The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – June 26, 2014 – The Northwest Indiana Oilmen suffered their second consecutive loss on Thursday, falling to the Joliet Admirals 8-2.

The Admirals jumped in front with a first inning tally against Oilmen starter Scott Jerge, but the Oilmen responded with a run on a Kevin DeFilippis sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. Jerge settled in and worked five strong innings as the game remained tied 1-1 through his departure.

The sixth inning served as the turning point of the game as the Admirals plated six runs against Nick Nauracy, who took the loss to fall to 1-2. Only two of the six runs were earned as the Oilmen committed three errors in the inning. Two of those errors were charged to shortstop Nick Vogelmeier on the same play as he mishandled a ground ball, allowing Michael Di’Viesti to reach before making an errant throw to the plate to allow an extra run to score.

The Oilmen committed five total errors for the second straight day.

“I’m not happy,” Oilmen manager Justin Huisman said. “I think sometimes if you let yourself get down like that, it makes it harder to get out of a slump. Some of these guys are struggling offensively, and they let their body language go a little bit. Sometimes when you let yourself get like that mentally, you can lose it out there too.”

Andrew Ray went 2-for-2 to lead the Oilmen offense, reaching base in all four plate appearances. James Meeker and Nate Schneider contributed two hits each. Alec Ornelas lifted a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning for the second Oilmen run of the game.

Joliet (4-13) snapped a 10-game losing streak with the victory. Eric Littler picked up the win with two innings of relief.

“I don’t know if there was any letdown the last two days playing the bottom two teams, but there’s no excuse,” Huisman said. “Any team here can beat you at any time, but who knows. We’ll see if there’s more effort (Friday) night, I know I’d like to see it.”

The Oilmen (11-7, 9-6 Midwest Collegiate League) face off with the first-place DuPage County Hounds on Friday at 7:10 p.m. It is a BP Family Friday at the ballpark with all fans age 12 and younger receiving free admission to the game.