06/25/2014 1:11 PM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
Chicago Zephyrs (2-13)
Northwest Indiana Oilmen (11-5, 9-4)
June 25, 2014 • 7:10 p.m. (CT) • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: None
Internet: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen bounced back from Sunday’s loss to DuPage County with a 3-2 victory over Southland on Monday night. The Oilmen are now 9-1 in Midwest Collegiate League games played against opponents other than the DuPage County Hounds. The Oilmen have already played in seven one-run games this season and are 6-1 in such contests. The Oilmen have not surrendered the lead in any game this season. In all 11 games that the Oilmen have owned the lead at any point, they have gone on to win the game. Danny Pobereyko picked up his first win as a starting pitcher in his Oilmen career on Sunday after earning a victory in relief earlier this season.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen bullpen has been lights out as of late, particularly Matt Pobereyko at the back end. Pobereyko is 8-for-8 in converting save chances and has not allowed a run in any save situation this year. Pobereyko owns an 0.93 earned run average with the only run he has surrendered coming late in a lopsided game against the Lexington Snipes. He has worked seven consecutive scoreless innings since allowing a solo homer to Adam Casson on June 1. He has retired the side in order in five of his eight save chances and has not allowed more than one base runner in any of those outings. Scott Jerge has worked 9 2/3 innings and has not yet allowed an earned run this season, while Andrew Jackson has tossed three scoreless frames. The Oilmen pitching staff has used the strikeout weapon regularly. Northwest Indiana is the only team in the league with six different pitchers with 15 or more strikeouts this season: Nick Nauracy (21), Cameron Linck (20), Jimmy McNamara (18), Danny Pobereyko (17), Keith Mahler (16) and Matt Pobereyko (15).
Inside the Zephyrs
The Zephyrs rank fifth or sixth among MCL teams in every offensive category. They hold a .211 team batting average, .300 team on-base percentage and are the least-patient club in the MCL, drawing only 35 walks in 13 games. The Oilmen lead the league in bases on balls with 75. Andy Jaskolski is hitting .304 in nine games for Chicago, while Ben Krusen has the best ERA on the team at 5.29.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen won the only meeting between the two teams this season 8-0 on June 14. The Oilmen hold an 11-2 all-time record against Chicago and are a perfect 7-0 in head-to-head matchups played at Oil City Stadium. The Oilmen bounced the Zephyrs 8-0 on June 14. The Zephyrs are 0-9 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. The Zephyrs and Oilmen were scheduled to play last week on Thursday and Saturday, but both games were postponed due to rain. The Oilmen will make their first trip to Sugar Grove on Saturday for a noon start against the Zephyrs.
Around the League
The DuPage County Hounds defeated the Zephyrs 5-1 on Tuesday night for their seventh consecutive victory. The Hounds can set the Midwest Collegiate League record for most consecutive wins with a victory over Joliet on Wednesday afternoon.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
