The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Hammond, Ind. – June 15, 2021 – The Northwest Indiana Oilmen capitalized on scoring chances early and often on Tuesday evening at Riverside Park.

The Oilmen scored at least one in each of the first three innings to jump out to a 4-1 lead, then accrued four runs in the fifth en route to a 10-6 triumph over host Crestwood.

“We started piecing runs together early in the game,” Oilmen manager TJ Marik said. “We ended up having a big inning, which was huge, and then went back to scoring. It makes a huge impact when you’re able to take advantage of scoring chances and score one or two runs per inning. We can’t lean exclusively on the big innings.”

The offense produced 14 hits on a day where Zamaurion Hatcher (Michigan / Chicago, Ill.) and Andrew Petsche (Purdue Northwest / Oswego, Ill.) had three hits apiece while Christian Williams (Michigan State / Carmel, Ind.), Mike Carey (John A. Logan / Tinley Park, Ill.) and James Harris (UIC / Chicago, Ill.) also enjoyed multi-hit days. Hatcher had three RBIs including a solo home run in the top of the ninth, the team’s second long ball of the season.

The Oilmen starting pitcher reached a double-figure strikeout total for the second consecutive contest as Matt Lelito (Kankakee CC / St. John, Ind.) fanned 10 while walking just one in a 99-pitch effort. He logged six innings and yielded one run on four hits to earn the victory.

“That was a gutsy performance from Matt Lelito,” Marik said. “It was super hard to take him out. I wanted to take him out earlier, and he said he was going one more. It’s hard to say no when a guy is throwing like that. He did a tremendous job.”

Nolan Lorenz (IU South Bend / LaPorte, Ind.) went the rest of the way on the bump, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks over three innings to nail down the save as the Oilmen invoked the three-inning save rule for the third straight game.

NWI (6-4) has played seven of its first 10 games away from home and managed a winning record through a challenging opening stretch.

“We should be better than 6-4,” Marik said. “I know it’s two games above .500, but I never settle for anything, and I want more and more out of everybody. We’re starting to get back on track after going on a little bit of a slide, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we can build on this.”

The Oilmen will kick off a three-game homestand on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. as the MCL Minutemen visit Oil City Stadium. The game will be broadcast on JED TV and AM 1230 WJOB with Leo Staudacher and Vince Martorano on the call.