06/21/2014 7:33 PM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
Northwest Indiana Oilmen (10-4, 8-3)
at DuPage County Hounds (12-3)
June 22, 2014 • 6 p.m. (CT) • Lisle, Ill.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen set the record for the longest winning streak in franchise history by capturing their seventh straight victory on Friday night, 1-0 over Joliet. They have also tied a Midwest Collegiate League record and have a chance for the longest winning streak in league history with a victory over the Hounds on Sunday. Cameron Linck improved to 3-0 with six innings of shutout baseball before Matt Pobereyko sealed the deal for his seventh save. Zack Jones launched a double off the brick wall that surrounds the scoreboard in left to drive in the only run of the game.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen have a knack for winning close games this season. Eight of Northwest Indiana’s 10 victories have come by three runs or fewer. Overall, 10 of the team’s 14 games have been decided by three runs or fewer with NWI 8-2 in those games. The Oilmen are also 5-0 in one-run games this season. Friday was the first victory in Oilmen history decided by the score of 1-0. The Oilmen were previously 0-2 in 1-0 games, falling to Lexington and Chicago in such contests in 2013. James Meeker shifted to the leadoff spot in the batting order on Friday, becoming the fourth different leadoff man utilized by Justin Huisman this season. Larry Crisler (Bishop Noll / Indiana University) has reported to the Oilmen and was in uniform for Friday’s game.
Inside the Hounds
Something must give during Sunday’s battle of the two top teams in the Midwest Collegiate League. The Hounds are also red hot and hold a six-game winning streak of their own. The Hounds have held the top spot in the Midwest Collegiate League standings since winning seven straight to start the season. Alex Cain leads the Hounds in batting average at .415, while Drew Sterioti leads the club in RBIs with 10. Patrick Bellinger has a 0.60 ERA in four games, while Pat Cashman has posted a 1.50 ERA and struck out 18 in his three starts.
About the Matchup
The Hounds are the only team in the Midwest Collegiate League that the Oilmen have not yet defeated this season. The Oilmen fell to the Hounds 8-1 in DuPage on May 31 before suffering a 6-3 defeat on June 5 at Oil City Stadium. The Oilmen hold a slip 9-8 lead in the all-time series against the Hounds and are 4-5 all-time in games played at Benedictine University.
Around the League
University of Illinois pitcher Matthew James threw a no-hitter against Joliet on Saturday, becoming just the second pitcher in Midwest Collegiate League history to do so. James struck out 12 in 6-1 Snipes victory. The game lasted only seven innings because it was the first game of a doubleheader. The only other no-hitter in Midwest Collegiate League history was thrown by Luke Harrison of the DeKalb County Liners, who held the Rockford Foresters hitless in a 1-0 victory on July 22, 2012.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
