The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – July 7, 2023 – The Northwest Indiana Oilmen fought hard through nine innings, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Indiana Panthers. The Panthers won 6-4 after a three-run home run from Brennan Fisher in the top of the ninth at Oil City Stadium, Friday night.

Despite the team’s loss Oilmen starter Joey Turek had a strong day on the mound. Turek pitched five innings of one-run ball. He walked one while striking out six. Connor Spear would play the sixth inning. He would put up no hits and no runs to go with one strikeout. Jack West finished off the game for the Oilmen. He would allow three runs on four hits. West also struck out three in his two and a thirds innings pitched.

“Turek threw great for us and when you get an outing like that with a four-run lead, you’re in pretty good shape,” assistant manager Brian Jennings said. “Of course, in a nine-inning ball game, you have to get it out of the rest of your staff.”

Hitting was slow for the Oilmen after a four-run first inning that included four knocks. Kevin Denty was a notable batter as he continues to be for the Oilmen. Denty went 2-for-3 with two singles and an RBI. Brendan O’Conner had a good day at the plate as well. He went 1-for-3 with a walk. He also scored a run and was active on the bags all game.

“It really just comes down to hitting it with runners in scoring position,” Jennings said. “We left the bases loaded in the seventh and we couldn’t push anything across.”

The Oilmen fall to 20-10 on the season. Oilmen will look to bounce back at home against the Lake County Corn Dogs on Saturday afternoon. The first pitch will be thrown out at 7:10 pm at Oil City Stadium.