05/31/2014 11:44 PM -
TODAY'S GAME:
Northwest Indiana Oilmen (2-1)
at Lexington Snipes (2-1)
May 31, 2014 • 1 p.m. (CT) • Lexington, Ill.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Northwest Indiana Oilmen are attempting to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, an 8-1 loss to DuPage County on Saturday night. DuPage County pitcher Pat Cashman (1-0) hurled seven shutout innings as the Hounds defeated the Oilmen 8-1. The Oilmen mustered up only three hits in the seven innings against Cashman. Nate Schneider, who went 2-for-4, drove in the lone Oilmen run with a ninth-inning double.
Inside the Oilmen
Western Michigan’s Nate Schneider is off to a fast start in his first season with the Oilmen. He is tied for the team lead in batting average at .429 and pacing the Oilmen in runs batted in with four. Jason Gasser shares the team-lead in batting average, while Kevin DeFilippis and Ryan Burvan lead the club in walks with three each. Jack Czeszewski leads the team in doubles with three, all of which came on Friday in Joliet.
Inside the Snipes
Lexington picked up its first and second victories of the season on Saturday, sweeping the Chicago Zephyrs in a double header. After taking the first game 8-0, the Snipes downed the Zephyrs 11-3 in the nightcap. Ben Hecht is expected to take the mound against the Oilmen on Sunday afternoon. Hecht just completed his freshman season at Illinois State, where he posted a 5.01 ERA in 19 appearances, all in relief. Hecht will face off with Illinois State teammate Jack Czeszewski of NWI.
About the Matchup
Jimmy McNamara and Brett Fanning engaged in a pitchers’ duel for five innings on opening night as both starters walked away with no decisions. The Oilmen eventually prevailed 2-1, improving to 7-3 all-time against the Snipes. The Oilmen are 2-1 when playing on the road against Lexington and 1-1 in games played at High Desert Field, the site of Sunday’s contest.
Around the League
The Oilmen and Snipes enter Sunday’s showdown tied for second in the league standings with identical 2-1 records. DuPage County and Southland are deadlocked atop the league standings with both clubs at 2-0. Southland defeated Joliet 7-4 on Saturday as a late Admirals rally came up shy. The Vikings visit DuPage County on Sunday night in a battle of the two remaining Midwest Collegiate League undefeated teams. Chicago travels to Joliet in a matchup that will allow the winner to capture its first victory of the season.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes.
