.82 was good for fifth place.  Michea Reinitz posted a 57.99 to take 12th place in the event.

Jill Enge led a successful race for UE in the 100 Yard Breaststroke as her time of 1:05.04 put her in fourth place overall.  Just behind her was Mackenzie Powell, who registered a 1:05.56 to finish in sixth place.

In 400 Yard IM action, Melissa Thurman took eighth place with a 4:34.02 while Caroline Lee rounded out the top ten with a 4:33.47.

Tipton, Powell, Mackenzie Harris and Charlotte Lechner helped the Aces to a finish of 4th in the 800 Yard Freestyle Relay; they recorded a time of 7:47.70.

The action gets underway at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the prelims before the finals commence at 4 p.m.  The events featured tomorrow include: 1650 Yard Freestyle, 200 Yard Backstroke, 100 Yard Freestyle, 200 Yard Breaststroke, 200 Yard Butterfly, 3 Meter Diving and the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay. 

For live coverage, point your browser to www.MVCSports.com to follow along with the action.

A late rally by the University of Evansville men’s basketball team against No. 23 Creighton fell short as the Bluejays held on for a 71-68 win on Saturday afternoon at the Ford Center.Down by nine with under five minutes remaining, Evansville (14-13, 7-8 MVC) got within a point with 1:11 left, but Creighton (21-6, 10-5 MVC) held off the furious charge to hang on for the win.

Ned Cox led UE with 18 points on a 6-14 shooting night that included four three-pointers.  Colt Ryan tallied 13 while moving up to second on the all-time scoring list for the Aces.  Freshman Adam Wing, making the first start of his career, set his career mark with 10 points.

“We kept battling and our guys showed a lot of toughness and we had our chances at the end,” UE head coach Marty Simmons said.  “I cannot fault our effort, Creighton is a smart team and if you make mistakes, they make you pay for it.”

A hot 6-for-6 start to the game saw Evansville jump out to a 14-3 lead less than five minutes into the game.  Ned Cox and Adam Wing opened up with back-to-back threes while Egidijus Mockevicius recorded a pair of baskets in the opening rally.  Creighton fought back with a stretch of its own as Jahenns Manigat recorded 8 early tallies as the Bluejays made 4-5 shots in a 12-3 run to get within a point at 16-15.  After its 6-6 start, the Aces made just one of their next eight attempts.

In an early show of runs by each team, it was the Aces turn as they hit four out of their opening six threes as a 10-0 stretch gave UE a 26-15 lead with nine minutes left in the opening stanza.  The hot shooting turned into a 15-0 rally that gave Evansville its largest lead of the game at 31-15 inside of eight minutes left in the first half.

Creighton fought off its rough start to post a double-figure run of its own as an 11-0 rally got the Bluejays back with five at 31-26.  Evansville missed seven shots in a row while CU was 4-5.  Adam Wing connected on his second three with just over two minutes remaining to end a drought of five minutes. 

In the final minutes, the Bluejays were able to cut the lead back to five as the score stood at 36-31 at the half.  Cox and Manigat scored nine apiece to lead all scorers in the half while Colt Ryan tallied six opening-half points.  With that tally, he passed Marcus Wilson for second on the all-time UE list.  Wilson finished his Evansville career with 2,053 points.

Doug McDermott, who tallied six points in the first half, matched that total in just three minutes in the second, notching six of CU's opening eight points before Avery Dingman scored his first bucket of the game, a three, to give the Bluejays their first lead of the game at 42-40 with 16:26 left.  With the Bluejays up 44-40, three UE points came from an unlikely source as Ryan Sawvell connected on the first trey of his career to bring UE back within one. 

The lead would change hands on two occasions before Creighton took its largest lead at 54-48 inside of 11 minutes left in the game.  UE used another Cox three to get back within one before the Bluejays took a 65-56 edge with five minutes left.

Evansville made a furious rally as an 8-0 run brought them within a point with just over two minutes left.  Later, a pair of free throws by Cox brought UE back within a point once again with just over a minute remaining.   The Bluejays continued to hold the lead into the final seconds when a McDermott free throw gave them a 71-68 lead.  The Aces had a chance for the tie, but a trey by Cox fell short.

McDermott led everyone with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Austin Chatman had 12 for CU.  The Aces finished with a 37-25 lead on the boards while it was Creighton shooting 52.2% and Evansville finishing at 40%.

On Wednesday, Evansville looks to right the ship versus Illinois State.  The Aces and Redbirds tip off at 7:05 p.m. at the Ford Center.

Michelle Tipton was named one of the MVC Swimmers of the Year while Rickey Perkins was named one of the Coaches of the Year as the Purple Aces women’s swimming and diving team wrapped up the MVC Championships on Saturday in Carbondale, Ill.Tipton led the way on the final day as her time of 51.02 in the 100 Yard Freestyle was tops in the league.  Tipton finished 0.19 ahead of Katherine Gately of Missouri State.  Michea Reinitz posted a 52.30 in the event to take seventh place while Mackenzie Harris was 13th with a 53.40.

In the 200 Meter Breaststroke, Mackenzie Powell led UE’s contingent with a 7th place finish on the strength of a 2:22.88.  She was followed by Melissa Thurman, who took 9th place.

Samantha Montgomery posted a top ten finish in the 200 Meter Butterfly; her time of 2:11.15 placed her in tenth.  The team of Montgomery, Abby Smith, Tipton and Reinitz participated in the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, taking 4th with a 3:26.93.

Sadie Wells was the top diver for Evansville, finishing in 4th place with a score of 297.25.

Evansville was well represented on the All-Conference lists as Reinitz, Smith and Tipton each earned 1st Team honors.  Jill Enge, Montgomery, Powell, Thurman and Wells each garnered MVC All-Conference Honorable Mentions.

Taking the team win was Missouri State, who extended its lead over second-place Illinois State.  The Bears posted an 897 in the event while the Redbirds notched a 776.  Southern Illinois took third with a 721 while Evansville finished with a 450 to take fourth place.  UNI rounded out the top five with a 294.
 

Visiting Illinois State used 18 second chance points a pair of second-half runs to post a 64-46 win over the University of Evansville women’s basketball team Saturday night at the Ford Center.

Senior Meagan Collins led Evansville (8-15, 6-6 MVC) with 13 points off the bench, going 6-for-10 from the field.  Sophomore Mallory Ladd also scored in double figures, tallying 11 points and senior Samantha Heck pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Illinois State (17-8, 9-4 MVC) grabbed an early 6-0 lead, before the Purple Aces countered with a 9-2 run and led 9-8, after a Ladd layup just over five minutes into the contest.

Heck connected on one of two free throws to give UE an 18-14 advantage with 10:54 remaining in the opening period, before the Redbirds grabbed their second lead of the first half at 22-20 on a fast break layup by Chloe Nelson that was created following a Brianna Puni steal at the 5:22 mark.

Evansville regained the lead at 24-22 on a Ladd jumper with 4:30 left to play in the first half and the Aces’ defense held ISU without a field goal for the final 5:44 of the stanza to build a 28-24 halftime lead.

In a half that saw five ties and three lead changes, Ladd led UE with nine points in the opening 20 minutes, as Evansville sank 11 of its 24 first-half shots for a 45.8 percent shooting clip and held Illinois State to just a 33.3 percent shooting percentage (9-for-27), including a 1-for-7 effort from behind the arc.

In the second half, Collins gave the Aces their largest lead of the game with a layup at the 16:37 mark that made the score 32-26 in favor of UE.

However, Evansville’s lead quickly dwindled, as Illinois State went on a 9-0 run that was capped by a mid-range jumper by Jamie Russell and gave the Redbirds a 35-32 advantage.

With 11:13 remaining in the ballgame, freshman Laura Friday sank a deep trey to knot the score at 37-37, before ISU went on 19-3 run over the next eight minutes to seal the victory.

Candace Sykes, who finished with a game-high 24 points, scored 10 points during the run by draining a pair of threes, connecting on a jumper and making good on both of her free throw opportunities.

Russell capped Illinois State’s run with a layup that put the Redbirds in front 56-40 with 5:13 left to play, before Collins ended the Aces’ scoring drought with a layup just over two minutes later.

Sykes would hit two more triples in the final three minutes of the contest to cap her 21-point second half and make the final score 64-46.

Janae Smith recorded a double-double for the Redbirds with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Russell finished the night with 10 points and seven boards.

Evansville scored 20 points in the paint, but it was ISU that dominated the boards, outrebounding UE, 43-28, and scoring 18 points off of 13 offensive rebounds. 

The Aces will return to action Thursday, Feb. 21, when they travel to Wichita, Kan., for a 7:05 p.m. contest with Missouri Valley Conference leading Wichita State.
 

Marina Moreno earned the second win of her UE career as the Purple Aces women’s tennis team fell by a final of 4-3 at Butler on Saturday evening.Moreno took the win over Konstantina Adami, 6-0, 7-5, at No. 4 singles.  Kelsey Costales also earned a singles win in the sixth flight, downing Sienna Reuter, 6-3, 6-0.  At the top flight, it was Stephanie McLoughlin defeating Natasha James (6-1, 6-3) while Caroline Hedrick defeated Mina Milovic in flight two, 6-0, 7-6. 

Brittany Farmer helped the Bulldogs pick up a win in the third flight as she topped Gaby Fifer, 6-2, 7-6 and Laura Shull got past Emily Richardson, 6-4, 6-4.  They squared off in flight no. 5.

The Purple Aces grabbed the doubles point to begin the night as the reigning MVC Women’s Tennis Athletes of the Week Natasha James and Marketa Trousilova downed McLoughlin and Adami, 8-4.  Third flight doubles saw Fifer and Richardson down Shull and Reuter by an 8-6 final.

Costales and Moreno fell to Hedrick and Farmer, 8-5, in the second slot.

Evansville will be back at it in a big way as they will play three matches in the next seven days.  The trek begins on Wednesday as UE travels to Murray State for a 1 p.m. match.  They return home next weekend for a pair of contests as they take on SIU Edwardsville on Friday before playing host to UT-Martin on Saturday evening.  Both matches will begin at 7 p.m. at the Tri-State Athletic Club.

The University of Evansville softball team (0-5) fell to Troy, 5-3, as the weekend wrapped up at the Troy Invitational in Troy, Ala.

The Aces’ offense was able to tally three RBI’s by three different players, while seniors #Halie Malone# and #Kendall Kautz# led UE at the plate, each going 2-for-3 on the day. Malone notched her first double of the season while currently leading the Aces with a .500 batting average.

Evansville will take the field next at the Jackson State Tournament, traveling to Jackson, Miss. to take part in a three-day series beginning on February 22 that includes host Jackson State and Nebraska-Omaha. The Aces’ first pitch will take place at 3:00 p.m. CST on Friday against Nebraska-Omaha.

Game Recap
Troy’s lead came all at once in the bottom of the second, first with a bunt that allowed the Trojans to take a 1-0 lead early. After a pair of stolen bases and a throwing error by Evansville, Troy extended its lead, 2-0, over the Aces. Singles by the Trojans and a ground out to first base allowed for a three-run advance, making it a 5-0 game to end the inning.

The Aces soon answered back in the top of the third when Malone doubled down the left field line and senior #Tamara Robey# singled up the middle to bring Malone in for the run, making it 5-1 with the Trojans still in the lead.

After a scoreless fourth inning, Evansville was able to put up two more runs in the top of the fifth after sophomore #Kayla Fortner# walked, allowing senior #Brianna Villanueva# to score. Kautz was able to single through the left side to bring in Robey for the run, tallying a 5-3 score to end the inning.

The Trojans were able to hold off the Aces in the seventh with a strikeout and couple of pop ups to second base, ending the game in a 5-3 win by Troy.

Troy pitcher Rachel Rigney, now 3-1 on the season, took the win for the Trojans, pitching 7.0 innings with six strikeouts and only allowing one run. Freshman #Annie Moore# was charged with the loss, pitching 2.0 innings and allowing four runs. Freshman #Sarah Baldwin# pitched 2.1 innings, while tallying one strikeout before junior #Taylor Perry# came in at relief, tossing three strikeouts for the Aces during 1.2 innings pitched.

Senior pitcher Kyle Lloyd exited with the lead after tossing five shutout innings, but the University of Evansville baseball team could not hold on, as Arkansas-Little Rock scored six unanswered runs to claim the series with a 6-5 win Sunday afternoon at Gary Hogan Field in Little Rock, Ark.

Evansville (1-2) led 5-0 after five innings, as Lloyd allowed just three hits and recorded 10 strikeouts in his 5.0 innings on the mound, but the Trojans (2-1) plated four runs in their half of the fifth and tacked on two more in the eighth to complete the comeback.

“Kyle Lloyd gave us a great chance to win today by providing us with a great start, but we squandered it away, giving up another big inning in this series,” head coach Wes Carroll said.  “Offensively, we had a chance to put the game away in the final three innings, we just weren’t able to capitalize on the opportunities.”

The Purple Aces got five RBI from five different players with junior Jake Mahon leading UE offensively with a pair of hits, including a solo home run, and two runs scored.  Redshirt sophomore Kevin Kaczmarski, freshman Jonathan Ramon, redshirt junior Johnny Day and redshirt sophomore Michael Eckstein combined to drive in Evansville’s other four runs.

Evansville took a 1-0 lead on Mahon’s homer in the top of the first and doubled its lead in its half of the second, when Eckstein drove a single through the right side of the infield that allowed Day, who led off the inning with a walk, to score from second.

The Aces extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth on an RBI fly out by Kaczmarski that allowed senior Chris Pearson to tag and score from third.  Pearson led off the frame with a single and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Eckstein, before Kaczmarski’s fly ball to right.

UE pushed across two more runs in the top of the fifth on RBI singles by Ramon and Day and led 5-0 after five full innings.  Mahon started the inning with a double to right and scored on Ramon’s one-out single.  Later in the stanza, Day delivered a two-out single that allowed Ramon to score from second.

UALR got it offense going in the bottom of the sixth, when junior Ryan Billo came on in relief of Lloyd.  Arkansas-Little Rock immediately jumped on Billo, scoring its first run of the contest after Ben Crumpton doubled to left and scored on a single by Myles Parma.  Bryson Thionnet brought the Trojans within one run of Evansville by belting a two-out, three-run blast over the wall in left to make the score 5-4.

After a scoreless seventh in which each team stranded a runner in scoring position, Arkansas-Little Rock was able to take the lead by pushing across two runs in its half of the eighth.  After Aces’ reliever Tyler Miller allowed a one-out single, senior Jake Naumann was called out of the bullpen to try and close the game for UE.  Naumann was able to get John Clark to line out to second for the second out of the inning, but Thionnet once again came through for UALR, tying the game at 5-5 with a triple to right.  Thionnet scored the eventual game-winning run one batter later, crossing the plate on a dropped third strike that would have ended the inning.

In the top of the ninth, UE put the tying run in scoring position, when senior Jason Hockemeyer singled to short and Day reached on an error, but Hockeyer would be stranded at second after Pearson grounded out to end the game.

“All-in-all, I learned a lot about out club during this season-opening series,” Carroll said. “All three games were hard fought and could have gone either way.”

Naumann (0-1) was saddled with the loss, allowing an unearned run in his 0.2 innings of relief, while Dillon Moritz (1-0) earned the win for Arkansas-Little Rock by tossing two scoreless innings of relief and allowing just two hits.

The Aces will return to the state of Arkansas next weekend, when they travel to Fayetteville for a three-game series with No. 1 Arkansas beginning Friday, Feb. 22. The Razorbacks took two of three games from Western Illinois in their season-opening series and will host New Orleans for a pair of games, before welcoming Evansville to Baum Stadium.