Oilmen fall to hot Panthers team Whiting, Ind. – July 30, 2023 – The Northwest Indiana Oilmen traveled to Highland, Ind. for some Sunday afternoon baseball. The Oilmen fell to the Indiana Panthers 3-0 as the Panthers clinched a playoff berth. In the seven-inning contest, the Panthers starter Hunter Niksch, who went the distance. Niksch held the Oilmen scoreless while striking out eight and walking two. Oilmen starter Brandon Laux allowed two runs in the first, but went scoreless in his next two innings of work. Laux struck out five while only walking one. Tyler Laux pitched the last three innings. Laux held the Panthers to just one run and struck out five while walking none. “Niksch commanded two pitches for strikes and made good pitches with runners on,” manager Adam Enright said. “It's nice that we are always in games late even if we aren’t hitting well.” The Oilmen struggled to find any offense all game. The team totaled just four hits and scored no runs. Cain Headrick and Randy Seymour continued their hot weeks, both going 1-for-3 with singles hit into the outfield. The Panthers were able to score three runs on their four hits to propel them over the Oilmen. “It usually goes that pitching will help to carry you in the playoffs,” Enright said. “Seems like all four teams who are in the playoffs have some really big pitchers at the top of the rotation.” The Oilmen fall to 27-22 and will be back in action Tuesday evening at Oil City Stadium in Whiting, Ind. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. |