The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Joliet, Ill. – June 29, 2014 –The Northwest Indiana Oilmen earned their third straight victory on Sunday, defeating the Joliet Admirals 12-4.

The game had a later start than expected. The Oilmen and Admirals were scheduled to start at 12 p.m. but the Zephyrs and the Admirals had a game the two had to make up from a previous rainout. The Admirals played two full nine inning games in a single day.

Nick Nauracy, a Crown Point native, was on the mound for the Oilmen as Tomas Aguilar started for the Admirals.

Ryan Burvan started out the game with an infield single, but was picked off quickly by Aguilar. Kevin DeFilippis was able to draw a walk and the Oilmen were starting a rally in the early going in the first inning. Jason Gasser got a single to make it runners on the corners.  Craig Dedelow hit a double down the first base line to start the scoring for the Oilmen. Nate Schneider got a RBI single to make it 2-0.

The Oilmen tacked a total of five hits on three runs in the first inning to give Nauracy run support early on.

Nauracy, who struggled last time against the Admirals in one inning of relief, bounced back on Sunday.

Nauracy was making quick work of the Admirals this time, cruising through the first two innings allowing only one hit and throwing three strikeouts.

The Admirals were able to get on the scoreboard by scoring two runs in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI single and a throwing error by right fielder Jason Gasser.

The Oilmen scored three more runs in the top of the third inning with help from wobbly Joliet defense. Aguilar started to struggle to the start the fourth inning and Admirals manager Jorge Garza took the walk to the mound to replace Aguilar with Brock Borgeson.

The Oilmen were not done pouring runs in the game, scoring three more runs in the fourth inning. Jason Gasser started out with an RBI double, and a key two out hit by Oilmen catcher Alec Ornelas made it 9-2 in favor of the Oilmen. 

Nauracy’s day was done after the fifth inning as he was able to rebound Sunday afternoon against the Admirals, going five innings only allowing one earned run, throwing three walks and five strikeouts throwing a strikeout every inning. He picked up the win to improve to 2-2.

“I went out there and had to make pitches. I found my spots that I needed,” Nauracy said. “I told myself I had to pitch better than I did on Thursday.”

Oilmen manager Justin Huisman was impressed by Nauracy’s start.

“He had good command today out there outside of one inning,” Huisman said. “Nick did better at getting ahead of batters, not like last time against Joliet.”

Oilmen reliever Andrew Lowe was able to get out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth inning, but gave up a run in the seventh inning. Anthony Gomez came into the game for the eighth inning, giving up a run to the Admirals but that was all.

Oilmen had a huge offensive game from an unlikely source as Orenlas had his best game in an Oilmen uniform he went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and three RBIs.

“I have been working on things all week. I have been trying to improve so much the last few days and my results today showed it,” Ornelas said.

“I know he is happy about his performance. He has been frustrated all week about his struggles,” Huisman said.

“We were able to get good starts and defense helped us out along with our bats coming alive,” Huisman said. “If we continue to have good pitching and timely hitting we should continue rolling.”

Aguilar, the Admirals started, lasted just three innings and was hit with the loss.

The Oilmen (14-7, 12-6) will travel to Homewood-Floosmoor High School Monday night to take on the rival Southland Vikings, before  hosting the Veterans Benefit Game on Tuesday night at Oil City Stadium with 60 percent of all ticket revenue benefiting the Veterans Build Project.