Oilmen Drop Third Consecutive Game vs Lake County After three and a half hours of game time and 23 total runs, the Lake County Corn Dogs emerged victorious in thrilling fashion.
Saturday’s game encompassed a number of strong performances, including Lake County’s Ray Hilbrich. In a game with four total home runs, Hilbrich roped two of them, with a triple to go along with it. Hilbrich, a former Northern League MVP, was 3-for-6 behind the dish including six RBIs to pair with his two long balls.
After 10 innings of back-and-forth action, the Corn Dogs pulled out a 12-11 win after trailing 7-0 through two innings.
While the Corn Dogs pulled out the win, it was not without a fight from the Oilmen. The Oilmen came out swinging, especially Jayden Comia, who went 4-for-5 at the plate with four RBIs and a home run to complement his statline. Additionally, Brendan O’Connor hit a home run in the first inning, and finished the game with four RBIs.
“I anticipate we will be fairly offensive, and (Comia and O’Connor) are two guys who I expect to do well and be guys who get extra base hits,” Oilmen manager Adam Enright said.
The Corn Dogs outhit the Oilmen 14-8, and left only eight men on base compared to the Oilmen's 16. The Corn Dogs have won nine straight matchups with the Oilmen, and improve to an early 3-0 record on the season.
The Oilmen walked six batters, an improvement from the 15 they walked on opening night. After starting pitcher Joey Turek exited in the third inning due to injury, Jack Niekrasz gave up eight consecutive hits as part of a five-run fifth for the Corn Dogs.
It’s just a matter of (Niekrasz) getting back on the mound,” Enright said. “He was our most reliable bullpen arm last year. I know it's just a matter of getting him reps, and him getting comfortable back out there.”
The Oilmen will have the next three days to rest before they take on the Indiana Panthers in Highland, Ind. this Wednesday at 5 p.m.
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