Get a backstage peek into what it takes to mount a high-quality Shakespearean production as UE Theatre prepares to open Romeo and Juliet, one of his most well-known and accessible plays. The behind the scenes presentation will be featured at this month’s Think Outside the Lunch Box faculty speaker series event this Thursday, April 4 at noon at Old National Bank’s downtown Evansville location at One Main Street.

To tell the tragic tale of star-crossed lovers from feuding families, the Department of Theatre enlisted a team of talented actors, vocal coaches, fight directors, costume designers, and many others.

The presentation will begin with a 15-minute video that features interviews with many of the students involved in the production. The video explores the audition process, Shakespearean language, fight scenes, set design, costumes and wigs, and makeup and hair for Romeo and Juliet. John David Lutz, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and director of Romeo and Juliet will provide additional insight during a Q&A session that will follow the video.

Attendees will also have the chance to win one of two gift certificates that can be redeemed for two tickets to Romeo and Juliet, which runs April 12-14 and 18-21 in Shanklin Theatre.

This will be the last Think Outside the Lunch Box event in the 2012-13 academic year. The series will resume in the fall.

Attendees are welcome to eat lunch during the presentation. Please note: The restaurant in Old National Bank’s lobby has closed, so please bring your lunch with you.

The Department of Music continues its First Tuesday Concert Series this week in Neu Chapel at 7:30 with a performance by the UE Wind Ensemble.  Assistant Professor and Director of Bands Ken Steinsultz will lead the ensemble in a concert that will include Ron Nelson’s Courtly Airs and Dances, Donald Grantham’s J’ai été au bal, Warren Benson’s Solitary Dancer, and Alfred Reed’s Armenian Dances.  Assistant Professor of Music Education Timothy Groulx will also conduct the ensemble in a performance of John Barnes Chance’s Incantation and Dance.  The concert is free and open to the public.

Four small ensembles will offer two concerts on Sunday evening, April 7.  The Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Consortium Instructor of Percussion Ross Erickson, will perform in Wheeler Concert Hall at 6:00.  The program will include works by Carlos Chavez and David Long, among others.  Three brass chamber ensembles will then perform in Neu Chapel at 7:30.  Under the direction of Professor of Trumpet Timothy Zifer, the Trumpet Ensemble will perform works by Johann Walter, Leroy Anderson, and Jim Van Heusen, just to name a few.  The Horn Ensemble, under the direction of Consortium Instructor of Horn Marc Zyla, will offer works by Grieg, Dvo?ák, and Rimsky-Korsakov.  The Low Brass Ensemble, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Low Brass Ken Steinsultz, will round out the concert with works by Bach, Hans Leo Hassler, and Gershwin.  Both recitals are free and open to the public.

Music Therapy majors Gabriel Kinser and Marjorie Heideman will be presenting the results of their honors’ research projects at the Great Lakes Region of the American Music Therapy Association’s Annual Conference in Columbus, OH, on April 4-6.  Gabriel’s study, “Hip-hop and Rap Music in Music Therapy: Identifying Patterns of and Barriers to Use,” was undertaken in an attempt to learn more about how, when, how much, and by whom hip-hop is used in music therapy and to gather information about the reasons why hip-hop is used infrequently, including the barriers that may prevent or limit the use of hip-hop music in clinical music therapy settings.  Marjorie’s study’s, “The Effect of a Group Music Therapy Voice Protocol on Speech Intelligibility and Vocal Acoustic Measures in Older Adults with Disordered Speech,” was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of a group adaptation of Haneishi’s Music Therapy Voice Protocol (2001) on speech intelligibility, maximum duration of sustained vowel phonation, and pitch range in older adults with disordered speech.  Additionally, Dr. Kathleen Murphy, Assistant Professor of Music Therapy, and senior music therapy students Joanna Calahan, Jessica Handy, and Gabriel Kinser will be presenting a conference session titled “Music Therapy & Co-Occurring Disorders.”

Consortium Instructor of Oboe Dr. Elizabeth Robertson recently attended the College Music Society Great Lakes Regional Conference in Dayton, Ohio, and gave a presentation titled "Generating Interest in Classical Music."  The College Music Society is an international organization of music faculty that promotes music teaching and learning, musical creativity and expression, research and dialogue, and diversity and interdisciplinary interaction.

This Monday and Tuesday, April 1 and 2, Dr. Deepak Srivastava from Nirma University in Ahmedabad, India will be visiting campus. He will be giving two lectures while on campus. The first lecture - bout India's current business environment - is  Monday, April 1, at 4:00 p.m. in Smythe Lecture Hall (Room 170), Schroeder Family School of Business Building.  He will be presenting a second lecture on the Indian health care system, Tuesday, April 2, 9:30 a.m. in Eykamp 251, Ridgway University Center. 

The university community is invited to both lectures.

Dr. Srivastava's visit is sponsored by the Health Services Administration Program and the Public Health Program. 

Elections will be held today, April 1 through Wednesday, April 3 for 2013 Student Government Association President and Vice President and for the Student Trustee for 2013-2016. All fulltime students are eligible to vote. You can access the ballot by logging into AceLink. The ballot will be available from 9am Monday through 5 pm on Wednesday.

The University of Evansville is engaged in a search process to identify an institutional Diversity and Equity Officer (DEO).  The Diversity and Equity Officer will serve as a member of the Office of the President leading and coordinating efforts in all aspects of diversity, inclusion, educational and employment equity, affirmative action, cultural understanding and competency, and civil and human rights.  The successful candidate will work collaboratively with internal and external constituents and will be responsible for advancing diversity and equity as core values essential to the University's educational mission.

Two candidates for the DEO position have been identified and will be visiting our campus in the next three weeks.  The first campus interview is April 1 and 2. The UE community is invited to attend an interview plenary session on Tuesday, April 2, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Smythe Lecture Hall (Room 170), Schroeder Family School of Business Building

. Candidates will offer an initial 15 minute presentation and then receive questions from the audience. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

National Public Health Week is April 1-7. Public Health students along with EXSS Club will be actively promoting good health on our campus. Information will be shared all week through email correspondence and tables during lunch. Join us also for Brazilian dance on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. You may have a chance to win a prize!

The University of Evansville welcomes labyrinth expert and designer, Robert Ferre this Thursday, April 4 at 4:00 p.m. in the Ridgway University Center, Eykamp Hall 251.    Ferre will offer a lecture on the ancient labyrinth and its use in a post-modern global society. All are welcome!

The labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in many cultures around the world. Labyrinths have been found all over the world. The labyrinth design has been found on pottery, tablets and tiles that date as far back as 5000 years. Labyrinths are currently being used world-wide as a way to quiet the mind, recover a balance in life, and encourage meditation, insight, self-reflection, stress reduction, and to discover innovation and celebration. They are open to all people as a cross-cultural blueprint for well-being. The practice of labyrinth walking integrates the body with the mind and the mind with the spirit.

Robert Ferre is a labyrinth consultant and designer and has been a full-time labyrinth maker and president of Labyrinth Enterprises, LLC since 1996. He has designed and built original tools with which to build labyrinths and has introduced new materials and techniques to create labyrinths, especially relating to concrete.

Ferre has authored numerous books and manuals about labyrinths and in 1997 and 1998 he organized labyrinth conferences in St. Louis, MO which led to the founding of the Labyrinth Society, an international organization which continues to grow and serve those who work with labyrinths. Ferre also designed and built the labyrinths in New Harmony, Indiana.
 

The Athletic Training Club will be hosting a dodgeball tournament in the Carson Center large gym on Friday, April 5, beginning at 7:00 pm. Entry fee is only $25 per team of 5. Pre-register your team by emailing aw267@evansville.edu or stop by our table in Ridgway this week. You can also register late at 6:30 on the day of the event

Join PRIDE on April 5 in wearing tie dye to support LGBT awareness. We will have tables set up on April 3, 4, and 5 where you can buy a shirt or make your own!

The TIAA CREF representative will be on the UE campus on Wednesday, April 24 for individual counseling sessions.  To schedule an appointment, call TIAA CREF at 1-800-732-8353 or 317-706-6200.   The sessions are held in the Clifford Rare Books Room of the University Libraries (Room 158).  If you have any questions, call Carol McCraney at extension 2943.

The Office Staff Association will hold the April luncheon on April 9. The venue has been moved to the Koch Center Atrium. Sodexo will be providing box lunches with choice of grilled chicken Caesar salad or a Tijuana sandwich. Chips, jumbo cookie and bottled water are included. Please send your $8.75 to Kim Flener at SB130 or contact her at kf129 or 2852 if you are bringing your own lunch. We will conduct our business meeting during lunch and at 1:00 Dr. Layer will take us on a tour of the Engineering Department. It should be fun and informative!

There are exciting things happening with the International Club and we’re looking for energetic, eager, and committed members to join the executive board. If you are interested in being an active part of positive changes and new ideas, come to an informational meeting Friday, April 5 at 4 pm. in the Gallery on the second floor of Ridgway University Center.  Interviews for the executive board will take place Sunday, April 7 beginning at 4 pm. We challenge you to consider this great leadership opportunity! We need creative, dependable, innovative, artistic, responsible, and/or outgoing students to help make our club successful!  For more information you can email ld101@evansville.edu. 

Come join us for a fun filled afternoon of walking benefiting the March of Dimes. The walk will be held in the large gym in Carson Center pn Sunday, April 7 from 2-7 p.m. Teams need to consist of at least three members and the cost to be on one team is $7 per person. If there are any questions contact Alexandra Wade at Aw280@evansville.edu or Brandon Williams at Bw118@evansville.edu

Delta Sigma Pi is sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, April 4 from noon to 6 p.m. in Eykamp 252/253/254/255 in Ridgway University Center. Walk-ins are welcome and appointments appreciated! To make an appointment call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code 024301. For information on donor eligibility, call 866-236-3276.

The office of Safety & Security will hold its annual Lost and Found Auction on Wednesday April  3. You will be able to view the items in Eykamp 251, Ridgway University Center, from 10 a.m.-3 p. m., on the 3rd. This is a silent auction - all bids are confidential.

All members of the campus and local community are encouraged to attend I-House: Venezuela. Attendees will learn about another culture, lifestyle, food, and so much more. Bring your friends to enjoy the presentation and complimentary cookies this Wednesday at 7 pm. on the second floor of Ridgway University Center in the Class of 1959 Gallery.

The Schroeder School of Business announces an upcoming presentation by Greg Bertles, Virtual Sales Manager at Cisco Systems, and Eloho Okeze, Business Analysis and Reporting Analyst at JP Morgan Chase. Greg and Eloho will be presenting to students and faculty on Thursday, April 4th in SOBA 272, from 4:00pm – 5:30pm. Greg is a master at identifying and explaining what college graduates need to be doing in order to land jobs at top companies and Eloho navigated the tough procedures of international sponsorship requirements and landed a job with a top firm. In addition, Eloho provides students with the skills needed to correspond effectively with top companies.

Faculty are reminded that Summer and Fall adoptions are now due in the UE Bookstore.  With Buyback just 3 weeks away it is important that adoptions are submitted so that students get the most for their books during Book Buyback,  If you have any questions in regard to your adoptions please contact Linda Howard at x2032.

If you plan to bring a paper to the Writing Center in the next few weeks, please remember to schedule your appointment as soon as possible. The center's calendar fills quickly toward the end of a semester. You can schedule your appointment easily on Acelink: http://acelink.evansville.edu>Areas>Writing Center>Create an Appointment. Remember to bring your writing prompt (assignment) with you. And, of course, arrive on time to take full advantage of your 50-minute session with a mentor.

If you are seeking financial aid to help pay for summer courses at UE, please complete a Financial Aid Summer Preliminary Application, available from the Office of Financial Aid. We will help you examine your options for aid, which in most cases is limited to loans.

Jobs are available on-campus for UE students for this summer (must be continuing at UE in the fall semester). You do not need to be eligible for need-based Federal/State Work-study during the academic year in order to apply. Furthermore, you may apply regardless of your enrollment in summer courses. Applications may be obtained at the UE Office of Financial Aid, Olmsted Hall, Room 116. Questions should be directed to Hilary Morales at hm38@evansville.edu

Stop by the Melvin Peterson Gallery to view the 51st annual Student Art Exhibition and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award. Each visitor may cast one vote for his or her favorite piece of artwork, and the student whose piece earns the most votes by the end of the exhibition (Friday, April 5) will be declared the winner and receive a $150 prize.

The Melvin Peterson Gallery is open noon-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, please contact the Department of Art at 812-488-2043.

Family, friends and loved ones of Dr. Marvin E. Hartig are pleased to announce the application process for the Dr. Marvin E. Hartig Memorial Scholarship.  This scholarship is dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. Hartig, Dean of Evansville College’s Evening College in 1967, and administrator for the Center for Advanced Study, director of the Evansville chapter of the American Institute of Banking (AIB), and the international student advisor.  In 1974, Dr. Hartig was appointed Dean of Academic Services.  He retired in 1984 after serving his alma mater for thirty-five years and passed away in 2007.

Applicants must be sophomores in 2013-14 and must show demonstrated financial need on the 2013-14 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Preference will be given to a student working while being enrolled as a full-time student.  

International students are also encouraged to apply and should include in their essay any particular factors impacting their financial need and how the scholarship money will benefit them since international students do not have FAFSA forms on file. 

Applicants must submit the completed application and a typed statement (not to exceed one page), describing themselves, their scholastic and career goals, why they need this scholarship, and how the scholarship proceeds might be used.   

Completed applications are to be sent to the Office of Financial Aid by June 1, 2013.  Decisions will be announced by August 1, 2013.    Applications may be emailed to financialaid@evansville.edu; or JL25@evansville.edu

Biology majors Ashley Rich, Taylor Schoenheit, Taylor Timbrook, and Emmy Ogawa received first place awards in their platform and poster sessions at the regional Math Engineering and Science Conference (MESCON).  Student research undertaken at 13 different universities was presented, and more than 100 participants attended the recent conference.  Drs. Brian Ernsting, Dale Edwards, Noah Gordon, Cris Hochwender and Joyce Stamm served as mentors for research projects presented at the meeting.  In addition, numerous Mathematics, Engineering, and science faculty volunteered their time to help organize the 9th annual regional meeting and to serve as judges.  Special thanks to the local MESCON Program Committee consisting of Drs. Dick Blandford (co-chair), Deborah Hwang (co-chair), Lora Becker, Cris Hochwender, Arlen Kaufman, John Stamm, Cris Tweddle, and Todasopon Thananathanachon.

Dr. Brian St. John, assistant professor of music and Director of Orchestras, has written music for the new video game, Chester’s Lab. The game is available on iPhone and iPad and was released March 24.

Mari Plikuhn, assistant professor of sociology, and juniors Sarah Malik (psychology and sociology double-major) and Sarah Spalding (sociology major) co-authored and presented two papers at the annual meetings of the Midwest Sociological Society on March 28.  The first paper, titled "Struggle and Satisfaction with the Second Shift: Differences between Married and Cohabiting Couples" was also co-authored with Jenna Koschmeder (psychology and sociology double-major).  The second paper, titled "Leading and Succeeding: Collaborating with Undergraduate Student Researchers" was also co-authored with Jenna Koschmeder, Ashlee Niehaus (political science, '12), and Rebecca Reeves (psychology and sociology, '12).

Senior pitcher Sarah Patterson was named the Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week after she came off a 2-0 week against Murray State and conference opponent Wichita State in an announcement made by the league office Monday afternoon.

Patterson had an incredible week in the circle as she held a 0.84 ERA with two shutouts in 16.2 innings of work while notching 12 strikeouts and allowing just two runs. In her win against Wichita State, Patterson had a perfect game in which she did not allow any hits, runs, walks, or any runners on base while facing a minimum amount of hitters at 21.

While leading the Aces so far this season, the Lansing, Mich. Native is 6-5 in the circle and has thrown eight complete games while notching three shutouts and 72 strikeouts in 79.1 innings of work.

Evansville will hit the road to face Southeast Missouri State on Tuesday and UT-Martin on Wednesday in midweek contests that feature doubleheaders beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST.
 

Paige Crafton shot a team-low 79 as the Purple Aces women’s golf squad finished in ninth place at the IPFW Spring Invitational on Monday.

Crafton improved by three strokes over her total of 82 on Sunday to tie for 31st with a 161.  She tied teammate Cathy Doyle, who also notched a 161 on the strength of a 77 and an 84.

After tying for second in the opening round of play, Sydney Skiles carded an 88 in the final round to finish in a tie for 37th.  Dana Hayden recorded a 168 on her way to a finish of 46th while Kelly Lamarche tallied a 175.  Rachel Marchi (93-96) finished the event with a 189.

Indianapolis extended their lead on Monday on their way to the win over Detroit.  Leading by one stroke following the opening day of action, Indy shot an identical 308 on Monday to win by eight shots (616-624). 

Northern Illinois came in third with a 627 while Dayton (628) and SIU Edwardsville (629) rounded out the top five.  Evansville took 9th with a 652.

Jenny Konop from Indianapolis was the top individual as she topped teammate Regan Pittard in a playoff.  Each finished with a 148.  Fellow Greyhound Jaclyn Schindler came in third with a 151.

Next up for the women is a trip to the Indiana Invitational.  Set for Saturday, April 13 and Sunday the 14th, the IU Golf Course will play host to the tournament.

Following a record-setting fall season, the Purple Aces cross country squads took to the track over the weekend, running in the Washington University Invitational in St. Louis.

On the strength of four top finishes in cross country action in the fall, Kelby Jenkins registered a first-place finish in the 10000M with a time of 36:32.22.  Her time set her personal and school marks and was the 2nd best time for a Missouri Valley Conference runner thus far in the 2013 season.

The men’s squad ran in several events in the meet, led by a strong outing by Jon Ashby in the 5000M.  Ashby posted a personal record of 15:11.08 to finished second in his heat and 18th overall.  It marked the 10th best MVC time this season. 

Joining him in the 5000M were Brady Hall and Jimmy Paul.  Hall placed 61st with a time of 15:57.34 while Paul posted a time of 16:22.54.  Paul was the top finisher in his heat while placing 76th overall.  There were 119 runners in the race.

Andrew Barrett ran the 10000M in a time of 32:49.49 to finish second in his heat race and 19th overall out of 46 runners who participated.

UE softball will travel to Southeast Missouri State and UT-Martin for midweek matchups.

The Aces will face SEMO on Tuesday, April 2, in a doubleheader beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST before they travel to Martin, Tenn. to face UT-Martin in a doubleheader on Wednesday, April 3, also beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST.

Evansville is currently 2-0 against SEMO so far this season as they defeated the Redhawks during the UE Tournament in early March. The Aces averaged a .378 batting average and notched 15 RBIs, one home run, two doubles, and went perfect in 9-for- 9 stolen bases against SEMO while outscoring the Redhawks 17-2.

The doubleheader against SEMO can be heard live on the radio at wuev.org beginning at 4:00 p.m. CST.

Scouting the Opponents

Southeast Missouri State (10-18, 3-5 OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE)

SEMO enters this weekend series with a 10-18 record, with wins against Tennessee State and Belmont. Alexis Anderson leads the Redhawks at the hitting position with a .360 batting average and 75 appearances at the plate. While recording four doubles and three home runs on the season, Anderson has tallied 10 runs and notched 11 RBIs. 
Taylor Cowan leads the pitching staff this season with 106.1 innings pitched and a 3.49 ERA. Cowan has struck out 55 and has recorded nine complete games with one save and one shutout for the Redhawks, making her 6-11 on the season.
Scouting the Opponents

UT-Martin Skyhawks (23-9, 7-2 OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE)
UT-Martin enters this weekend series with a 23-9 record, with wins against Austin Peay, Belmont, and Ole Miss. Kenzi Tate provides power at the plate for the Skyhawks with a .354 batting average out of her 96 appearances at bat. While recording six home runs, Tate has notched 30 RBIs, nine doubles, 14 runs, and 11 walks.
Casey Vincent leads the pitching staff with 94.1 innings in the circle while striking out 66 and allowing 28 runs in her 16 appearances. Vincent currently holds a 2.08 ERA and has recorded 11 complete games and one save while going 9-4 on the season.

 

After taking two of three games from Bradley in a Missouri Valley Conference series last weekend, the University of Evansville baseball team will return to the diamond for a pair of non-conference, midweek games Tuesday and Wednesday against UT Martin and Belmont.  The Purple Aces will host the Skyhawks at 6 p.m. Tuesday, before traveling to Nashville, Tenn., for a 6 p.m. game with the Bruins Wednesday.

Evansville (11-16) outscored Bradley, 24-9, in its series win at Bradley last weekend in Peoria, Ill., and posted a .372 batting average in the three-game set.  Junior Jake Mahon led the Aces by going 6-for-11 in the series with three walks for a .643 on-base percentage.  Redshirt junior Nick Hathcoat recorded five this in 11 at-bats and scored a pair of runs, while junior David Patton doubled twice and drove in four runs.  Senior Chris Pearson and redshirt sophomore Kevin Kaczmarski each homered in the series and combined for eight RBI.

UE is hitting .277 as a team this season with 25 doubles, six triples and seven home runs for a .343 slugging percentage.  Evansville is getting on base at a .375 clip and has stolen 23 bases in 36 tries.  Defensively, the Aces boast a .973 fielding percentage.

Mahon leads UE with a .352 batting average and .477 slugging percentage, as the junior infielder has recorded four doubles, two triples and a homer.  Pearson and Kaczmarski are both hitting .315 on the year and are tied for the team lead with two long balls.  Pearson co-leads Evansville with 19 RBI, while Kaczmarski has legged out a team-high seven doubles, driven in 13 runs and is tied for the team lead with six stolen bases.  Redshirt junior Johnny Day has also driven in 19 runs and is hitting .297 with five doubles.

On the mound, UE pitchers have combined for a 4.38 ERA, .278 opposing batting average and 196 strikeouts.  Sophomore Kyle Freeland (3-4) and senior Kyle Lloyd (4-2) both picked up wins for Evansville in the series at Bradley, as Freeland tossed a complete-game shutout in the Aces’ 10-0, seven-inning victory on Friday night.  Lloyd allowed just one run and struck out seven in his 7.2 innings of work in Saturday’s 9-1 win.  Junior lefty Cole Isom, who is slated to start for UE Tuesday against UT Martin, owns a 1-4 record and 5.13 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 26.1 innings.

UT Martin (8-19) was swept last weekend in an Ohio Valley Conference series at Southeast Missouri State, has dropped its last six decisions and has yet to win a road game.  The Skyhawks last win came against Evansville back on March 20, when they defeated the Aces, 8-3, in Martin, Tenn.

UTM is hitting .275 as a team with 55 doubles, a triple and nine home runs for a .369 slugging percentage.  UT Martin has drawn 62 walks for a .332 on-base percentage and has swiped 19 bases in 28 chances.  The Skyhawks have struggled defensively, committing 50 errors in their 27 games for a .949 fielding percentage.

Individually, Byron Johann is hitting .354 with 10 doubles to lead UTM offensively.  Johann has also cleared the fences twice and driven in 16 runs for a team-best .557 slugging percentage.  Three other Skyhawks are hitting over .300, including Wade Collins, who leads the team with three homers, 24 RBI and a .427 on-base percentage to go with his .351 batting average.  Grant Glasser sports a .312 average with six doubles, five stolen bases and 10 RBI, and Phil Sorensen boasts a .302 average with five doubles and a pair of runs driven in.

UTM’s pitching staff has a combined 6.64 ERA, .315 opposing batting average and 205 strikeouts around 118 walks.  Dan Tobik is 1-3 on the year with a 5.25 ERA and 43 strikeouts in his seven starts this season, while Dalton Potts is 3-3 with a 5.52 ERA and has fanned 23 opposing hitters in 29.1 innings.  Chris Ross has been UT Martin’s top option out of the bullpen, as he has appeared in 13 games and owns a 2-1 record with a 3.08 ERA over 26.1 innings.  The Skyhawks are slated to throw John Houston against the Aces, who is 1-4 with a 10.89 ERA, 26 strikeouts, 11 walks and a .412 opposing batting average in 20.2 innings this year.

Belmont (20-6) is currently on a seven-game winning streak after sweeping Morehead State in an Ohio Valley Conference series last weekend in Nashville.  The Bruins outscored the Eagles, 11-5, in the series and shut out MSU in the series opener on Friday.  BU received votes in last week’s National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) poll and is 8-1 in OVC contests.

Belmont is hitting .275 as a team with 38 doubles, six triples and 11 homers for a .373 slugging percentage.  The Bruins have stolen 35 bases in 46 tries this season and own a .398 on-base percentage and .970 fielding percentage.

Jared Breen leads BU with a .358 batting average, ranks third on the team with 15 RBI and is one of four Belmont hitters with an average of .300 or better.  Dom Veltri is second on the squad with a .341 average in his 19 appearances and sports a team-best .508 on-base percentage.  Josh Davis is tied for the team lead with seven doubles, is second on the squad with 19 RBI and boats a .318 average.  Judah Akers has been top power bat in the Bruins’ lineup, as he is slugging .490 with five homers, five doubles, a triple and a team-best 24 RBI.

BU’s pitching staff boasts a combined ERA of 3.00 and is holding opposing hitters to a .249 batting average.  Belmont pitchers have combined for 221 strikeouts, while issuing just 73 walks over 240.1 innings.  Chase Brookshire has been the top starter for the Bruins, as he is 3-1 on the mound with a paltry 1.15 ERA and is limiting opposing hitters to a .193 average.  Brookshire notched 47 strikeouts, while issuing just five walks in his 47.0 innings.  Austin Coley is 4-0 in his seven starts this season and sports a 3.63 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 39.2 innings of work.  Out of the bullpen, Josh Davis has recorded eight saves in his 14 relief appearances and boasts a 0.81 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 22.1 innings on the mound.

Following the pair of midweek games, Evansville will return to MVC play this weekend, when it hosts Southern Illinois for a three-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m.