06/27/2014 2:14 PM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
DuPage County Hounds (16-3)
Northwest Indiana Oilmen (11-6, 9-5)
June 27, 2014 • 7:10 p.m. (CT) • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen have committed 10 errors in the last two games. This is the first time in franchise history the Oilmen have made five errors in back-to-back games. Northwest Indiana is attempting to bounce back from losses to the bottom two teams in the Midwest Collegiate League after falling 11-2 to Chicago on Wednesday and 8-2 to Joliet on Thursday. The Oilmen committed three errors in one inning in each of those games.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen are looking to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season with a win on Friday night. Remarkably, the Oilmen have not dropped three straight since June 22-July 1, 2012, when they lost six in a row. As a team the Oilmen are batting .241, fourth of six teams in the Midwest Collegiate League. The Oilmen rank third in the league in earned run average at 3.34.
Inside the Hounds
The DuPage County Hounds are in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, the longest in Midwest Collegiate League history. The Hounds have the best pitching staff in the league with a team earned run average of 2.32. They also lead the league in stolen bases with 70 successful swiped bags in 94 attempts. Joliet ranks second in the MCL in the stolen base department with 30 steals, 40 fewer than the Hounds. The Hounds are on pace to break their own team stolen base record of 115 set in 2012.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen are 0-3 against the first-place Hounds this season. DuPage County is the only team in the MCL that the Oilmen do not have a victory against this year. The Oilmen and Hounds have split the all-time series right down the middle with nine victories apiece. Northwest Indiana has stranded 10 runners on base in each of the last two meetings with DuPage County.
Around the League
The DuPage County Hounds have built a five-game lead over the Oilmen in the Midwest Collegiate League standings, with the Oilmen now tied with the Lexington Snipes in second place. The Oilmen are 9-6 while the Snipes are 10-7, both five games off the pace in the MCL.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
