06/16/2014 9:36 PM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
Michigan City Lakers
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (8-4, 7-3)
June 17, 2014 • 7:10 p.m. (CT) • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: None
Internet: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen are off to an 8-4 start through 12 games, a one-game improvement on their record through 12 contests from a season ago. During the league championship season of 2012, the Oilmen were 9-3 through 12 games. The Oilmen have historically hit a hot stretch at about the same point each season. In 2012, the Oilmen won six straight from June 14-21. Last season, they won five consecutive games from June 11-16. Northwest Indiana carries a five-game winning streak into Tuesday night. With a win over Michigan City, the Oilmen can tie the record for the longest winning streak in team history.
Inside the Oilmen
While the Oilmen scoring output has increased during the five-game winning streak, the six through nine hitters in the lineup have had their struggles. This season, the six through nine hitters have a .220 batting average (33-for-150), while the first five batters in the order are hitting .278 (65-for-234). As a team, the Oilmen rank third in the league in run scoring behind Lexington and DuPage County. NWI ranks second in the Midwest Collegiate League in batting average behind only the Lexington Snipes. The Oilmen are fifth of the six teams in earned run average at 3.82. However, when removing the 17-5 loss to Lexington on June 1, the Oilmen are second in the league with a 2.66 team ERA.
Inside the Lakers
The Lakers are in their second season of playing nonleague games against Midwest Collegiate League opponents. In addition to the games against the Oilmen, Michigan City meets the Southland Vikings on June 24, July 7 and July 11. The Lakers are playing their home games at Marquette Athletic Complex this season after previously playing at Diamond Cove Park.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen hold a 6-3 lead in the all-time series with the Michigan City Lakers. This is the third and final meeting of the year between the two teams with the season series even at one game apiece. The road team was victorious in each of the previous two matchups.
Around the League
With no Midwest Collegiate League games taking place on Tuesday, the Oilmen will remain 1.5 games behind DuPage County for the top spot in the standings, regardless of the outcome of the game against Michigan City. The Hounds visit Lexington on Wednesday, while the Oilmen head to Southland.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
