06/26/2014 2:27 PM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
Joliet Admirals (3-13)
Northwest Indiana Oilmen (11-6, 9-5)
June 26, 2014 • 7:10 p.m. (CT) • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: None
Internet: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen are attempting to bounce back from an 11-2 loss to the Chicago Zephyrs on Wednesday night. The Oilmen committed five errors, three of which came in the second inning. Wednesday’s game was the first time the Oilmen committed five errors in one game since June 9, 2013, a 9-5 loss to DuPage County. The highest error total ever is an Oilmen game is six, reached on June 1, 2012 in the first game in team history and again on June 27, 2012. The two hits were the fewest by the Oilmen in a regular season game in franchise history. The Oilmen were also limited to two hits in Game 2 of the 2013 Midwest Collegiate League Championship Series, a 4-1 loss to Southland.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen have been held to three runs or fewer in nine of their 17 games this season. They have produced a total of seven runs over their last four games. Larry Crisler has doubled twice three his first three games with the Oilmen. He cracked a two-bagger in the fourth inning for the first Oilmen hit of the game against Chicago’s Ben Krusen on Wednesday. The nine-run margin of victory of the Zephyrs’ largest since a 21-9 win over Rockford on July 26, 2012. The Zephyrs 11-run scoring output was also their largest since that same game against the Foresters.
Inside the Admirals
The Joliet Admirals venture to Oil City Stadium on Thursday night having lost 11 consecutive games. Four of those 11 losses have come by exactly one run. The Admirals have scored only 36 runs in 15 games this season, an average of 2.4 runs per game. Joliet ranks sixth of six Midwest Collegiate League teams in batting average at .181. The Admirals pitching staff has kept them in games as it leads the league with seven complete games.
About the Matchup
This is the fourth time the Oilmen and Admirals have hooked up this season, with Northwest Indiana taking all three prior meetings. The Oilmen were victorious 13-2 in Joliet on May 30 before pulling out 2-1 and 1-0 victories at Oil City Stadium. The Oilmen are 13-1 all-time against the Rockford/Joliet franchise.
Around the MCL
The DuPage County Hounds now hold a 4.5-game lead over the Oilmen for first place in the MCL. The Hounds have won eight consecutive games, setting the record for the longest winning streak in franchise history. Their next game will be against the Oilmen on Friday night at Oil City Stadium.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
