Oilmen Shutout Lake County Thursday It was Thirsty Thursday at Oil City Stadium, which made for a large audience. With a packed crowd and the top two teams in the Northern League facing off, the Oilmen rose to the occasion. The Oilmen defeated the 14-6 Lake County Corn Dogs on Thursday with a 4-0 shutout win in front of the home crowd. The Oilmen pounced on the Corn Dogs early, going up 3-0 after the second inning. The highlight of Thursday's game was Chris Baker's two-run, inside-the-park home run in the second inning. It was Baker's second home run of the season, and was a jolt of energy for the home crowd. Baker's home run was also the first earned runs given up this season by Lake County's ace Dylan Matusak. “Early in the season, Chris was taking his way in a lot of two strike counts, fouling off good pitches to hit,” Oilmen Manager Adam Enright said. “[Baker] has been more aggressive in the last couple of games, swinging early in counts, hitting balls on the barrel, and he really did that today.” The Oilmen pitching staff put on a show on Thursday, pitching a shutout and improving to 10-1 at home. Oilmen starter Joey Turek went eight innings, allowed six hits and did not give up a run. In the ninth, Steve Washilewski came in to close the game out, striking out two of the last three batters. The Oilmen pitching staff has given up the least amount of hits, and earned runs in the Northern League. “We’ve been able to save our bullpen which in a 12-game stretch where we’re already somewhat shorthanded,” said Enright. “Those guys have put us in a place where we’re going to get an off day next week and regroup and reset all of our pitching.” The Oilmen are now 12-6, and will host the Southland Vikings on Friday, June 22 at 7:10 p.m at Oil City Stadium.
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