The University of Evansville has appointed Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz (petra-skev-ich) as the 24th president of the institution.

Pietruszkiewicz, who currently serves as dean and professor of law at Stetson University’s College of Law, was chosen for the position after an exhaustive nationwide search. The presidential search committee was led by UE trustee Sally Rideout, and the Board of Trustees elected Pietruszkiewicz in a formal vote yesterday morning. He will assume his duties on July 1, replacing current UE president Thomas A. Kazee who will retire in May after eight years of service to the University.

“Throughout the process, we were impressed by the pool of candidates interested in serving UE – a group with diverse experiences and backgrounds,” said Rideout. “Pietruszkiewicz’s comprehensive understanding of the overall institutional operation and his successful leadership of taking Stetson’s independently operating College of Law through a time of great change made him stand out. The committee believes his vision and leadership style are a strong match for the University of Evansville and our entire community.”

Pietruszkiewicz has served as dean and professor of law at Stetson University College of Law for six years. The College of Law is geographically located three hours from the undergraduate campus and is autonomous in managing its $40 million annual budget. As dean, Pietruszkiewicz has been closely involved with all faculty, administration, and operations. Under his leadership, Stetson’s College of Law contributed more than 30,000 hours of service to the community, and alumni support has increased by 39 percent.

At Stetson University College of Law, Pietruszkiewicz led through the transformation of the market in which law schools have seen a tremendous downturn in enrollment and many have closed. He was able to right-size the budget to meet lower enrollment targets, maintain admission quality standards, and focus on the right programs to ensure highly employable graduates.

“I am delighted to join the University of Evansville community and look forward to working together with an exceptional faculty and outstanding staff to provide an education of distinction,” Pietruszkiewicz said. “From an international experience ranked number 1 in the country, to 96 percent of students participating in real-world externship experiences, to 94 percent graduating with meaningful jobs or graduate school awaiting them, I am eager to build on the tremendous success of UE. There is so much more we will do together.”

Stetson University is a liberal arts based institution with professional schools and approximately 1000 more undergraduates than UE. Pietruszkiewicz served on the cabinet at Stetson, where they dealt with all undergraduate and graduate school issues.

He began his academic career at George Mason University School of Law, where he was an adjunct professor of law. He joined the faculty of the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2001 and became vice chancellor for business and financial affairs in 2007. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Scranton, a J.D. at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in taxation at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C

Pietruszkiewicz is married to Siobhan (sha-von) Pietruszkiewicz, a licensed clinical worker with over a decade of experience writing and implementing grants for state agencies and local nonprofits. She has taught social work courses at Louisiana State University for undergraduate and graduate students as well as law students. The Pietruszkiewiczs have two children: Ryan, age 12; and John, age 8. 

Read the full press release to learn more about our president-elect. 

The Newman Center welcomes Fr. Christian Raab today at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome and dinner will be provided!  

The ChangeLab group, Yellow Earth, will be hosting a giveback night at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Pearl Drive from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 a.m.! Stop by for some delicious food! 

Come and join Phi Mu for milkshakes, music, and dancing as we jump, jive, and help the kids at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. 

Each staff employee and their guest are invited to attend the Staff Appreciation Dinner at the Log Inn on Wednesday, April 11.  The social hour (cash bar and appetizers) begins at 6:00 p.m. and the dinner will begin at 7:00 p.m. Please join Dr. Kazee in the presentation of staff service awards and for the presentation of the Staff Employee of The Year Award.

Please RSVP to the Office of Human Resources no later than Wednesday, April 4. Feel free to contact Lori LeDuc at ext. 2943 if you have any questions.

Please join us on Wednesday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m. in Neu Chapel as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

There will be a short program of readings and musical selections, followed by a moment of silence at 7:05 p.m. – the precise moment when Dr. King lost his life in Memphis in 1968. This event is free and open to the public. It is being sponsored by the Department of Law, Politics, and Society, the Black Student Union, the Office of the University Chaplain, and the Office of Diversity Initiatives, along with other community partners. Help us to honor this incredible civil rights leader, reflect on his important legacy, and consider ways that we can continue to work toward his dream of equal rights for all people.

Submitted by: Robert Dion, rd35@evansville.edu 

The University of Evansville Theatre Society is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Join in the celebration during the Gilt By Association gala held at the Old National Atrium, 1 Main St., on Friday, April 6.

At 6:30 p.m., enjoy cocktails with music by After Hours and at 7:30 p.m., dinner catered by Just Rennie’s. After dinner, there will be a silent and live auction facilitated by Curran Miller Auction/Realty, which includes the Great White Way Package with a backstage tour and two house seats to Broadway’s “Hamilton: An American Musical,” high tea at The Palm Court at The Plaza, airfare, and a $500 hotel voucher.

The gala is open to both society members and non-members. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Theatre Department office. Non-members tickets cost $125 and member tickets cost $100.

Guests can also purchase a Spotlight Table for $1,200, which includes seating for eight, two bottles of wine, a party favor for each guest, and an individual or business name prominently displayed on the table.

Corporate Presenting Sponsor: Old National Bank.

Corporate Producing Sponsors: Berry Global, Woods Printing, Ligature Creative Group, Total Title Services, 21st Century Healthcare.

For more information on the Gilt by Association gala or the UE Theatre Society, please call 812-488-2747 or visit www.uealumnionline.com/UETSociety50.

Submitted by Sharla Cowden sc75@evansville.edu

UE Orchestra Presents Faculty Soloists
Today - Tuesday, April 3, 7:30 p.m.
Victory Theatre

The University of Evansville Orchestra will present an all-Beethoven concert today - Tuesday, April 3, - at 7:30 pm. The concert will be held at Victory Theatre, located at 600 Main St, Evansville, Indiana. The concert is free and open to the public.

UE faculty soloists Robert Anemone, violin, Kirsten Jermé, cello, and Garnet Ungar, piano, will join the orchestra in the rarely-heard Triple Concerto, following a performance of the Coriolan Overture. The concert will be conducted by UE assistant professor/director of orchestral activities Chun-Ming Chen.

Following the concert, the orchestra will embark on a four-concert tour of high schools in Tennessee.

Student Recitals
Wheeler Concert Hall

April 7, 2:30 p.m., Wheeler – Abbie Jasper-Brown (clarinet)
April 8, 1:00 p.m,.,Wheeler – Madeline Cox (voice) and Darwi Sandleben (voice)
April 8, 2:30 p.m., Wheeler – Taylor Farlin (viola)
April 8, 4:00 p.m., Wheeler – Michelle Nuti

Submitted by James Sullivan js820@evansville.edu

Can you build the biggest and best tower? Come find out at TKE's newest philanthropy, Teke Towers! Compete solo or with a team of friends against the whole University to see who can create the strongest and tallest tower out of the provided materials. All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Teke Towers will take place from 5:00-8:00 p.m. TODAY - April 4 - just across from Chick-fil-A.

Submitted by Kenneth Rusk kr187@evansville.edu

The location of the Andiron Lecture planned for today - Wednesday, April 4 - has been changed to Room 170 (Smythe Lecture Hall), Schroeder School of Business Building. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. with a social gathering with beverage at 3:45 p.m.

The speaker will be Robert Shelby, assistant professor of sociology. His topic will be "Modern American Megachurches – Kaiju Religion?"

Shelby earned his PhD in applied sociology from the University of Louisville. He holds Master of Arts degrees in sociology from Western Illinois University and in communication and culture from Trinity International University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in youth ministry and biblical studies from Trinity International University. He specializes in the sociology of complex organizations, race and ethnic relations, and community organization. His research examines complex organizational structures germane to large Protestant churches. As an applied sociologist, Shelby has conducted program evaluations at prominent multi-sited megachurches. One study determined how “small groups” programming contributed to social cohesion for church attendees at Crossing Church (57th largest church in 2016). Another study consisted of a program process evaluation of a new member program at Southeast Christian Church (10th largest church in 2016).

American megachurches (Protestant Christian Churches with 2,000 attendees) have been compared to for-profit corporations, shopping malls, and even amusement parks. However, other than the dominance of its physical buildings (kaiju) and views on a range of social issues, little is known of its organizational structure. The present research examines the theoretical, empirical, and methodological approach of organizational density dependence theory (i.e., how the density of a population of organizations gains legitimacy, leading to establishment of more of the same, and whether competition curtails growth). Study hypotheses relating to legitimacy and competition effects were mostly unsupported by the findings; megachurch density was a broadly significant predictor. These findings suggest that megachurches operate differently than for-profit businesses. The study results also suggest that modern American megachurches require ongoing research using organizational theories.

For further information, call the series coordinator Annette Parks at 812-488-1070 or the William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences at 812-488-2589.

Submitted by: Cheryl Emmons, ce36@evansville.edu

PurplePalooza is back again! Join SAB on Friday, April 13 from 7:00-11:00 p.m. for an evening full of inflatables, rock climbing, food trucks, a professional beatboxer, UE student musicians, raffle prizes, customizable license plates, and so much more. Free for all UE students and Evansville community members. Come help celebrate UE’s Annual Day of Giving and Greek Week as well as kick off Bike Race weekend with SAB at this event.

Submitted by Megan King mk225@evansville.edu

Come join us on April 8 for an inspired afternoon full of art and food in the Memorial Plaza from 3:00-6:00 p.m.!

Submitted by Lily Renfro lr156@evansville.edu

Art created by UE art students during the 2017-18 academic year will be on exhibit in a juried art exhibition in the Melvin Peterson Gallery until April 7. 

Submitted by Corliss Chastain cc270@evansville.edu 

The topic of the Scholars for Syria's 2018 Spring Speaker Series lecture today - Thursday, April 5 - will be "Immigration and Syria: Foundations and Consequences of the American Ethnic Hierarchy." The lecture begins at 6:00 p.m. in Room 162 in the Schroeder School of Business Building. The event is free and open to the public. The speaker will be UE assistant professor of sociology Rob Shelby.

Shelby will present the idea that Syrian refugees, like many minority groups before, encounter prejudice and discrimination as widespread negative perceptions persist in American social consciousness. Shelby earned his PhD from the University of Louisville in applied sociology, his graduate degrees in sociology from Western Illinois University and communications from Trinity International University. He earned his undergraduate degree in youth ministry and biblical studies from Trinity International University.

The audience will be invited to engage in conversation with Shelby and UE Syrian students in attendance at the lecture.

For more information on the speaker series, contact 812-488-2218.

Robert Griffith, chair of the creative writing program at UE, will be the speaker for the Coffee Hour Lecture on Thursday, October 26, 4:00 p.m., in the Vectren Lecture Hall (Room 100), Koch Center for Engineering and Science. These lectures are free and open to the public.

His most recent book is The Devil in the Milk. Griffith’s book, The Moon from Every Window, was nominated for the 2013 Poets’ Prize, and his book A Matinee in Plato's Cave won the 2009 Best Book of Indiana Award. His work has appeared in PN Review, Poetry, The North American Review, Poems & Plays, The Oxford American, and other publications. He is editor of the journal Measure and director of the University of Evansville Press.

Other lectures in the series include:

Senior Reading
4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11
Eykamp Hall, Room 252, Ridgway University Center
Graduating creative writing majors read their poetry and prose.

For more information, call 812-488-2963.

In response to the Anthony Ray Hinton lecture in October and the Honors Program common read of Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, the Honors Common Read Task Force is conducting a letter writing campaign addressing issues in the legal system on the state level. To open this campaign to the entire campus, the honors students have reserved a table in Ridgway University Center from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on April 3. Pre-written letters have been created for students to sign and materials for sending the letters will be provided. If you feel compelled to partake in this campaign or even just discuss your views on the issues being addressed, then please stop by.

Questions, please contact Evan Barnett at eb232@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Cherie Leonhardt CL29@evansville.edu 

BATS:  Please do not pick-up any Bat and or Bats that may be laying around campus.  Oh yes, they may be cute, but please let nature take its course.  Bats on the average carry the RABIES virus and we would not want anyone to be bitten.  The colder temps right may promote them to fall out of trees or the bat could be sick.  Please stay away!

The 2018-2019 tuition remission forms are now available in the Office of Human Resources. You may also access the forms on the Human Resources page on MyUE at https://bit.ly/2GiJr0i, under the benefits tab.

Please contact the Office of Human Resources at ext. 2943 if you have any questions.

Submitted by Lori LeDuc LL138@evansville.edu

The Columbia Sportswear Company has invited all University of Evansville employees to shop at their exclusive employee store from March 30-April 22. The invitation, which is required to shop, is located on MyUE Human Resources Department  https://bit.ly/2GcdKph  under Employee Discounts. The store hours and address can be found on the invitation. Happy shopping!

Submitted by Lori LeDuc ll138@evansville.edu 

The Master of Public Health program is accepting applications for fall admission. Students may enroll on either a full-time or part-time basis, with a full-time student taking two years to complete the program. Total credit hours required for the master's degree is 44. If you would like more information, contact Payal Patel-Dovlatabadi at pp42@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Payal Patel-Dovlatabadi pp42@evansville.edu

During the period of March 28 through April 11, benefit-eligible employees may enroll or make changes in the University’s health, life, long term disability, and dental insurance, and ACES flexible spending account benefit plans. It is the only chance for benefit-eligible employees to enroll or make changes until the next open enrollment period unless you have a qualifying change in status.

Please review the documents in the Open Enrollment section of the MyUE portal at: https://bit.ly/2GcdKph, beginning with the open enrollment memo, for important announcements, reminders, and changes which will occur June 1 to the University’s benefits. 

We will once again utilize an on-line enrollment process, eliminating all paper enrollment forms for health, life, dental, and long term disability insurance, as well as the ACES flexible spending account. This will ensure the accuracy of your enrollment elections and maintain records electronically regarding your current and future participation.

Enrollment/changes to your TIAA and Emeriti VEBA Trust retirement plan salary deferrals will continue to be processed on paper forms available in the Office of Human Resources. Therefore, you do not need to re-enroll in the TIAA or Emeriti retirement plans.  ALL benefit eligible employees (including those who do not want to make any changes to their current coverage) must enter their elections by April 11. 

Please review the open enrollment memo and On-Line Benefit Enrollment Documents on the HR Area of the MyUE portal, which should answer many of the questions you might have about this system.   

Please contact the Office of Human Resources at ext. 2943 with any questions. 

Are you career/internship ready? Do you have your professional documents in order -  résumé, cover letter? Can you present yourself effectively in your 30-second oral résumé? Are you ready for the all-important interview? EXED 090: Building Your Professional Image will help you be prepared and feel confident in your new professional role. EXED 090 offers six sections for fall 2018; two sections each on Monday through Wednesday evening. Need an extra credit? EXED 090 now has the option of one credit or zero credit. Register today for this informative and all-important course taught by UE alumni professionals.

Submitted by Linda Wulf lw8@evansville.edu 

Graduation will be here very soon. If you still need a cap and gown and/or graduation announcements, please stop by the UE Bookstore to allow yourself time to get everything by graduation. Contact the bookstore for questions.

Submitted by Doug Gustwiller dg57@evansville.edu 

Please return all materials for the 2018-19 Hartig Scholarship to the Office of Financial Aid by May 1. The decision will be announced by July 2.

If you have questions, contact the Office of Financial Aid at 812-488-2364 or financialaid@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Trisha Hawkes th187@evansville.edu 

Completed applications and recommendation letters for the 2018-19 Kahn Scholarship should be returned by April 15. Questions may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid at 812-488-2364, 800-424-8634 or financialaid@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Trisha Hawkes th187@evansville.edu 

Applications for the 2018-19 Margery Florence Kahn Scholarship are now available.

It was the desire of the donor, Margery Florence Kahn, that her scholarship be awarded to "dedicated and conscientious students who exhibit a true passion for their chosen fields of study, and who, in the opinion of the members of the University of Evansville faculty, are likely to bring the same enthusiasm into the performance of their jobs or the practice of the professions which they will pursue following graduation."

All University of Evansville full-time undergraduate students who will be juniors or seniors in 2018-19 may apply. An essay of about 300 words must accompany the application, along with two to five faculty recommendation letters.

Applications are available from the Office of Financial Aid (Olmsted Hall 116).

Completed applications and recommendation letters should be returned to the Office of Financial Aid by April 15.

You may also request application materials by e-mailing financialaid@evansville.edu.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid via e-mail or by phone at 812-488-2364.

Submitted by Trisha Hawkes th187@evansville.edu

If you are seeking financial aid for summer courses at UE, please complete a summer financial aid application and return to the Office of Financial Aid (Olmsted 116). The application will allow our office to determine the types of aid for which you may be eligible.

Work-Study
On-campus jobs are available for continuing UE students during the summer. You do not need to be eligible for need-based Federal Work-Study during the academic year in order to apply. You may also apply regardless of your enrollment in summer courses. Applications are available within the Student Employment area of WebAdvisor.

Submitted by Amy Sowders as560@evansville.edu

Applications are now being accepted for this year’s Dr. Marvin E. Hartig Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is dedicated to the loving memory of 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, Hartig was appointed dean of academic services. He retired in 1984 after serving his alma mater for 35 years and passed away in 2007.

This scholarship is awarded each year to a deserving sophomore. Preference will be given to a student working while being enrolled as a full-time student.

International students are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed application
 
2. In a one page, single spaced, 12 point Verdana font essay, please answer all of these questions:
•What have you learned about yourself as a UE student?
•What do you do for fun when not studying or working?
•Name a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.
•You have done a lot in your short life.  In what areas do you think you can improve?
•What are your scholastic and career goals?
•How did you finance your freshman year and how will you finance your sophomore year?
•Why are you a good candidate to receive this scholarship?
•What have you learned about Dr. Hartig, how does he influence or inspire you, and how will you preserve his legacy as recipient of this scholarship?

Please return all materials to the Office of Financial Aid by May 1. Decision will be announced by July 2.

If you have questions, contact Trisha Hawkes, administrative assistant to the Office of Financial Aid, at financialaid@evansville.edu or 812-488-2364.

Submitted by Trisha Hawkes th187@evansville.edu

Applications for the 2018-19 Margery Florence Kahn Scholarship are now available.

It was the desire of the donor, Margery Florence Kahn, that her scholarship be awarded to "dedicated and conscientious students who exhibit a true passion for their chosen fields of study, and who, in the opinion of the members of the University of Evansville faculty, are likely to bring the same enthusiasm into the performance of their jobs or the practice of the professions which they will pursue following graduation."

All University of Evansville full-time undergraduate students who will be juniors or seniors in 2018-19 may apply. An essay of about 300 words must accompany the application, along with two to five faculty recommendation letters.

Applications are available from the Office of Financial Aid (Olmsted Hall 116). Completed applications and recommendation letters should be returned to the Office of Financial Aid by April 15.

You may also request application materials by e-mailing financialaid@evansville.edu.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid via e-mail or by phone at 812-488-2364.

Submitted by Trisha Hawkes th187@evansville.edu 

Math seniors Keenen Cates, Zeyu Zhang, and Calvin Dailey, and Pengcheng Xiao, assistant professor of mathematics, have had a paper accepted for publication in the Journal of Data Science. This study is an extension work based on math senior seminar project under the supervision of Xiao.

The paper is titled" Can Emoticons be used to predict sentiment? " Getting a machine to understand the meaning of language is a largely important goal to a wide variety of fields, from advertising to entertainment. This work focuses on YouTube comments from the top two hundred trending videos as a source of user text data. Previous Sentiment Analysis Models focus on using hand-labelled data or predetermined lexicons. The goal is to train a model to label comment sentiment with emoticons by training on other user-generated comments containing emoticons. Naive Bayes and Recurrent Neural Network models are both investigated and implemented in this study, and the validation accuracies for Naive Bayes model and Recurrent Neural Network model are found to be .548 and .812.

Congratulations and best wishes to our wonderful math seniors!

The annual Phi Sigma Iota initiation ceremony will be held Sunday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, Rooms 253 and 254, Ridgway University Center. Phi Sigma Iota, the international foreign language honor society, was founded in 1922 at Allegheny College and recognizes outstanding ability in the fields of foreign languages, literature and cultures. The University of Evansville has inducted 176 members since it established the Epsilon Beta Chapter in 2000. This year’s initiates include Rachel Haller and Lauren Perry. Conducting the initiation ceremony will be PSI members Jennifer Riedford and Tatiana Czajkowski and faculty advisor Cindy Crowe. Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Ignacio Benítez from Uruguay will be the featured speaker. This event is open to the public and free of charge.

Lucinda Jane Crowe cc109@evansville.edu

Professor Tiffany Griffith has been asked by the National Endowment for the Arts to serve again as an expert reader of Icelandic for this year’s NEA translation fellowships.

The University of Evansville earned a ninth-place team finish at the D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate following three rounds of competition at Weibring Golf Club in Normal, Ill.

Evansville sat in eighth after the opening day and continued its strong play with a team score of 298 in the final round for a two-day total of 913 (307 - 308 - 298). Capturing the team title was Duke, who finished with a team total of 871 (303 - 284 - 284) to give the Blue Devils a 15-stroke lead over second-place finishing Wisconsin.

After opening the tournament with an 80 in the first round, Tyler Gray returned to form in the final two rounds of competition with a one-under 71 and an even par 72 to close out the tournament. Gray's three-round total of 223 put him a tie for 15th at the finish as Gray finished just six strokes back of the individual medalist.

Freshman Spencer Wagner concluded a successful tournament with a 77 in the final round to give Wagner a total of 227 (74 - 77 - 76), placing him in a tie for 28th. Matthew Ladd was the third-lowest Purple Ace as the sophomore finished the three-round intercollegiate with a total of 232 (74 - 79 - 79) as Ladd finished in a tie for 54th.

Carding one of the best rounds on the final day of competition, Noah Reese made a 14-place jump up into a tie for 61st with a one-under 71 in the final round. Reese's 71 was his low round of 2017-18 so far and the second-lowest round in his collegiate career. Following Reese was Cameron Weyer who concluded the intercollegiate with a 79 in the third round for a total of 242 (82 - 81 - 79) placing him in a tie for 83rd.

Evansville wraps-up regular season action on April 9 and 10 at the Big Blue Intercollegiate at Hermitage Golf Club in Nasvhille, Tenn.
 

In the early spring chill of April in Omaha, the University of Baseball team battled back from an eleven run deficit late, only to come up short, falling to Creighton, 12-7 in the series finale at TD Ameritrade Park Sunday afternoon.

With game time temperatures hovering in the lower to middle 20s, the Purple Aces sent out freshman right hander Jace Burke to face the Blue Jays. Making his first start in two weeks, Burke gave up five runs in four hits and four walks across 2 1/3 innings of work, as UE found themselves in an early 5-1 hole.

"We just didn't come out ready to play on the mound today. I think that was the key," said University of Evansville head coach Wes Carrol. "The elements were very, very challenging. Probably the worst I've ever experienced."

Burke gave way to senior reliever Hunter Porterfield, who's luck wasn't much better, as Creighton touched the southpaw for three runs on four hits in one inning of work out the bullpen, leaving the Aces in an 8-1 deficit. Eventually falling behind 12-1, sophomore reliever Nathan Croner and senior reliever Dalton Horstmeier came in to toss 2 1/3 innings of scoreless work.

Down eleven runs after six frames, Evansville bats erupted in the seventh inning. Junior center fielder, Nate Reeder, substituting for sophomore Kenton Crews, got the ball rolling with an RBI double down the left field line, bringing in junior right fielder Matt Jones, cutting the deficit to 12-2. Sophomore left fielder Troy Beilsmith followed that up with a run-scoring lace to left, tallying Reeder, making it a 12-3 Creighton lead.

The Aces continued their comeback in the eighth inning, loading up the bases, then a wild pitch allowed freshman infielder Cooper Trinkle to race home from third, cutting the deficit to  eight, at 12-4.  Nate Reeder would follow that up with a hot shot to second, that resulted in a throwing error, allowing both sophomore infielder Craig Shepherd and senior catcher Andrew Tanous to tally, cutting the Creighton lead to 12-6. Senior pinch hitter Stewart Nelson capped the four-run uprising with an RBI rip to right, getting UE back within five at 12-7.

"I was really proud of our club", said Carroll. "In winning time, seventh, eighth and ninth inning, we fought and never gave up. We were getting on and off the field each and every inning. I felt like our guys had some quality trips to the plate and were able to scratch a couple of runs across."

However, the Purple Aces would draw no closer, going down in order in the ninth.

Evansville drops to 6-15 on the season. Creighton improves to 16-6.

"This weekend, we had a chance to win two out of three", said Carroll. "Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to capitalize on the opportunity. But going into Valley play, similar to last year, we played better and better as opposed to non-conference. Hopefully our guys are ready to go next week at Missouri State.

However before the trip to Springfield, the Aces have a mid-week non-conference tilt on the road at Murray State in Kentucky Wednesday night. 

A 5-run third inning spearheaded a 7-1 victory for the University of Evansville softball team over Loyola to clinch the series on Saturday afternoon.

“We talked a lot yesterday after the second game about our offensive game plan with an emphasis of sticking with it and executing,” Purple Aces head coach Mat Mundell explained.  “We came out and did it today.  I was really proud of our approach at the plate.  Any time you can take a road series, it is big.”

Evansville has now won four out of five games after an 0-3 start to Missouri Valley Conference play.  The Aces sit at 11-19 and 4-4 in the league going into a Thursday road tilt at Butler and a weekend home series versus Missouri State.

In the first inning, the Aces got on the board when a Lindsay Renneisen single plated Mea Adams.  After Loyola tied it up, the Aces turned the game around with a big third inning.

Five runs came home for UE, all with two outs.  Renneisen got it started with a single before coming home on a Morgan Florey double.  Next up was McKenzie Johnson, who delivered a 2-run home run.  Evansville added four more hits in the frame with Bailee Bostic, Bailee Porter, Adams and Brittany Hay all helping to put together the 5-run inning.

One more run scored late in the contest as the Aces clinched the 7-1 win.  Florey had another stellar day in the circle.  In another seven inning performance, Florey allowed just four hits.  She has won four games over the last two weekends of action.

Sophomore reliever-turned-starter Adam Lukas delivered his second straight lights-out performance, but it wasn't enough, as the University of Evansville baseball team was edged by Creighton University, 2-1, in Omaha Friday night.

Lukas, making his second start out of the bullpen, came out strong for the Purple Aces, striking out four through his first three innings of work. However, his Blue Jay counterpart, Ryan Tapani matched him throughout a scoreless first three frames, as the game settled in the pitchers duel.

In the fourth inning, sophomore outfielder Troy Beilsmith got hit by a Tapani pitch to lead off the frame. A Sam Troyer sacrifice bunt to first moved Beilsmith into scoring position with one out. However, Tapani bounced back to strike out freshman designated hitter Tanner Craig, putting the rally in jeopardy. Then, sophomore center fielder Kenton Crews delivered a clutch two out single to left, tallying Beilsmith for the opening tally of the game.

Lukas proceeded to dodge disaster through the next two frames, getting out of jams in the fourth and fifth frames, as Evansville maintained it's slender 1-0 frame.

However, the sixth inning was another matter, as a one-out walk and a steal put Creighton's Will Robertson on second with one out. Lukas came back with a strikeout and appeared to be on the verge of getting out of another jam, when Ryan Mantle lifted a fly to shallow left that just eluded a diving Troy Beilsmith, allowing Robertson to tally the equalizer, making it 1-1 after six innings.

Lukas' night would stop the bleeding and his night would end after six innings. His final line was another impressive one, allowing one run on on four hits and four walks, while striking out five.

Senior hurler Jimmy Ward would take over to start the seventh, and after striking out the first batter he faced, Parker Upton lifted a double to the gap in left-center, which would quickly end Ward's night, as he gave way to Ryan Brady. One out away from preventing the go-ahead run from scoring, Isaac Collins sent a hot shot second that senior second baseman couldn't handle. The ensuing error allowed Upton to score, making it 2-1 Blue Jays.

That's all Creighton could manage on the night, but it was enough, as the Aces went quietly in th eighth and ninth frames, as Ward was the touch luck loser, while Tapani, who went 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five, picked up the win, improving to 5-0. UE fell to 6-13 on the season. The Blue Jays improved to 14-6 on the year.
 

Sophomore reliever-turned-starter Adam Lukas delivered his second straight lights-out performance, but it wasn't enough, as the University of Evansville baseball team was edged by Creighton University, 2-1, in Omaha Friday night.

Lukas, making his second start out of the bullpen, came out strong for the Purple Aces, striking out four through his first three innings of work. However, his Blue Jay counterpart, Ryan Tapani matched him throughout a scoreless first three frames, as the game settled in the pitchers duel.

In the fourth inning, sophomore outfielder Troy Beilsmith got hit by a Tapani pitch to lead off the frame. A Sam Troyer sacrifice bunt to first moved Beilsmith into scoring position with one out. However, Tapani bounced back to strike out freshman designated hitter Tanner Craig, putting the rally in jeopardy. Then, sophomore center fielder Kenton Crews delivered a clutch two out single to left, tallying Beilsmith for the opening tally of the game.

Lukas proceeded to dodge disaster through the next two frames, getting out of jams in the fourth and fifth frames, as Evansville maintained it's slender 1-0 frame.

However, the sixth inning was another matter, as a one-out walk and a steal put Creighton's Will Robertson on second with one out. Lukas came back with a strikeout and appeared to be on the verge of getting out of another jam, when Ryan Mantle lifted a fly to shallow left that just eluded a diving Troy Beilsmith, allowing Robertson to tally the equalizer, making it 1-1 after six innings.

Lukas' night would stop the bleeding and his night would end after six innings. His final line was another impressive one, allowing one run on on four hits and four walks, while striking out five.

Senior hurler Jimmy Ward would take over to start the seventh, and after striking out the first batter he faced, Parker Upton lifted a double to the gap in left-center, which would quickly end Ward's night, as he gave way to Ryan Brady. One out away from preventing the go-ahead run from scoring, Isaac Collins sent a hot shot second that senior second baseman couldn't handle. The ensuing error allowed Upton to score, making it 2-1 Blue Jays.

That's all Creighton could manage on the night, but it was enough, as the Aces went quietly in th eighth and ninth frames, as Ward was the touch luck loser, while Tapani, who went 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five, picked up the win, improving to 5-0. UE fell to 6-13 on the season. The Blue Jays improved to 14-6 on the year.
 

Day one at Loyola saw the University of Evansville softball team split a doubleheader against the Ramblers.  UE took game one, 4-3, before Loyola shut out Evansville in game two by a 2-0 final.

The teams will play the rubber match on Saturday at a new time – 12 p.m.  The game was pushed back an hour due to weather.  Box scores from today are not available at this time.

“I thought we did a good job attacking our pitches in game one, but we really played into what Loyola wanted in the second game,” UE head coach Mat Mundell said.  “Our pitchers threw great all day and we were able to make some nice plays defensively.”

Morgan Florey was the star in game one, tossing seven innings.  She gave up three runs, two earned, on just two hits.  Florey struck out 13 Rambler batters in the effort.  She also contributed offensively.  With the Ramblers up 1-0 in the top of the fourth, her 2-run double gave Evansville the lead for good.

Brittany Hay added some insurance in the top of the fifth, notching her second home run in as many weekends.  A 2-run shot gave the Purple Aces some insurance, extending the lead to 4-1.  Those runs would be important as LUC got within one in the seventh, but Florey buckled down to clinch the 4-3 win.

Loyola rode the arm of Kiley Jones to a 2-0 win in game two.  Jones allowed just two UE hits in the contest while the offense for the Ramblers supplied a pair of solo home runs.

McKenzie Johnson and Hay picked up the hits for UE.