06/29/2014 5:06 AM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
2014 VETERANS BENEFIT GAME
Southland Vikings (10-8)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (14-7, 12-6)
July 1, 2014 • 7:30 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB (Special Pregame Coverage Begins at 7 p.m.)
Internet: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
There is one night each year where the baseball comes secondary to a more important cause at Oil City Stadium. Tuesday is the annual Veterans Benefit Game with 60 percent of all ticket revenue benefiting the Veterans Build Project, a joint effort between Habitat for Humanity and the Northwest Indiana Veterans Action Council to build a home for a veteran family in need. Ceremonial first pitches will be thrown out by former World War II Marine Bill Wellman, Gold Star Mother Patti Nowaczyk and U.S. Military All-Stars General Manager Karl Seiter. Hammond police officer and Desert Storm veteran Sean Garrison will perform the National Anthem. In addition, the 20th Indiana Volunteer Infantry will be on hand for the pregame festivities.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen are seeking their fourth consecutive victory on Tuesday night. They were scheduled to play Southland at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in a makeup game on Monday, but that game was again rained out. It will now be played on Monday, July 14 as part of a doubleheader with the first game beginning at 5 p.m. The Oilmen defeated the Joliet Admirals 12-4 on Sunday as Nick Nauracy tossed five strong innings, allowing one earned run on three hits to pick up the win. The Oilmen banged out 17 hits including five doubles and were aided by four Admirals’ errors. Alec Ornelas had his best offensive game of the season, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Starting pitching has been a strong point for the Oilmen all season long. Northwest Indiana’s starting pitcher has gone at least five innings and allowed one earned run or fewer in 13 of the team’s 21 games this season. Bishop Noll graduate and right-handed pitcher Danny Pobereyko is expected to start Tuesday’s game for the Oilmen.
Inside the Vikings
While the Oilmen have relied on their pitching staff this season, Southland has hit for the highest batting average in the league at .293. The Vikings’ offense thrived this weekend as it exploded for 19 runs in a 19-8 rout of DuPage on Saturday before downing Lexington 10-3 on Sunday. The Vikings are expected to send St. Xavier University right-hander Dan Wetzel to the mound Tuesday against the Oilmen.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen had Southland’s number in the month of June, capturing all three games in the season series. The Oilmen now lead the all-time series with the Vikings 13-12. The most recent meeting between the two teams was a 3-2 Oilmen victory on June 23. Danny Pobereyko pitched five shutout innings of three-hit ball to earn the win.
Around the MCL
The DuPage County Hounds dropped back-to-back games to the Oilmen and Vikings on Saturday and Sunday, before having off days Sunday and Monday. The first-place Hounds have seen their lead over the Oilmen diminish to 2.5 games. The Hounds visit the Chicago Zephyrs on Tuesday.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
