The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – July 4, 2014 – Oilmen pitcher Cameron Linck turned in another quality start on Friday at Oil City Stadium, but the day belonged to Southland starter Tyler House.

The Oilmen scattered six hits and committed five errors, leading to a 7-3 Southland triumph. House went seven innings, yielding only one run on two hits while striking out six and walking none.

“I think maybe the guys know it’s the Fourth of July and were ready to get to their cookouts, but (House) threw strikes,” Huisman said. “He threw strikes with a couple pitches, kept us off balance a little bit and ran into some luck here and there. There were some balls that didn’t drop that if they would have dropped, they would have been in trouble.”

House carried a perfect game into the fifth inning until second baseman Mark Munizzi committed an error, allowing Larry Crisler to reach. After another Munizzi error allowed Crisler to advance safely to second on an Alec Ornelas fielder’s choice bouncer, Anthony Colosimo roped the first Oilmen hit of the game, plating a run.

The Oilmen added a tally as Ryan Burvan singled and scored in the eighth before Zack Jones, who was celebrating his 20^th birthday, lashed a run-scoring single in the ninth.

Linck was charged with three runs, two of which were earned, while striking out seven and walking one over seven innings. Linck, the Midwest Collegiate League wins leader, suffered his first defeat of the year to drop to 4-1. Linck and the Oilmen pitching staff attempted to work around five errors behind them as Northwest Indiana committed five miscues in a game for the third time this season.

“Some pitchers let it get to them and other pitchers get tough and just stay consistent no matter what happens out there,” Huisman said. “I’m proud of Cameron today, seven innings with only two earned runs against a team that’s swinging a hot bat. He did an outstanding job and we just ran into a tough pitcher.

Chase Fieldhouse and Jeff Boehm had two hits each to guide the Vikings. Stefano Belmonte rocketed a solo homer to lead off the fourth inning, the fourth Southland home run at Oil City Stadium this week. The Oilmen have yet to hit a home run out of their own park this year.

The Oilmen (15-9, 13-8 MCL) and the Vikings (13-8 MCL) are now tied for second in the Midwest Collegiate League standings, with both teams three games back of the DuPage County Hounds. The Oilmen and Vikings will meet again on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. at Oil City Stadium with the winner taking over sole possession of second place. It is Bark in the Park Night at the ballpark with all fans encouraged to bring their dogs to the game.