The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – July 1, 2014 – Postgame fireworks were scheduled to take place following Tuesday’s Veterans Benefit Game at Oil City Stadium, but the fireworks started early courtesy of the Southland Vikings’ offense.

The Vikings pounded out 23 hits on their way to a 14-8 triumph over the Oilmen. Southland has now scored 43 runs over its last three games.

“Their main guys are experienced,” Oilmen manager Justin Huisman said. “They’re becoming some of the older guys in the league and they’ve done an outstanding job every year offensively. When you combine talent with experience like that, you can expect some good things.”

Prior to Tuesday night, only one home run had been hit out of Oil City Stadium all season. In Tuesday’s slugfest, three balls batted by the Vikings sailed over the fence. Dan Potempa set the tone with a two-run homer in the first before belting another home run in the ninth. Bobby Shepard blasted one over the scoreboard in left to lead off the third inning.

Oilmen starter Danny Pobereyko departed after four innings, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits. Pobereyko was hit with the loss to drop to 2-2. The hit parade continued against Oilmen relievers Scott Jerge, Andrew Jackson, Matt Pobereyko and Aaron Glatt.

“The location wasn’t very good,” Huisman said. “Danny had decent stuff, but he was elevating the ball. For the most part, guys were up in the zone today and you’re not going to get away with that with this team.”

Southland’s Bobby Shepard went 5-for-6 with a home run, two doubles and three runs batted in to pace the Vikings. Jeff Boehm enjoyed a four-hit day and drove in three runs. Dan Wetzel earned the win despite allowing five earned runs on eight hits over five innings.

Bishop Noll graduate Larry Crisler went 4-for-5, while Munster product Craig Dedelow collected three hits and drove in three. The Oilmen have scored 20 runs over the last two games.

“I’m very pleased with that,” Huisman said. “The last two games were exciting. The guys are starting to get some confidence. Our pitching has done a great job so far with the exception of a few games. If our pitching staff can continue to do well and our hitters come around like they have the last few games, we should have a good finish.”

The Oilmen are off on Wednesday before heading to Lexington for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch against the Lexington Snipes on Thursday night. Please note the change from the originally scheduled start time of 7:10 p.m. and the change of location from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington to High Desert Field in Lexington.

The Oilmen (14-8, 12-7) now trail the DuPage County Hounds by 3.5 games in the Midwest Collegiate League standings.