The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

The Northwest Indiana Oilmen, who were 2-2 heading into the week, had a slumping offense outside of the 13 run outburst against the Admirals.

For the first game of the week, the Oilmen traveled to Homewood-Flossmoor High School to take on the Southland Vikings.

The Oilmen did not have much offense in the game, scoring two runs in the game. However, that was all the Oilmen needed as former Lake Central pitcher Jimmy McNamara went six innings giving up four hits without allowing a run while striking out seven.

The Oilmen offense struck in the top of the second inning with two outs when Anthony Colosimo and Ryan Burvan had RBI hits.

The bullpen would do the rest for the Oilmen. Garrett Sherrell threw two strong innings in relief and Matt Pobereyko came in and picked up his second save as the Oilmen defeated the Vikings 2-0.

The Oilmen were rained out on Wednesday, and were getting ready to take on the 4-0 DuPage Couny Hounds on Thursday night at Oil City Stadium. The Oilmen scored three runs in the game and left 10 on base.

“It’s situational hitting. You can go up there without a plan,” Oilmen manager Justin Huisman said on the approach of the offense.

The Oilmen scored first on an error and a wild pitch by the Hounds, going ahead 2-0. However, the Hounds did not go down that easily. The Hounds scored three runs in the second inning while scoring two in the third inning off Oilmen Starter Danny Pobereyko.

The Oilmen had runners on second and third with one out in the third and fifth innings, but were not able to score any runs. Hounds starter Tomas Michelson was able to get out of many jams he faced throughout the game despite the shaky first inning.

The Oilmen tried to rally in the ninth inning, but it was a little too late for the Oilmen as the Hounds defeated them 6-3.

The Oilmen looked for some confidence in their offense on Friday by playing the Michigan City Lakers, a nonleague opponent. Once again the Oilmen offense struggled, only scoring one run as Lakers starter Dan Snyder went seven strong innings.

The Oilmen starting pitcher Keith Mahler was in a jam in the first allowing the first run of the game on a bases loaded walk to Laker Nick Latham. The Lakers scored again in the top of the seventh inning with help from an Oilmen error.

The Oilmen scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning as Kevin DeFilippis and Jason Gasser both singled in the frame. Those would only be two of three hits for the Oilmen in the game.  The Lakers held on and won 3-1.

The Oilmen had a quick turnaround Saturday afternoon as the team had to travel to Michigan City and faced the Lakers at Marquette Athletic Complex.

The Oilmen power came to life Saturday afternoon as Akron’s James Meeker hit the first home run of the season for the Oilmen.

In the sixth inning, Andrew Ray hit the second home run of the season for the Oilmen.

Cameron Linck was the starting pitcher for the Oilmen, as he improved to 2-0 on the season while throwing five strong innings and giving up two runs.

The win versus the Lakers on Saturday afternoon puts the Oilmen at a 4-4 record overall, 3-3 in Midwest Collegiate League games. The Oilmen have four home games next week, and have a slew of special events lined up next week. Thursday is Strikeout ALS night at the ballpark. Friday is Zombie Apocalypse, Saturday is Super Heroes Night and Sunday is Father’s Day, where kids can play catch with dad on the field following the game.