The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – July 23, 2023 – The Oilmen fought hard to split a doubleheader against the Indiana Panthers in Highland, Ind. Sunday afternoon. The Oilmen won game one 10-5 and lost game two 3-1. 

Brandon Laux was credited with the win in game one. Laux went six full innings allowing three runs on just three hits. Laux also struck out nine Panthers on his way to the win. Victor David Rodriguez started game two for the Oilmen. Rodriguez went five innings allowing three runs on six hits. Rodriguez also struck out on and walked one.

“Brandon was high in pitch count through three innings,” manager Adam Enright said. “After that, he started to trust his fastball, pitched to more contact, and got us some quicker outs.”

The Oilmen's offense was in a rhythm for all of game one. Nick Daugherty went 4-for-4 in game one with an RBI. Brenden Stressler went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Jayden Comia and Colin Schmitke added to the offense in game one with both going 2-for-4. In game two the Oilmen lacked the hitting they had in game one. They only tallied three hits and one run in a game they would lose by just two runs. Nick Daugherty once again was the lone hot bat. Daugherty went 1-for-3 and ended his day 5-for-8.

“Daugherty just puts a lot of balls in play most games,” Enright said. “Any day you're limiting strikeouts and putting balls in play you put yourself in a position where you can run into some hits.”

The Oilmen improve to 25-18 after splitting the road doubleheader with the Panthers. The Oilmen will look to get a key win over the Elkhart County Miracle at Oil City Stadium in Whiting, Ind. Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 7:10 P.M.