The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind.- After falling short in the ninth inning the previous day the Northwest Indiana Oilmen were hoping for a different result when they entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing one run on Tuesday night

.A different result they would get, courtesy of an rbi single off the bat of Tylor Phommachanhom (Joliet/ Dayton) would lift the Oilmen to a 7-6 win over the Chicago American Giants. The win also marked the third time they have won in walk off fashion in their first five home games. The Oilmen were in control leading from the fifth inning but a big eighth inning would see the American Giants steal the lead heading into the final frame of action. For the Oilmen they were able to keep their composure and band together to make the comeback. 

“I think our guys are getting tired of losing. They want to put something together where we can start winning more regularly,” Oilmen Manager Adam Enrgiht said. “When we gave up the lead there was a collective refocus to find a way to win the game.”

The late back and forth caused Oilmen starter Matt Lelito (Andrean/ Toledo) to finish the day with a no decision but his performance saw him snag a piece of club history. The right hander threw seven innings of four hit ball racking up 14 strikeouts, an Oilmen single game record, all on his birthday. Attacking the strike zone early counts led to the historic performance from Lelito.

“He was getting ahead early, his command of his off speed pitches was good early and that just opened it up for him to whatever he wanted after that,” Enright said. “He really set himself up to do a lot of good things.”

Phommachanhom’s single provided the 10th hit of the ballgame for the Oilmen, making it another game where they recorded double digits in that category. Joe Cosenza (Downers Grove/ College of DuPage) and Josh Mosley (Chicago/ Triton) each recorded a pair of hits with Mosley driving in two runs. Mosley and Nolan Rimkus (Orland Park/ Belmont Abbey) walked twice in the victory.

 The Oilmen will continue their homestand Thursday when they host the Lake County Corn Dogs at 7:10 P.M. at Oil City Stadium. The game will be broadcast across all platforms of the Oilmen broadcasting network.