Everyone is invited to the 165th commencement ceremony on Saturday May 6th to honor the class of 2023. The ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Ford Center. No tickets are required. For those who cannot attend in-person, the ceremony will also be live streamed at www.evansville.edu/live/. Seniors should also complete the 2023 Graduation Survey.

The May 2023 meetings of the University of Evansville Board of Trustees will be held on campus Thursday, May 4, and Friday, May 5, 2023. Parking in front of Olmsted Administration Hall and the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration will be reserved for University Trustees. Employee parking on the front oval will be limited on both days.

May Book Selection:
I Have Some Questions For You – by Rebecca Makkai

“Part boarding school drama, part forensic whodunit” This is a 448 page Fiction/Mystery Thriller.

A successful film professor and podcaster, Bodie Kane is content to forget her past -- the family tragedy that marred her adolescence, her four largely miserable years at a New Hampshire boarding school, and the murder of her former roommate, Thalia Keith, in the spring of their senior year. Though the circumstances surrounding Thalia's death and the conviction of the school's athletic trainer, Omar Evans, are hotly debated online, Bodie prefers -- needs -- to let sleeping dogs lie. But when the Granby School invites her back to teach a course, Bodie is inexorably drawn to the case and its increasingly apparent ?aws. In their rush to convict Omar, did the school and the police overlook other suspects? Is the real killer still out there? As she falls down the very rabbit hole she was so determined to avoid, Bodie begins to wonder if she wasn't as much of an outsider at Granby as she'd thought -- if, perhaps, back in 1995, she knew something that might have held the key to solving the case. (from Goodreads.com)

We will meet on Thursday May 18th at 12 noon in the University Advancement House on Rotherwood to discuss the book. Everyone is invited.
This is the last book club meeting before the Summer Break. Participants are encouraged to bring a used book or two to swap with others. Hopefully this will provide everyone with a new book to read while on vacation this summer!
If you would like to be added to the Book club email list please contact Kathy Taylor at ks6.

One will be excavating the remains of a "cursed" Etruscan palace in Tuscany. Another will be preparing a photography exhibit of Evansville "then and now." A third will be helping to locate the remains of an 1840s farmstead in Illinois built by a freed slave. Those are just three of the sixteen Archaeology majors who will be participating in experiential learning this summer in four foreign countries and five US states. The full list is below. If you see any of these folks before they leave campus, wish them a great summer and ask them to send you a postcard.

Greece
Anna R. – University of Missouri, St. Louis’ Iklaina-Pylos Field School Archaeological Project (working in lab at excavation of a Mycenaean palace)

Israel
Sophia C. – University of Haifa Excavation in the Lower City at Tel Hazor (Israel’s largest Canaanite city)
Ever G. – University of Haifa Excavation in the Lower City at Tel Hazor
Daniel G. – University of Haifa Excavation in the Lower City at Tel Hazor
Jade H. – University of Haifa Excavation in the Lower City at Tel Hazor
Brenna M. – University of Haifa Excavation in the Lower City at Tel Hazor
Sam P. – University of Haifa Excavation in the Lower City at Tel Hazor
Maddy W. – University of Haifa Excavation in the Lower City at Tel Hazor

Italy
Julia R. – University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Poggio Civitate Archaeological Project (excavation of an Etruscan palace)

Portugal
Sara W. - Caladinho Archaeological Project, Portugal (excavation of a rural Roman fort)

United States
Olivia B. – Southern Illinois University Field School at Ft. Kaskaskia and Miller Grove, Illinois (excavation of an 18th century French colonial fort and a 19th century freed slave’s farmstead)
Grace G. – Cultural Resource Management internship with Two Pines Resources, Minnesota (survey and excavation ahead of highway construction)
Gavriel H. – Archival internship at Willard Library, Evansville
Lily K. – Rhode Island Marine Archaeological Project (processing finds from the excavation of two Colonial-era shipwrecks)
Savannah S. – Internship at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science (creating a “then and now” photo exhibit)
Zoe S. – Intern at the Maritime Museum Louisiana, Madisonville, Louisiana

The bookstore will have reduced hours for the Summer, beginning on Monday, May 8th and ending on Wednesday, August 16th.

• Monday-Thursday: 10am-3pm
• Friday: 10am-2pm
• Closed Saturday and Sunday

Please note that we will have extended hours for special events (SOAR, etc). Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.

Have a wonderful Summer!

The following long-time faculty members will retire this May: S. Mark Kopta, James Ware, and Tim Zifer.  They will each leave behind a great legacy of successful careers, commendable work ethics, and excellent service to our institution.  Please help us wish them well in their retirements.  From all of your UE family, we wish you all the best.

In honor of them, a Forest Pansy Redbud Tree has been planted between Hyde Hall (on the south side) and Sampson Hall.  (The location of the tree can be seen marked in red on the map at the bottom of this article.)

S. Mark Kopta, Ph.D., H.S.P.P., Professor of Psychology.

Along with teaching at UE, Dr. Kopta is a clinical psychologist in private psychotherapy practice.  He is a leading expert in psychotherapy and mental health, with numerous publications, including a book, a video, chapters in books, published articles, and scholarly paper presentations.  He specializes in researching how adults improve in psychotherapy and the assessment of mental health.  His 1986 and 1994 articles on the dosage model are two of the most cited scholarly works in psychotherapy research.  His dose-effect model was selected as one of the most influential psychotherapy theories of the 20th Century by the Encyclopedia of Psychotherapy.  His research achievements were also noted in the 1988 edition of Encyclopedia Britannica.

With regard to child and adolescent psychiatry, Dr. Kopta coauthored the book, Right Versus Wrong: Raising a Child with a Conscience.  The book delineates how children acquire healthy values through conscience development.  He has coauthored articles on child/adolescent development and mental health published in psychiatry's most influential journals.

James Ware, PhD, Professor of Religion and Classics.

Dr. Ware has taught at UE since 1995, teaching courses in the New Testament, the Gospels, Paul’s letters, ancient Christianity, and ancient Greek language and literature.  He is thankful for the many students he taught during that time, all of whom he remembers fondly and each of whom contributed in a unique way to each class.  Dr. Ware holds an M.A. in Greek and Latin Classical Literature from Washington University, St. Louis, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Ancient Christianity from Yale University.  He is the author of Paul’s Theology in Context: Creation, Incarnation, Covenant, and Kingdom (Eerdmans, 2019), Paul and the Mission of the Church (Brill, 2005; softcover Baker Academic, 2011), and a new tool for the study of Paul’s epistles, Synopsis of the Pauline Letters (Baker Academic, 2010).  He is currently at work on a book on 1 Corinthians 15, the fullest treatment of the resurrection in the Bible, due out in 2024.  After retirement from full-time teaching at UE, he will continue teaching part-time at UE and at Saint Meinrad Seminary.

Dr. Timothy Zifer, Professor of Music.

Dr. Zifer holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Ohio University, a master of music in trumpet performance from Louisiana State University, and a doctorate in trumpet performance with a minor in wind conducting from Louisiana State University. He teaches courses in applied trumpet, UE Jazz Ensemble I, UE Trumpet Ensemble, jazz studies, and music management.  He received the Dean's Teaching Award in 2010.

Dr. Zifer is the principal trumpet of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and is an active soloist and recitalist.  He also serves as the principal trumpet and founding member of the Shepard Brass (UE Faculty Brass Quintet).  Most recently, he recorded Robert Russell Bennett's Rose Variations with the UE Wind Ensemble.

Prior to taking over the jazz program, Dr. Zifer served as director of bands (1996-2008).  During this time, the University of Evansville wind ensemble toured over 20 states and appeared at the 2001 International Trumpet Guild Conference, competed in the 2002 International Hawaiian Music Festival, and performed at the 2006 and 2008 Indiana Music Educators. Association conventions.  The UE Jazz Ensemble I has performed and competed at the prestigious Elmhurst Jazz Festival from 2008-2012, having received two honorable mentions and recognition for an original composition by a student.  The UE Trumpet Ensemble has performed at the 2001 and 2004 International Trumpet Guild Conferences as well as the 2011 University of Kentucky TrumpetFest.  In 2001, Dr. Zifer served as the conference host for the International Trumpet Guild Conference on the campus of UE.  The conference brought in over 800 attendees from around the world and featured recitals, lectures, exhibits, and clinics by some of the world's leading trumpet professionals.

The University of Evansville and the Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusion would like to extend a warm welcome and congratulations to the newest members of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc.

On Wednesday, April 26th, 2023, the Stellar Psi Chapter of Gamma Phi Omega announced three of their newest members- UE second year Sophia Reyes and UE first years Elizabeth Tapia and Mia Melendez.

GPhiO is the first Latin-oriented Greek Organization to have a chapter at the University of Evansville. The newest members are the first UE students to gain membership in GPhiO and we are excited to see all that they bring to their organization and to the UE campus. Congratulations, baby Swans!

Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. is a Latina-oriented organization and was founded on April 17, 1991, at Indiana University. The Stellar Psi Chapter was established in 2019 at the University of Southern Indiana. In 2022, the chapter expanded to the University of Evansville to create the Stellar Psi- Metro Evansville Chapter where individuals from both USI and UE have access to seek membership. To learn more about GPhiO please visit their national website here: http://gammaphiomega.org and follow them on Instagram at @evansville_swans!

The library is offering to keep students' plants alive over the summer if they cannot take them home. Contact Meg Atwater-Singer at ma35 for more information.

Visit https://crescent.evansville.edu/2023/04/21/april-2023/

And check out the final issue of the semester.

Interested in students’ stories and perspectives while studying abroad at Harlaxton? The Harlaxton Haze is a special section of the Crescent Magazine dedicated to the student experience at Harlaxton sponsored by Honey + Moon Coffee CO. https://crescent.evansville.edu/harlaxton-2/

Tune in for the last episodes of the semester of The Crescent Sports Report. https://crescent.evansville.edu/podcasts/

Interested in writing, design, illustration, web design, photography, video, motion graphics, podcasting, marketing? Student Media is the place for you to learn and develop new skills and talents. Contact Tommy J Housman to learn more th208

Student Financial Services has a list of outside scholarship opportunities for the 2023-24 academic year.  The document is updated regularly and contains information on applying for outside scholarships of varying requirements, deadlines, and award amounts.  To access the document, go to myue.evansville.edu, click on Menu, select Department and Office Pages, select Student Financial Services, and click on Additional Scholarship Opportunities.

Questions:  Please contact Amber Chandler, Administrative Assistant to the Office of Student Financial Services, at ac547@evansville.edu or 812-488-2364.

As there are fewer submissions to AceNotes during the summer, AceNotes will only be published on Wednesday starting the week of Monday, May 8. AceNotes Extras will still be published whenever needed. The regular AceNotes publication schedule of every Monday through Friday will resume when school begins again in August.

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 2023-2024 Hartig Memorial Scholarship will be sophomores in the 2023-2024 academic year.

The application can be found online.

Deadline: Please return all materials to the Office of Student Financial Services by May 5, 2023. The decision will be announced by May 26, 2023.

Questions: Amber Chandler, Administrative Assistant to the Office of Student Financial Services, at ac547@evansville.edu or 812-488-2364.

The Division of Student Affairs is excited to announce that Abagail Catania will begin a new role as the Director of the Center for Student Engagement. Her first day will be June 5, 2023.

Abagail Catania was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, however, that did not stop her from finding a passion for agriculture. During her time in high school, she was heavily involved in organizations such as FFA and MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences). After graduating from high school she attend the University of Wisconsin- Madison where she student Agricultural Business Management with a double major in Legal Studies and two minors (certificates) in Criminal Justice and Leadership. During her time in undergrad she continued her involvement with MANRRS, as well as Ask. Listen. Save and a number of other clubs. She spent a semester studying abroad in London and a semester volunteering abroad in Uganda. After returning from her time abroad, she was an RA and simultaneously worked for study abroad for two years until graduating in 2019. After graduating with her Bachelors of Science, she realized she had a greater passion for youth development and diversity. She worked at a summer camp for individuals with disabilities as a Youth Development and Leadership Coordinator before returning to the University of Westminster in London, England where she received her Masters of Arts in Cultural and Critical Studies and worked in study abroad welcoming students to London from throughout the world. Since graduating from her M.A. She has worked in the UE Center for Diversity Equity and Inclusion working to bridge cultural differences across campus through programming and interpersonal relationships. She is currently going into her second year of her Doctorate of Education (EdD) at Vanderbilt University in Higher Education Leadership and Policy.

She believes that the benefits of college do not stop at obtaining a degree. College is the place that people grow into who they’re supposed to become by learning inside and outside the classroom, meeting new people and trying new things. As corny as it may sound this is where people will meet their life long friends, future partners, and develop new passions. She is most excited to be part of that process through student engagement by helping everyone grow into who they’re meant to be!

We are looking forward to June 5th!

At the end-of-year faculty meeting, the William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences Dean, Dr. Ray Lutgring, presented the Dean’s Teaching Awards to Associate Professor Sarah J. Smith and Associate Professor Katie Mullins.

Sarah J. Smith, Associate Professor of Costume Design, has over 15 years of professional work as a costume designer, stylist, and project manager in New York City, Los Angeles, and regional theatres across the country. Her theatre work ranges from small-scale new works to opera and Broadway musicals. Sarah has worked at Disney/ABC Television Studios, styled photo shoots for national print campaigns, and designed costumes for television. She is a proud member of IATSE—United Scenic Artists Local 829 and Theatrical Wardrobe Union Local 764.

Katie Darby Mullins, Associate Professor of Creative Writing, has been nominated for both the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net twice. She is the associate editor of metrical poetry journal Measure, and she's been published or has work forthcoming in journals like The Rumpus, Hawaii Pacific Review, BOAAT Press, Harpur Palate, Prime Number, Big Lucks, Pithead Chapel, and she was a semifinalist in the Ropewalk Press Fiction Chapbook competition and in the Casey Shay Press poetry chapbook competition.

Dean Lutgring stated, “The College is so proud of our outstanding faculty. Sarah and Katie are two shining examples. They are both fantastic teachers!”

The biology awards honoring the outstanding achievements of UE biology students during the 2022-2023 academic year were announced during the Annual Biology Senior Picnic and Awards Ceremony on April 27th.

The recipient of the Jerry T. Seng Freshmen Biology Award was Ashleigh Hoskins.

The David and Jennifer Pollock Sophomore Biology Award was presented to John Erickson.

Brad Schulte and Makayla Gomperts received the P. “Louie” Winternheimer Junior Biology Award.

The James A. Brenneman Student Service Award in Biology was given to Devyn Schaetzle.

Charlie Watts was honored with the Patricia L. Akrabawi Teaching Assistant Award in Biology.

The Charles and Patricia Robertson Senior Biology Award was presented to Elyse Talley.

Biology Metamorphosis Award, an award given to a student who has shown exemplary progress and development during their academic studies in the biology program, was presented to Evan Barr.
During the picnic, the biology department also recognized the achievements of Dr. Cris Hochwender by presenting him with the coveted Bunny the Elephant Award.

Congratulations go out to all biology majors for their success over the past academic year.

Congratulations to this year’s Music Conservatory Award recipients.

Gumberts Competition:
Allison Enchelmayer – winner
Madelynn Filson
Rachel Taylor
Claire Stout

Presser Scholarship Award:
Luke Robertson

Music Service Award:
Luke Robertson

Curtis Shirley Leadership Award:
Haley Curtis

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

Congratulations to the following faculty who earned a certificate or award for the 2022-2023 academic year, demonstrating outstanding dedication to pedagogy.

New Faculty Engagement Certificate:
Megan Voss-Warner
Amy Walker
Joanie Moyer
William Miller

Teaching Development Certificate:
Lisa Hale
Kristen Strandberg

Outstanding New Faculty of the Year Award:
Megan Voss-Warner

Megan attended and participated in every ECTE event including weekly new faculty meetings, book groups, as well as Lunch and Learn and Lunch Bunch gatherings. She has contributed to creating community with colleagues and staff. She also took part in professional development events in her field. Congratulations, Megan for a terrific first year at UE!

The Dean’s Teaching Awards for 2022-2023 have been awarded by the Academic Deans. The faculty members being honored are:

Katie Mullins, associate professor of Creative Writing from the William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences.

Sarah Smith, assistant professor of Theatre from the William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences.

Faith Fox, clinical assistant professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the College of Business and Engineering.

Jared Fulcher, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering from the College of Business and Engineering.

Claire Nutt, clinical assistant professor and program director of Physician Assistant Science from the College of Education and Health Sciences.

Jason Pitt, assistant professor of Physical Therapy from the College of Education and Health Sciences.

Congratulations to our most deserving faculty members, and thank you for all you do for our students and the University.

The Honors Program congratulates Hannah Tarr on receiving the Outstanding Honors Program Senior Award for this academic year.

Hannah has been active in the Honors Program throughout her time at UE. She served as the president of the Honors Activity Board this year, leading the group in organizing and running events such as Nerd Wars, the Honors Program banquet, community service activities, and the freshman retreat.

Hannah is graduating with a degree in Theatre Studies. Her honors project was entitled “All Things Here Are Possible: Directing The Moors by Jen Silverman”. After graduation, Hannah will be spending the summer as a stage crew apprentice at the Santa Fe Opera and then moving to New York City.

The Honors Program thanks Hannah for all her contributions to the program and wishes her all the best for the future. Congratulations!

The visiting #14 Indiana State baseball team took advantage of some uncharacteristic wildness from University of Evansville junior starter Donovan Schultz to score four runs in the first inning Saturday en route to a 7-4 win at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.

“We just couldn’t overcome the first inning today,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “We didn’t play clean baseball, and because of it, we weren’t able to get the series win today.

“I thought that Jarrett Blunt and Jakob Meyer gave us a chance by keeping us close, but we could not put together another big offensive inning that we needed to get the win. Tomorrow is a very important rubber match for us. Hopefully, we can get another great crowd to come out and cheer us on!”

Schultz (5-3), who had hit only one batter in his last six starts on the mound spanning 32.0 innings of work, opened the first inning giving up a hit, a walk and hit two batters to give Indiana State a 1-0 lead. After a strikeout, ISU catcher Grant McGill was able to flare a double down the right field line to score two runs to extend the lead to 3-0. An infield ground out then capped the first-inning scoring for ISU, but Indiana State took a 4-0 lead before Evansville headed to home plate.

ISU would tack on a run in the third inning on another hit-by-pitch by Schultz, a balk, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 5-0. Evansville would finally answer back in the bottom of the third inning, as junior outfielder Adam Euler, making his first start of the year, singled to open the inning. After a single from sophomore third baseman Ben Stuart, graduate outfielder Eric Roberts launched a three-run home run to center field for his MVC-leading 16th home run of the year to cut the ISU lead to 5-3.

The Sycamores would add a run in the fifth inning on a solo home run from shortstop Randal Diaz that went in and out of the glove of UE outfielder Ty Rumsey as he crashed into the wall in center field to take a 6-3 lead. Diaz would later double off of the glove of Rumsey again in the seventh inning and score on an RBI single by third baseman Mike Sears to push the lead to 7-3, before UE fifth-year first baseman Chase Hug would belt a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the eighth inning to cap the scoring on the day.

Hug went 3-for-4 with a home run, while Roberts went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Stuart also had two hits for UE. Diaz went 2-for-4 with three runs scored to lead ISU.

Fenlong got the victory on the mound by holding Evansville to four runs on eight hits in 8.0 innings of work, while striking out six. Reliever Brennyn Cutts worked a perfect ninth inning to earn his second save of the year. Schultz took the loss for UE, yielding five runs on just two hits with a walk. He did hit three batters. UE graduate reliever Jarrett Blunt struck out a career-high eight men in a season-best 4.0 innings of work to try and keep Evansville in the game, and senior reliver Jakob Meyer struck out three over 2.0 scoreless innings of work for UE.

With the victory, Indiana State improves to 27-13 overall and 15-2 in the MVC. Evansville, meanwhile, falls to 25-17 overall and 9-8 in the MVC with the loss. The series will be decided on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., with UE expected to start graduate LHP Michael Parks (2-1, 2.34 ERA) against Indiana State RHP Lane Miller (4-0, 2.12 ERA). Sunday’s rubber match can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS and the Old National Bank/Purple Aces Sports Network from Learfield.

After scoring the first five runs of the game, Illinois State finished the day with a 7-3 victory over the University of Evansville softball team on Sunday afternoon at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.

Weather impacted the contest on multiple occasions with the start of the game delayed by one hour before play was halted in the bottom of the first for nearly another hour.  The scoring for the Purple Aces came from the long ball with Alexa Davis launching a 2-run shot and Hannah Hood adding a solo home run in the 6th.

With one out in the bottom of the first, the game was delayed for a second time due to weather.  When the teams returned to the field, the Redbirds pounced with three runs in the top of the second.  Highlighting the inning for ISU was a 2-run homer by Brandi LaFountaine.

Evansville had a few chances early in the contest with Jenna Nink picking up a triple in the second before the team loaded the bases in the third, however, Illinois State got out of both frames unscathed.  The Redbirds added two scores in the fourth to extend their advantage to 5-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, Evansville got on the board when Alexa Davis hit a 2-run home run with one out.  Jess Willsey reached on a single to bring up Davis, who connected to deep center field to make it a 3-run game.  The Aces had two more runners reach before ISU picked up the final out.

Illinois State fought right back as Dayna Kennedy launched a 2-run home run to center as the lead was pushed back to five runs.  Hannah Hood got UE one run closer with a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the 6th.  The Aces continued to fight through the inning, loading the bases with two outs before a strikeout kept the ISU lead at 7-3.  Down to the final three outs, UE added another hit but could not get any closer with the game wrapping up at 7-3.

As a team, Evansville registered 11 hits with Illinois State posting eight.  Marah Wood extended her hit streak to 12 games. \  In the circle, Sydney Weatherford gave up five runs, four earned, in four innings.  She suffered her 10th loss of the season.  Hannah Ross recorded her second win of the weekend with 4 2/3 innings of 2-run ball.

Regular season play comes to a close next weekend when the Aces travel to Northern Iowa for three games.

After the start of Sunday’s baseball game was delayed over one hour and 45 minutes due to rain, the 14th-ranked Indiana State Sycamores rained on the University of Evansville’s parade with a 10-4 win at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.

“We really lost an opportunity to win the series the last two days after a hard-earned win on Friday night,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “We just didn’t do enough in all three facets of the game to earn it these last two days.

“Even though we didn’t get the series win this weekend, I still believe in our guys and our ability to finish the season strong.”

Indiana State took advantage of an early Evansville error and a strong 30 mile-per-hour wind blowing out to right field in the first inning to grab a lead it would never lose, as designated hitter Luis Hernandez snaked a two-run home run around the right-field foul pole to give ISU a 2-0 lead. Hernandez then came through with a two-out, two-run single to center field in the third inning to extend the lead to 4-0.

Evansville would get a run back in the bottom of the third inning on a solo home run to right-center field by junior outfielder Adam Euler. Indiana State would answer right back, though, with a two-out solo home run to center field by outfielder Keegan Watson in the fourth inning to retake a four-run lead at 5-1.

The Sycamores would score two more two-out runs in the sixth inning on a two-run single by first baseman Henry Brown to extend the lead to 7-1. UE would get one of those runs back on an RBI double by junior second baseman Kip Fougerousse in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Indiana State would plate two more two-out runs in the next half inning to grab a 9-2 lead.

Fougerousse would take advantage of the wind with a long solo home run to right-center field in the eighth inning, and sophomore outfielder Ty Rumsey blasted a solo home run to right field in the ninth inning, but Evansville could get no closer, as the Sycamores took the series win.

Rumsey went 3-for-4 with a home run, while Euler and Fougerousse added two hits each, including home runs. Fougerousse also added two RBI. Hernandez and second baseman Josue Urdaneta both had three-hit days to lead Indiana State.

ISU starter Lane Miller (5-0) picked up the victory on the mound, scattering two runs on seven hits in 6.1 innings of work. Graduate LHP Michael Parks (2-2) suffered the loss for UE in his first career start by allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits in 4.0 innings of work. All 10 runs scored by Indiana State came home with two outs in an inning.

With the victory, Indiana State improves to 28-13 overall and 16-2 in the MVC. Evansville, meanwhile, falls to 25-18 overall and 9-9 in the MVC. The Purple Aces will wrap up a five-game homestand on Wednesday night by hosting Butler in a 6 p.m. contest that can be seen live on ESPN+ and heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS and the Old National Bank/Purple Aces Sports Network from Learfield.

Head Coach David Ragland has announced another addition to the University of Evansville men’s basketball roster for next season as Joshua Hughes has signed with the Purple Aces.

Hughes is a 6-foot-10 forward/center from Australia.  He represented his country at the U17 World Cup in 2022 and is currently playing for Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence in the NBL1 League.

“We are extremely excited to add Joshua and his family to our UE family. Josh is a wonderful young man who comes from a great family,” Ragland explained.  “Our staff has focused this offseason on adding size, skill and shooting to our roster and Josh fits all those aspects as well as the importance of adding quality people to our roster.”

“The combination of Josh’s skill set and work ethic will keep UE fans entertained watching him develop over time.”

NBL1 is a semi-professional league in Australia, which is the equivalent of the G-League for the NBA in the United States.  In 14.7 minutes per game, Hughes is averaging 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds.  His shooting has been extremely efficient as he holds a 56% mark from the field and is an 85% free throw shooter.

Since January of 2021, Hughes has been training at the CoE and NBA Academy.  He is set to join the Aces as a freshman in the fall of 2023.

Solo home runs from Jenna Nink and Marah Wood, strong pitching and big-time defensive plays around the diamond, helped the University of Evansville softball team take down Illinois State by a score of 3-2 at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.

Nink registered her sixth homer of the season while Wood picked up her fourth.  Erin Kleffman made the start on her Senior Day with one run scoring in her four innings of work.  Sydney Weatherford earned her sixth win of the year, tossing two frames of 1-run ball.  Megan Brenton threw a scoreless seventh on the way to her sixth save of 2023.

Evansville’s defense was the first to make a statement, coming through in a big way to prevent an Illinois State run in the top of the seconds.  With two outs and runners on first and second, the Redbirds picked up a base hit to left field and sent the baserunner home.  Zoe Frossard’s accurate throw was grabbed by catcher Taylor Howe, who made the tag and ended the inning.

In the bottom of the third, UE broke the scoreless tie when Marah Wood drilled a 1-out home run to left center.  It extended her hit streak to 11 games and marked her fourth homer of 2023. It did not take long for ISU to rebound as they put two runners on with no outs.  A sacrifice fly brought in the tying run before Erin Kleffman pitched out of the jam.

Entering the game in the top of the 5th, Sydney Weatherford struggled with the opening three batters as each would get on base.  Facing the bases loaded, no out situation, Weatherford regrouped and limited the damage to just one run with the Redbirds going up 2-1.

Jenna NInk wasted little time in tying it right back up.  With UE facing its first deficit of the afternoon, her leadoff home run in the bottom of the 5th tied the score.  Pinch hitter Brooke McCorkle followed up with a double as Sydney Kalonihea reentered and would score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly from Alexa Davis.

Brenton took to the circle in the 7th and two runners would reach with one out.  Appropriately enough, it was the defense shining once again, forcing a game-ending double play to seal the win.  Both squads recorded seven hits on the day with Willsey picking up two.

Following the game, seniors Hannah Hood and Kleffman were recognized as well as Alyssa Barela, who played her final season at UE in 2022.  The team also recognized senior members of the Illinois State team.

The teams will battle it out for the series on Sunday with first pitch set for 12 p.m.

Marah Wood recorded three hits and extended her hit streak to a season-high 10 games on Friday evening when the University of Evansville softball team dropped a 2-1 decision to Illinois State in ten innings at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.

Wood completed the evening going 3-for-5 at the plate as the Purple Aces registered eight hits on the night.  Hannah Hood added two hits while Lacy Smith, Zoe Frossard and Jess Willsey added one apiece.

Illinois State scored an unearned run in the top of the second before Evansville responded with a run in the bottom of the third.  Marah Wood came through with a 2-out single to score Lacy Smith, who singled earlier in the frame.

Things remained knotted at 1-1 until the top of the 6th when Emme Olson connected on a solo home run to right field to put the Redbirds back on top.  Once again, UE had an answer.  Wood picked up her third hit of the day to reach.  Standing on second with two outs, Wood scored the tying run when Alexa Davis reached on an error.

In the top of the tenth, the Redbirds broke through with a run scoring on an Abby Knight single.  Down to its final chance, the Aces came up just short with ISU clinching the win.

Hannah Ross went the distance, tossing 10 innings for the Redbirds with two runs, one earned scoring.  She fanned 10 batters on the way to her 10th win of the year.  Mikayla Jolly made the start with an unearned run scoring on three hits in four frames.  Megan Brenton threw the final six innings with two runs scoring, one of which was earned.

Tomorrow, the teams match up for the second game of the series at 2 p.m.

The University of Evansville junior trio of starter Nick Smith and relievers Shane Harris and Nate Hardman combined to shut down the high-powered attack of nationally-ranked Indiana State on Friday night, as the Purple Aces posted a 2-1 victory over the 14th-ranked Sycamores at German American Bank Field at Charles H. Braun Stadium in Evansville.

“What an outstanding pitching performance tonight from Nick Smith, Shane Harris and Nate Hardman,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “They overcame a couple of mistakes that we had and really performed well tonight. What a great start to the weekend!”

Smith held an Indiana State team which entered the night hitting .319 in Missouri Valley Conference play and riding a nation’s best 14-game winning streak to just five base hits and an unearned run in 7.0 innings of work. He did not allow a man to advance past second base until the seventh inning, and yielded just two singles and an error the first two trips through the ISU batting order.

Smith’s effort was needed, as Indiana State starter Matt Jachec matched Smith inning for inning, except for the fourth inning, when the Purple Aces took a 1-0 lead. A lead-off double by junior shortstop Simon Scherry opened the frame for Evansville, and after a fly out, Scherry would score on an RBI single by junior second baseman Kip Fougerousse to give UE a 1-0 lead. The hit extended Fougerousse’s hitting streak to 10 games.

Smith and Jachec would take the game into the seventh inning with the score remaining 1-0, as the right-handers traded zeros on the scoreboard. Indiana State would finally scratch across a run against Smith in the top of the seventh inning after a lead-off hit-by-pitch, a single and an error put two men in scoring position to open the inning. Smith would get a strikeout for the first out, but catcher Grant McGill would flare a double into short right-center field that just fell in amongst a trio of diving Purple Aces to score one run and tie the game at 1-1. Smith would get the top two hitters of the ISU batting order out though to escape the jam and end his night tied at 1-1.

Indiana State would threaten to take the lead in the top of the eighth inning, as the Sycamores got the lead-off man aboard on a strikeout and a two-base wild pitch. Harris (4-2) would follow a sacrifice bunt with a strikeout though, and then got an inning-ending ground out to third base to keep the score tied at 1-1.

Jachec would give way to reliever Cameron Holycross (4-1) in the bottom of the eighth inning for ISU, and UE fifth-year first baseman Chase Hug roped a lead-off ground-rule double into the right-field corner on the first pitch he saw to open the inning. After a wild pitch advanced Hug to third base, Scherry scored Hug with an RBI ground out to second to give UE a 2-1 lead. Hardman then came on out of the UE bullpen to work a perfect ninth inning to record his fifth save of the year.

Graduate outfielder Eric Roberts and sophomore catcher Evan Waggoner both had two hits to lead the UE offense, with Fougerousse and Scherry driving in UE’s two runs.

With the victory, Evansville improves to 25-16 overall and 9-7 in the MVC. Indiana State, meanwhile, sees its 14-game winning streak come to a close, as the Sycamores fall to 26-13 overall and 14-2 in the Valley. The two teams will continue the series on Saturday afternoon, with UE junior LHP Donovan Schultz (5-2, 3.40 ERA) expected to battle ISU RHP Connor Fenlong (5-2, 4.57 ERA). Saturday’s game can be heard live in the Tri-State area on 107.1 FM-WJPS and the Old National Bank/Purple Aces Sports Network from Learfield.