The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Chicago Heights Ill.- Jack Guzek (Manhattan/Iowa) took the mound for the Northwest Indiana Oilmen hoping to make some history and extend his teams winning streak to six games.

The right hander accomplished both by pitching five scoreless innings, striking out 10, and allowing only three hits as the Oilmen cruised to a 10-1 victory over the MCL Minutemen. Oilmen pitchers held the Minutemen to single digit hits and compiled 13 total strikeouts. Brandon Laux (Chicago/ Kirkwood CC) and Matt Lelito (Saint John/ Kankakee) were able to build off the stellar performance from Guzek and keep the Minutemen far from striking distance.

“Our pitching staff as a whole today did an unbelievable job, but Jack Guzek did a tremendous job of setting us up well with the five scoreless innings,” Oilmen manager TJ Marik said. “Brandon Laux and Matt Lelito, two guys I typically use as starters, but I used in a different role today just came out and did a tremendous job.”

With his 10 strikeouts Guzek now has 106 in his Oilmen career, becoming just the second pitcher in franchise history to reach that milestone. This also marked the fourth double-figure strikeout performance of his Oilmen career.

Offensively the squad was aided by some players making their season debuts. Gaillien Coupet (Homewood/Creighton), Kevin McCormick (Orland Park/ Evansville), and Tommy Klco (Bloomingdale/ Missouri Valley College) all made their first starts with the team. Coupet reached base three times and scored all three times while McCormick was had four hits and a run batted in.

“I honestly wasn’t expecting those guys to come out and do what they did,” Marik said. “These guys are gamers and just added a lot of depth to our team. Now seeing them in our lineup and what they bring is super exciting.”

The Oilmen will return home on Thursday to face the Chicago American Giants at 7:10 p.m. Brandon Vickrey and Leo Staudacher will have the call on JED-TV and AM 1230 WJOB, the Northwest Indiana Oilmen Broadcasting Network. Tickets will be available at the gate.