06/14/2014 10:20 AM -
For Starters
The Oilmen scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on Friday night to edge the Joliet Admirals 2-1. Zack Jones lifted a sacrifice fly, plating Nate Schneider for the run that proved to be the difference in the game. Starter Cameron Linck recorded nine strikeouts, finishing one shy of the Oilmen franchise record established by Josh Negele in 2012. Linck turned in five quality innings, but received no decision as Anthony Gomez earned the win in relief.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen are in the midst of their first three-game winning streak of the season and have a chance to win four straight for the first time since rapping off five in a row from June 18-24, 2013. Matt Pobereyko converted his fifth save on Friday, tying his own Midwest Collegiate League record for saves in a season only 10 games into the year. No other pitcher in the league has more than one save this season.
Inside the Zephyrs
The Chicago Zephyrs have dropped eight of their first 10 games this season. They are actually off to a better start than a year ago, when Chicago lost 10 of its first 11. Both of Chicago’s wins this season came against the Southland Vikings. The Zephyrs pitching staff as a whole has struggled, allowing an average of 7.1 runs per game. Chicago is coming off a 14-2 defeat to Lexington on Friday.
About the Matchup
Saturday’s game is the first meeting of the year between the Oilmen and Zephyrs. The Oilmen hold a 10-2 all-time record against Chicago and are a perfect 6-0 in head-to-head matchups played at Oil City Stadium. The Zephyrs are 0-8 all-time in games played at Oil City Stadium with two of those losses coming in the 2011 MCL playoffs against the Will County CrackerJacks.
Around the League
The Oilmen have moved within 1.5 games of first-place DuPage County as the Hounds fell 10-7 to Southland on Friday night. The Joliet Admirals play four games over the next two days with double headers scheduled at Wayne King Field Saturday and Sunday. The Admirals host Southland and DuPage on Saturday.
