The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – July 27, 2020 – A first-place battle was set as the Oilmen hit the road to face off against the first place DuPage County Hounds (14-5). The Oilmen (13-7) were half a game back in the standings heading into play with a chance to take first place with a win. The Oilmen's hopes were quickly crushed after allowing a season-high 17 runs to the Hounds on Monday evening. 

The Oilmen felt good at the start of the game with their ace Jack Guzek (Iowa / Manhattan, Ill.) taking the bump. Guzek came into play with an 18 inning scoreless streak intact and was looking to have that continue to grow. Guzek was able to push the streak to 20 before it came to crashing halt in the third inning. Guzek allowed 8 earned runs in his start the most by an Oilmen starter this season.

The Oilmen did however contribute nine runs but when it was all said and done there was no way to overcome the 17 runs the Hounds were able to produce in the game. Tommy Windt (South Suburban / Orland Park, Ill.) was able to crack his second home run on the season with a sixth-inning home run and his second on the season. Michael Machnic (Webber International / Walkerton, Ind.) also contributed two RBIs in the Oilmen's nine-run effort but two monster six-run innings for the Hounds in the fifth and seventh innings proved too much.

“We clearly didn't execute our pitches today,” manager Chris Cunningham said. “Guzek has been great this season but today he relied too much on his curveball and they were ready to hit it. We have to be better defensively as well behind our pitchers.” 

The Oilmen suffered their second straight loss to the Hounds after dropping a home matchup with them on Saturday night. The loss puts the Oilmen a game and a half behind DuPage County with 23 scheduled games remaining on the season.

Jack Guzek suffers his first loss of the season and falls to 2-1 and DuPage relief pitcher Alex Luka was the winning pitcher. The Oilmen continue their three-game road trip tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. as they head to Howie Minas Field in Midlothian, Ill. to take on the Joliet Generals. The game can be streamed on the Oilmen broadcasting network via Facebook live with Andrew Fish and Alex Coil on the call.