05/31/2014 10:47 AM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
Northwest Indiana Oilmen (2-0)
at DuPage County Hounds (1-0)
May 31, 2014 • 6 p.m. (CT) • Lisle, Ill.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
Several different Oilmen players will be playing against their college teammates in this matchup. Ryan Burvan will square off with fellow Purdue Boilermakers Adam Dressler and Mike Frawley, while four different players from Akron will compete in this game. DuPage’s Josh Davis and Brian Lees both play for the Zips during the regular season, while James Meeker and Myles McVeigh represent Akron for NWI. In addition, Oilmen pitcher Anthony Gomez is playing opposite Ball State teammate Mike Roberson. Valparaiso is also represented on both rosters, with pitcher Scott Jerge playing for the Oilmen and outfielder Emerson Misch playing for the Hounds.
Insider the Oilmen
The Oilmen are off to a 2-0 start for the first time in team history. After a 2-1 win over Lexington on opening night, NWI blasted Joliet 13-2 on Friday. The Oilmen took advantage of four Admiral errors in the first two innings, scoring six unearned runs while sprinting out to a 7-0 lead. Hill College’s Cameron Linck went five strong innings to earn the win in his Oilmen debut. Jack Czeszewski of Illinois State clubbed three doubles in the victory.
Inside the Hounds
Last season, the Hounds posted the league’s all-time best regular season winning percentage by going 24-11 (.686), but they were ousted from the postseason after losing back-to-back games to the eventual MCL Champion Southland Vikings in the opening round. The Hounds picked up a season-opening win on Friday, fending off a Chicago rally to beat the Zephyrs 8-7 in 11 innings. Chicago scored three runs in the seventh and three more in the eight to take a 7-5 lead, but the Hounds plated two in the bottom of the eighth to force extras. DuPage starter Patrick Bellinger pitched six innings and allowed just one run, which was unearned.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen are 9-6 all-time against the DuPage County Hounds. The two teams have split the eight meetings that have taken place at Benedictine Stadium. The Oilmen fell 7-4 to DuPage on June 1, 2012 in the first game in the history of both franchises. The last time the two clubs met was the 2013 regular season finale, when the Hounds prevailed 6-2 to secure the regular season league title.
Around the League
Tonight features a full slate of MCL games with Lexington hosting a double header against Chicago and Southland visiting Joliet in addition to this matchup. The Oilmen are atop the league standings at 2-0, but the Vikings and Hounds are also undefeated at 1-0 thus far.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes.
