05/28/2014 12:15 AM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
Northwest Indiana Oilmen (0-0)
vs. Lexington Snipes
May 28, 2014 • 7:10 p.m. (CT) • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen were scheduled to begin their third season in the Midwest Collegiate League on Tuesday, but inclement weather caused the postponement of the scheduled game against the Southland Vikings. Instead, the MCL slates opens up Wednesday as the Oilmen host the Lexington Snipes. Historically, the Oilmen have struggled on opening day, losing to DuPage County in the franchise’s first-ever game in 2012 before falling to Michigan City to start the 2013 campaign. This game marks the first time the Oilmen have opened a season at home.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen have reached the Midwest Collegiate League championship series in each of the first two seasons under manager Justin Huisman. The Oilmen captured the league crown in the inaugural 2012 campaign. This year’s roster is loaded with new faces as only four players – Jimmy McNamara, Danny Pobereyko, Matt Pobereyko and Scott Jerge – return from last year’s squad. This year’s team features more local talent than ever before as graduates of Lake Central, Michigan City, Portage, Bishop Noll, Kankakee Valley, Munster, Whiting, Highland and Crown Point are all featured on the roster. The Oilmen hold a .719 all-time winning percentage in games played at Oil City Stadium.
Inside the Snipes
The Lexington Snipes are opening their second season in the Midwest Collegiate League and 14th overall. The franchise holds a .570 winning percentage in team history. Wednesday’s game marks the managerial debut of Tyler Cook, who takes overall for Billy DuBois. Dubois will focus on his duties as the team’s general manager this season. Cook received a Lexington Snipes MVP Award in 2011 during his playing career at the University of South Carolina Upstate. He spent 2012 as an assistant coach for the Snipes. The Snipes reached the MCL postseason last season, but fell to the Oilmen two games to none in the first round of the playoffs.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen won the regular season series against the Snipes 4-3 in 2013 in addition to sweeping to postseason series 2-0. The Snipes secured their first-ever MCL win with a 5-3 victory at Oil City Stadium on June 5, 2013. The last time the two teams met was the clinching game of the 2013 MCL Semifinals as the Oilmen pulled out a wild 17-9 victory at Illinois Wesleyan University on July 31.
Around the MCL
Oil City Stadium is the only active Midwest Collegiate League diamond on Wednesday. The Joliet Admirals will play their first game since moving to Joliet at home against Southland tomorrow night, while the DuPage County Hounds and Chicago Zephyrs do not open the season until Friday.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes.
