The Eykamp Center for Teaching Excellence offers certificates to faculty members who meet the requirements of engagement and participation in ECTE sponsored events.

Congratulations to the following faculty who earned a certificate or award for the 2020-2021 academic year, demonstrating exceptional dedication to pedagogy.

New Faculty Engagement Certificate:
Michele Ardigo
Melissa Fitch
Omid Khormali

Teaching Development Certificate:
Lisa Hale
Kristina Hochwender
Alison Jones
Demian Kogutek
Diana Rodríguez Quevedo

Leadership in Teaching Excellence Award:
Awarded annually to one faculty member demonstrating exceptional dedication to pedagogy through ECTE activities.
Lisa Hale

Currently, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has identified the following Indiana residents as eligible to receive the COVID vaccine:

• Healthcare Workers
• First Responders
• Teachers and school staff in pre-K through high school, child care centers, Head Start and Early Start programs
• Licensed childcare providers, including center-based and family care providers
• Age 16 and above
• Specific groups of patients at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 who are identified by their healthcare provider are also eligible. These individuals will receive a unique registration link by text or email.

We will keep our patients updated as eligibility and administration sites broaden. Although currently there is no cost to patients for the vaccine, insurance information will be collected.

Vaccine Scheduling

The COVID-19 vaccine is available by appointment only. No walk-ins will be permitted. Once listed as eligible by the ISDH, go to www.ourshot.in.gov or by calling 211 or 1-866-211-9966 to schedule an appointment.

Detailed instructions

• Go to www.ourshot.in.gov
• Enter date of birth and attest to being over age 16
• Enter zip code and Select Ascension St Vincent Vaccine Clinic location
• Select appointment date and time
• Complete demographic information including accurate date of birth
• Confirm appointment

Ascension St Vincent Vaccine Clinic

For your convenience, the Ascension St. Vincent Vaccine Clinic is open 7 days a week and located on the hospital campus in the Manor Auditorium. When scheduling an appointment on the state website, select “Ascension St Vincent Evansville VAX” as site location. Directions: Enter the parking garage off of Bellemeade Avenue, immediately turn left and follow the directional signage to the designated vaccine clinic parking area. Patients should enter the clinic using the doors adjacent to the parking garage. Tri State Clinics patients are encouraged to call our office at 1-888-492-8722 with questions or for assistance with scheduling at the Ascension St. Vincent Vaccine Clinic.

Spencer County Residents

Spencer County Local Health Department
Heritage Hills High School

Perry County Residents

Perry County Local Health Department
Perry County Memorial Hospital

Posey County Residents

Posey County Local Health Department

Illinois Residents

Phase 1A: Healthcare workers, those in long term care facilities.
Phase 1B : Frontline essential workers, residents 65 years of age or older and under 65 with comorbidities.
Phase 1B+ : IL residents 16+ with disabilities or serious medical conditions. Higher education staff, gov workers, and media. Details and scheduling info at: https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/.

Kentucky Residents

Phase 1a: Long term care facilities, healthcare personnel
Phase 1b: First responders, anyone 70 or older, K-12 school personnel
Phase 1C : KY residents age 60+ AND 16 and older with serious medical conditions and essential workers
For locations and to schedule appointment go to: https://govstatus.egov.com/kentucky-vaccine-map or call the KY COVID-19 Hotline - (800) 722-5725 for more information.

Should you have any additional questions, please contact Ashley Chipps at ashley.chipps@ascension.org or Stacey Smith at stacey.smith1@ascension.org

Free off-site paper shredding by Piranha Mobile Shredding will return to campus once again April 30 (Reading Study Day) from 9:00 a.m.-noon. All UE students, faculty, staff, and alumni can take advantage of this free service by bringing paper to the Piranha truck in Koch Center for Engineering and Science parking lot. Paper will be shredded off-site. We will place bins along the parking lot to allow each person to empty their own material for a no contact approach.

So, if mounds of paper are taking over your office, home, or room, this is the time to gather those old files, receipts, cancelled checks, tax forms, etc. No need to take out the staples or paper clips. Avoid identity theft by having confidential information permanently destroyed.

Please - no telephone books, magazines, or newspapers. Also, please note that there is a 100-pound paper limit per visit (number of visits is not limited).

Local Artist Paints to Heal

Lori Rivera finds that the world nearly disappears when she paints, and she is deeply drawn into the meditative aspects of painting. She loves the healing benefits that painting provides, as she struggles with depression.

At any given time, Lori has a painting in progress on her painting wall in her home studio. Although her roots are in representational painting, she has recently decided to devote the majority of her time to growing as an abstract artist. She sees abstract art as the most fitting genre that allows her to communicate her emotions.

She usually starts with dark colors and then works up to lighter colors in the final layers. She feels this process is symbolic of rising from the darkness of depression and signifies her triumph over it. “As I go through this process with each painting, I am reminded of where I’ve been and how far I’ve come,” says Lori.

She started painting over ten years ago, but her interest in pursuing art as a career was reawakened when she was inspired by artists at Peace Zone, where she served as Executive Director. While working, she painted in her spare time and decided to pursue art full time several years ago.

Lori’s most recent project is creating paintings inspired by music, and she often listens to the music on repeat as she paints. She focuses on how the music makes her feel and communicates that feeling onto the canvas. Sometimes the music matches her mood, while other times the music she chooses is totally opposite of what she is feeling. Ultimately though, she relies on spontaneity and allows each painting to develop organically as each brushstroke guides the next.

Her work has been shown in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Harmony, and Evansville. You can see her work in person at the University of Evansville’s Krannert Gallery April 11th through May 9th. The exhibit, Becoming Centered, overlaps with Mental Health Month, which is during the month of May. The opening reception is April 22nd at 6:30 pm.

The Department of Art at UE offers a wide range of degree programs and areas of specialization in the visual arts. It houses a number of specialized studios for ceramics, drawing, metalwork and jewelry, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, visual communication design, and watercolor. The Krannert and Peterson Galleries are also a vital resource for the students, as well as the Evansville area.

Students can receive BFA, BA & BS degrees in a variety of Art Studies: Studio Art, Art and

Associate Studies, Art Education, Visual Communication Design and Pre-Art Therapy. This exhibition is sponsored by the Department of Art with the generous support of the Efroymson Family Fund. The Krannert Gallery is located on the first floor of Krannert Hall of Art & Music.

Please visit the UE website www.evansville.edu/majors/art/majors.cfm

Or FaceBook Page: University of Evansville Department of Art & Melvin Peterson Gallery

For more information about Lori and her art, visit www.loririverafineart.com.

These stunning, abstract paintings can be seen in the Krannert Gallery April 11 – May 9

A public Reception for the Artist is April 22, 6:30pm. Masks & Social Distancing will be observed.

Looking for extra summer income? Student Financial Services is looking for a summer student worker. Clerical assistant position available for an undergraduate student enrolled full time for the fall 2021 semester. Position is 28 hours per week and entails general office tasks, no experience needed. See job posting on Webadvisor to apply.

Dr. Angie Wooton, Melissa Rea, Dr. Joni McFelea, and Joan Fedor-Bassemier presented an interprofessional research project on, "Interprofessional Communication and Teamwork," at the University of Southern Indiana Research and Evidence-
Based Practice Performance Improvement Conference on April 22, 2021. This project focused on effective communication and teamwork between Nursing and Physical Therapy Assistant students. Implications for healthcare professionals included interprofessional simulation experiences can reduce faculty workload and improve communication between disciplines. 

Do you want to play a role in welcoming our newest Aces to the University of Evansville family? We are seeking volunteers to place Proud Ace signs in the yards of our incoming freshman class. We have students in Evansville, Newburgh, Boonville, Mt. Vernon, Vincennes, Petersburg, and other nearby cities.

If you would like to help with this fun task, please contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations to arrange for sign pick up and a list of addresses. We will provide you with talking points in case you bump into a new Ace or an Ace's family member. And don't forget to wear your purple when delivering!

The alumni office can be reached at 812-488-2586 OR alumni@evansville.edu.
 

Did you know that the Vanderburgh District contracts with C&I Electronics to conduct a spring electronic recycling drop-off at C&I Electronics, 1700 N. Lafayette Ave, Evansville. The 2021 spring electronic recycling days are on April 29 & 30 from 10–4 pm and May 1 from 8–12 pm. More information is available at https://www.evansvillegov.org/city/department/division.php?structureid=258

During the spring 2021 recycling days, a variety of electronic materials will be accepted at no charge. The items will include, but are not limited to computers and computer related equipment, laptops, printers, scanners, TVs, DVD players, DVR devices, digital cameras and fax machines.

Copy machines and appliances, including microwaves, will not be accepted. This program is for Vanderburgh County households only. Items from businesses will not be accepted.

Effectively immediately, the University of Evansville will transition to an online Leave Request Form Beginning May 3, 2021, any old leave request forms received will be sent back to the employee so that they can submit the new form.

Any paper leave requests made previously will still be processed and do not need to be resubmitted in the new form. Paper forms and emailed forms will not be accepted after April 30, 2021.

Employees who request vacation or sick time will need to complete the new online Leave Request Form. Please be sure to include your supervisor’s name and UE email address for their review. Once you submit your request, the form will go to your supervisor for their approval.

Supervisors should ensure the Leave Request Form has been completed properly by the employee before approving the request. To approve the leave request, simply click approved and submit.

This form can also be found in the MyUE portal under Human Resources Vacation and Other Leave forms.2021-04-0134-A2021-04-0134-A

Effective Monday, April 19, Distribution Services will resume their daily delivery schedule of five days a week. Please note that due to vacation schedules, there may be days when Distribution Services may be closed (9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.) during daily deliveries.

Please continue to communicate via email to distributionservices@evansville.edu any days that your area may not have staff available to accept daily deliveries. Distribution Services will hold your deliveries until staff are available. We appreciate your help in reducing unnecessary deliveries and keeping the operation closure time to a minimum.  

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Office of Institutional Equity are providing multiple opportunities for members of the campus community to get involved and stand up against sexual violence.

Sign the University’s Pledge to Get Consent. The University of Evansville defines consent as “a voluntary, informed and freely-given agreement, communicated though mutually-understandable words and/or actions , to engage in agreed-upon Sexual Contact, Sexual Intercourse, Sexual Exploitation, or other sexual activity.” By participating in this pledge, you are agreeing to make sure all of your sexual encounters are fully consensual. Sign the Pledge here: https://www.evansville.edu/center-for-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/pledge-to-get-consent.cfm. The link is live for the entire month of April; the student group or team with the most pledges will be featured on the Center’s social media pages.

On Monday, April 26th; join us for Bystander Intervention Training from 6-7pm. CDEI intern Katie Vinci, who is trained through It’s On Us to provide bystander training will take us through steps on how to appropriately and safely intervene when you witness someone being harassed. Register for the Zoom training here: https://evansville-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEsce-hrzMvGtJ3eCXJTs4ipkcK58wbNXbi.

On Tuesday the 27th, the Center has partnered with the Students for Gender Violence Awareness at USI to bring nationally renowned speaker Vankayla Haynes for a Zoom presentation. Haynes will be speaking about sexual assault and marginalized communities. The presentation runs from 6-7pm and can found here: https://usi.zoom.us/j/99201657102.

Wednesday, April 28th is Denim Day. Wear denim in support of survivors of sexual violence and to bring awareness to sexual assault.

On Thursday the 29th, join us as we speak to a panel of experts in the UE and Evansville community about sexual assault on college campus and the resources available to individuals who have experienced an assault. Join individuals from Institutional Equity, Counseling Services, Public Safety, Albion Fellows Bacon Center, the Prosecutor’s Office, Evansville Police Department, and Deaconess Hospital as they discuss sexual assault. Register for the panel here: https://evansville-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYvdOmqpzwtGN3_elA-Ul7RdMLE0UDPZG8H.

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 2021-22 may apply. An essay of about 300 words must accompany the application, along with two to four faculty recommendation letters.

Application is available here: https://forms.office.com/r/8vduXcKZXa

Completed applications and recommendation letters should be returned to the Office of Student Financial Services by MAY 10th.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services via email or by phone at (812) 488-2364

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Do your part to reduce instances of sexual violence by taking the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's pledge against sexual violence. Pledge to always get consent from your partners, be an active bystander in dangerous situations, and to help UE create a safe campus environment.

Sign the pledge.

Encourage your student groups to participate in the pledge. The Student group with the most pledges by April 30th will be featured on the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's social media pages (Instagram: @uediversity, Facebook: UE Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).

The month of April highlights Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Religious Exploration Month. Join the UE SAAM/REM Challenge sponsored by the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion! In this challenge you will find 30 ways for 30 days of religious exploration and sexual assault awarness to actively learn, engage, support, communicate with individuals across the religion spectrum and survivors of sexual assault, while also breaking the stigma surrounding religion and sexual assault awareness. Items listed in the challenge can be done personally or in a social group! Join the Center in one of our many events for the month focused on religion or sexual assault awareness, research the origins and culture of Denim Day and/ or grab a friend and reflect about what religion means to you. However and whatever you do for the #SAAM/REMChallenge, challenge yourself!

We can't wait to see the ways in which you all #SAAM/REMChallenge yourself!

To make it extra fun, share what you're doing on social media and be sure to tag us!

Instagram: @uediversity Facebook: UE Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Religious Exploration Month Task List

• Watch a documentary on sexual assault and have an open discussion
• Engage in productive discussions about consent and its importance in the campus environment
• Sign the consent pledge hosted by the CDEI
• Learn about UE’s Title IX policy and locate the Title ix officer on campus
• Host a trivia night on sexual assault resources (Resources available at WCSAP.org)
• Donate/volunteer/ support a charity aimed at raising sexual assault awareness Ex. Albion
• Uplift survivors of sexual assault by breaking the stigma and starting the conversation
• Research and learn about the spectrum of sexual assault
• Learn about local resources available to survivors of sexual assault
• Learn about the significance of Denim Day
• Learn about the common misconceptions and realities surrounding the prevalence of sexual assault
• Call out and have discussions about bad behaviors in people you know
• Research the way in which sexual assault affects people of different identities
• Break the stigma surrounding men identifying surviorvs of sexual assault by having open conversations
• Attend Sexual Assault Awareness Week events on campus
• Visit New Chapel on UE Campus
• Read a biography or autobiography of an influential religious figure
• Learn about the various religious holidays
• Research UE’s commitment to religious enlightenment/education
• Donate/volunteer for a religious affiliated charity
• Host/participate in a trivia on world religions
• Try practicing silence through meditation and spending time outdoors to appreciate nature
• Visit online museums to celebrate/appreciate religious art
• Learn about different religious origin stories
• Reflect on your personal biases towards other religions
• Research different important/famous religious cites/monuments around the world
• Visit the Candles Holocaust Museum & Education Center
• Learn about current issues/ stereotypes surrounding different religious societies
• Participate in center for DEI events for Religious Exploration month
• Talk to others about your personal experiences with religion and learn about theirs

UPDATE: The scholarship deadline has been extended to Friday, May 7.

Family, friends and loved ones of the late 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.

This scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving sophomore student. Preference will be given to a student working while being enrolled as a full-time student. International students are encouraged to apply.

Eligible students for the 2021-2022 Hartig Memorial Scholarship will be sophomores in the 2021-2022 academic year.

Download the 2021-22 Dr. Marvin E. Hartig Memorial Scholarship application.

Deadline: Please return all materials to the Office of Student Financial Services by April 23, 2021. The decision will be announced by June 14, 2021.

Questions: Amanda Wood, administrative assistant to the Office of Student Financial Services, at aw505@evansville.edu or 812-488-2364

Congratulations to those students who completed the ACE Pathway earning the ACE Certificate!

Kalli Britton, Selena Carpenter, Sullivan Cox, Lyndia Hayes, Zachary Jakpor, Victoria Martin, Malia Metelues, Kara Steward, Alexis Wheeler, and Jialin Xiang
The ACE Pathway is a guided checklist for students in preparation for career-readiness. And, the ACE Certificate is awarded to those students completing each element in the categories of self-evaluation, communication and professional image development, and engagement and connection.

The ACE Pathway is open to all current students and can be accessed via Blackboard: COURSES (ACE Pathway): Request to Join. This 0-credit course will remain open until graduation allowing students to complete each element at their own pace. Step-by-step guidance is provided for creating a professional resume, cover letter, preparing for mock interviews, and so much more. Join anytime to be career ready!

All our ACE Certificate recipients will also be recognized at the 2021 Leadership Awards Ceremony!

Questions? Contact the Center for Career Development at 812-488-1083 or Kelly Bargeloh (kb396).

The University extends its sympathy to Dr. Amy McBride, Associate Professor in the School of Education, in the death of her father, Richard (Dick) L. McBride. Dick studied at the University of Missouri where he was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity and a lifelong member of the Alumni Association. He proudly served in the ROTC and the US Navy. At the age of 30, he started Abild Construction Company and continued until his retirement in 1999. His motto was to provide honest and reliable service to his customers. Dick was a member of ElKahir Shrine, the Masonic Lodge, the Royal Order of Jesters, Scottish Rite, Rotary Club, and the Elmcrest and Kensington Country Clubs where he served in various leadership roles including the Board of Governors, Executive Board, and President. He was an avid golfer, world traveler, boater, and enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. A celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, May 6 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Naples, FL.

Following a rainout on Saturday, the University of Evansville softball team battled Illinois State on Sunday at Cooper Stadium.

The Redbirds (27-6, 13-2 MVC) swept the doubleheader, finishing the opener with a 1-0 win before sweeping UE (19-19, 7-12 MVC) with a 9-0 win in the second contest.

Game 1
Jaime Nurrenbern had a strong start, limiting the Redbirds to just one hit through the first three innings.  Hannah Hood played a large role in the third, ending the inning with a diving catch to keep ISU off the board.  Jessica Fehr picked up UE’s first hit of the game in the fourth, but the game remained scoreless.

That changed in the top of the sixth when ISU posted its second hit of the game before executing a double steal to put runners on second and third with two outs.  In a unique play, Andrea Coursey hit into a fielder’s choice.  The runner on third crossed the plate before the out was recorded, resulting in ISU taking a 1-0 lead.  That is where the final would land with Redbird starter Morgan Day finishing the complete game with 11 strikeouts and one hit.  Evansville saw Nurrenbern throw the best game of her career, allowing two hits in seven frames.

Game 2
Following a pitcher’s duel in the opener, Illinois State opened the second contest with a 5-run first inning.  Included in the run tally was a 2-run shot by Jayden Standish.  The Redbirds plated two more runs in the second to extend the lead to 7-0.  UE’s first baserunner came in the bottom half of the second when Marah Wood reached on a walk.

Haley Woolf and Lindsay Renneisen broke through with the Aces first two hits in the third but could not send the first run across the plate.  Another home run for the Redbirds highlighted a 2-run fourth frame as they pushed their advantage to nine runs.  Alyssa Barela opened the bottom of the fifth with a walk, but once again, the Aces were kept off the board with pitcher Mack Leonard finishing the 2-hit shutout and a 9-0 ISU victory.

On Wednesday, UE makes the trip north on Highway 41 to Terre Haute for a single game against Indiana State at 3 p.m. CT.

Tasked with making his first start as an Ace, Zac Cummins pitched well to keep the Aces in the game, but limited offense doomed Evansville in a 3-1 loss in Sunday's series finale at Duffy Bass Field in Normal, Ill.

"Offense couldn't provide enough on the 4th game of the weekend. Zac Cummins did a great job in his first start of the season to give us a chance," said Aces head baseball coach Wes Carroll. "Illinois State didn't give us a lot of freebies over the last 3 games and our offense just couldn't create any momentum after Friday's game."

The aforementioned Cummins pitched four innings, allowing just one run on two hits, striking-out a pair, limiting the Redbirds advantage to just one midway through.

Evansville's offense generated eight hits on the day, but left eight runners on base, some coming in critical opportunities. The Aces left runners on the corners with two outs in the fourth, two runners on in the seventh, and got a leadoff double by Robbie Wilkes in the eighth, but went down in order to follow.

Jace Kressin continued the strong day on the mound for the Aces, pitching the fifth, allowing a hit and nothing else. In the sixth, the Redbirds increased their lead with a pair of runs to move in front 3-0.

It was Evansville's pitching who again helped keep the game close as Jakob Meyer looked strong with a two-inning outing in the seventh and eighth, allowing one base runner on a walk and striking-out two.

A resilient ball club all season, Evansville had one last word in the ninth inning. Mark Shallenberger, who concluded the weekend with a team-best .533 average in the series, walked to open the inning. Danny Borgstrom followed with a base-hit to center. Still with no outs, Tanner Craig snuck a double down the left-field line, scoring Shallenberger to trim the Redbirds lead to 3-1. The tying run standing on second base for Evansville with no outs, Illinois State made a change on the mound, bringing in Derek Salata. The Illinois State reliever ended the Aces threat, inducing a pop-out and getting back-to-back strikeouts to earn the Redbirds the 3-1 win.

Evansville returns to German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium next weekend for a four-game set with Conference-leading Dallas Baptist on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Evansville.

Dominating at the plate, Mark Shallenberger led the way for the Aces offense as Evansville fell in a pair of narrow defeats in a doubleheader Saturday at Duffy Bass Field in Normal, Ill.

"Tough day for us, especially after such a well-played game last night," said Aces head baseball coach Wes Carroll. "We competed, but couldn't get a win in either game. Big day tomorrow to salvage a split. Going to need some people to step up."

Shallenberger went six-for-eight at the plate, recording 11 total bases and five RBI on the afternoon. Tanner Craig's day was not far off of Shallenberger's as the Austin, Ind. native went four-for-seven in the Saturday twin-bill.

Game One: Illinois State 6, Evansville 3

Illinois State struck early in the first game on Saturday after rain delayed the start of the game by an hour. The Redbirds tallied four runs inside the first three innings, a run total Evansville attempted to overcome, but in the end, could not.

The Aces looked to claw back into the contest, recording single runs in the fourth and sixth innings to halve the Redbirds advantage. In the fourth, Craig drove a single into left that scored Troy Beilsmith. Later, in the sixth inning, Shallenberger mirrored Craig, sending a single to center, scoring Danny Borgstrom.

With Evansville looking to head into the seventh with just a two-run deficit, Illinois State manufactured two more runs in the sixth, up-ing its lead back to four at 6-2. Evansville did not go away quietly, which proved to be a theme for the day, as Beilsmith notched his first triple of the season to score Evan Kahre, but the Aces could not muster any more runs in the 6-3 loss.

Caleb Reinhardt was credited with the loss in game one, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing six runs and striking-out three.

Game Two: Illinois State 8, Evansville 7

Saturday's second contest unfolded similarly to the first game of the day as Illinois State captured a 5-0 lead after the third inning. Unlike the earlier contest, Evansville's offense exploded in the fourth and fifth innings.

The Aces got on the board in the fourth on an RBI double by Shallenberger, scoring Craig. In the fifth, Evansville put a pair of runners on and capitalized on it as Kenton Crews scored on a passed ball. Simon Scherry then doubled to left, scoring Beilsmith and making it a two-run game.  After Borgstrom joined Scherry on the basepath, Shallenberger delivered in a big way as the St. Louis native blasted a three-run shot to right center, handing Evansville its first lead of the day.

As was true much of the day, each Evansville effort was matched by the Redbirds. Illinois State retook the lead in the bottom half of the fifth with two RBI singles and solidifed its lead with a solo home run in the seventh.

In the ninth, the Aces continued to showcase their resiliency as Craig tallied his second RBI of the day, sending Scherry home. With two outs, Brent Widder drew a walk, putting the go-ahead run on first, but Illinois State got a fly out to secure the 8-7 win.

Jake McMahill made the start on the mound for Evansville, going three innings, allowing five runs, but did not receive a decision after the Aces went in front in the fifth. Eric Roberts was credited with his first loss of the season, going 2.0 innings, and allowing a pair of runs.

Aiding Evansville down the stretch, Drew Dominik came in and continued his strong spring, pitching 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit and recording a strikeout.

Evansville and Illinois State close-out their four-game series on Sunday at 1 PM in Normal, Ill.

Exploding for seven runs in the first inning, Evansville cruised to a dominating, 12-0 victory over Illinois State in Friday afternoon's series opener at Duffy Bass Field in Normal, Ill.

"Great way to start the weekend with our offense making a statement," said Aces head baseball coach Wes Carroll on the convincing win. "Shane Gray was outstanding but our offense really did a great job against a very good pitcher."

Eight Aces batters recorded a hit on the day with Ben Komonosky and Simon Scherry leading the way with three hits a piece. Komonosky tied for the game-high with two RBI along with Brent Widder, who also drove-in a pair of runs.

On the mound, Shane Gray pitched a gem of a performance, throwing a complete game shutout, striking-out five and facing just five batters over the minimum.

Evansville's offense got rolling early and often, pushing across seven runs in the top of the first. To open the game, Evansville recorded three-straight singles, loading the bases for Tanner Craig. Craig opened the scoring, drawing a walk and pushing Kenton Crews home. A passed ball then advanced all the runners, scoring Beilsmith.  After Danny Borgstrom drew another walk, Widder drove home a pair of runs to increase Evansville's lead to 4-0 with still no outs. The Aces concluded the high-scoring inning with back-to-back singles from Craig Shepherd and Komonosky and an RBI groundout to earn a seven-run lead for Evansville.

The Aces offense would go on to tabulate another big inning with four runs in the third and added an additional run in the fourth to secure the 12-0 win.

The 12-run win was the largest Conference victory for the Aces since an eerily similar win seven years ago. Evansville earned a 12-0 shutout win in seven innings on May 10, 2014 over Illinois State in the series opener. In that game, Aces starter Kyle Freeland threw a complete game shutout, striking-out five, giving up four hits and not walking or hitting a batter, the identical line to that of Shane Gray. This marks the ninth time that Evansville has won by 12-or-more runs in 27 seasons of Missouri Valley Conference play.

The University of Evansville track and field team competed at the Sycamore Open, Saturday, hosted by Indiana State University.

Michael Boots smashed the men's hammer throw school record with a 46.97-meter throw, finishing in 10th. Boots also finished in seventh place in the shot put at 14.64m and fourth place in the discus throw at 47.15m.

Kylee Peck broke the school record in the high jump with a 1.60-meter mark, to finish second in the event.

Trey Riggs earned first place in the men's 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.86. Riggs also took fifth place in the men's long jump with a mark of 6.73m. Brendon Smith also placed in the long jump at 6.26-meters.

Justus Donaldson finished fourth in the javelin throw with a 49.16-meter toss.

Setting a new personal record and finishing 13th in the 1500-meter run was Peter Epur with a time of 4:04.93.

The men’s 4x400-meter relay, teamed by Smith, Chris Backer, Riggs and Jackson McPheeters, finished second with a time of 3:28.07.

Taiza Alexander finished fifth in the women’s long jump with a 5.42-meter mark.

Evansville has a week off before retiring to Indiana State for the Pacesetter Invitational on May 7.

Less than a week after the University of Evansville women’s golf team earned its first-ever Missouri Valley Conference Championship, the Purple Aces men take their turn on Monday and Tuesday in Flossmoor, Illinois.

Flossmoor Country Club, which is located just outside of Chicago, will play host to the tournament.  On Monday, play opens at 9 a.m. with the opening two rounds before Tuesday’s final round gets started at 8:30 a.m.  Live scoring will be available on Golfstat.com.

In their last action, the Aces tied for 7th place at the Big Blue Intercollegiate, which was hosted by Tennessee State University.  Played in Old Hickory, Tenn., the Aces were led by Isaac Rohleder.  In the final round, Rohleder carded a career-low 69 (two under par) to clinch a tie for 10th place with a score of 214.

Carson Parker was second on the team while tying for 15th place overall.  He opened the tournament with a pair of even 71’s before registering a 75 in round three.  Just one behind him was Spencer Wagner.  The senior opened strong with a 1-under 70 before adding tallies of 75 and 73 to score a 218.

Henry Kiel and Jessie Brumley rounded out the UE squad.  Kiel finished up with a 232 while Brumley’s tally came in at 236.  Individual Michael Ikejiani came home as one of the top five individuals, posting a 229.

UE wrapped up the tournament with an 881, tying John A. Logan College for 7th place.