07/05/2014 9:45 PM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
Chicago Zephyrs (4-16)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (15-10, 13-9)
July 8, 2014 • 5:30 p.m. • Sugar Grove, Ill.
Radio: None
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen are in the midst of the lightest stretch of the season, playing only one game over five days. Eight Oilmen will participate in Wednesday’s Midwest Collegiate League All-Star Game, while the rest of the squad will enjoy back-to-back days off before resuming play on Friday night against Lexington. Any opponent outside of the Southland Vikings is a welcome one for the Oilmen, who dropped three home games to the Vikings last week. The Oilmen received a boost to the pitching staff on Saturday as Northern Illinois commit and Portage High School graduate Kevin Jones joined the team. Jones worked a scoreless inning in his Midwest Collegiate League debut against the Vikings. Butler infielder Brodie Meyer has rejoined the team, but is still available for game action. He has not played this summer due to a neck injury.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen allowed 24 runs over three home games against the Southland Vikings last week, including a 13-3 loss in their most recent game on Saturday. Northwest Indiana has allowed the opposing team to score 10 or more runs in a game four different times this season. The Oilmen used a season-high six different pitchers in Saturday night’s game. The Oilmen offense had just one hit – an infield single by Nick Vogelmeier - through the first seven innings against Southland’s Brandon White on Saturday night.
Inside the Zephyrs
The Zephyrs enter Tuesday’s game well rested after enjoying six consecutive off days. In their most recent game, the Zephyrs fell to DuPage County 5-3 on July 1. Chicago’s most recent victory was a 5-4, 10-inning win over Joliet on June 29. The Oilmen players witnessed the conclusion of that game while waiting to take on the Admirals. Chicago is without the services of ace pitcher Ben Krusen for the rest of the season. Krusen, who pitched a complete game victory against the Oilmen on June 25, has left the team.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen have taken two of the first three meetings between the two teams this season, winning 8-0 on June 14 at Oil City Stadium and 7-1 on June 28 at Waubonsee Community College. Those victories were sandwiched around an 11-2 loss to the Zephyrs on June 25 at Oil City Stadium. The Oilmen lead the all-time series with the Zephyrs 12-3.
Around the League
There has been a significant amount of shake-up in the Midwest Collegiate League over the last week. The Oilmen find themselves in fourth place in the league standings, the lowest they have been at any point this season. Southland has won nine straight games and scored 107 runs over those nine games. Southland defeated Joliet 21-0 on Sunday, establishing the franchise record for runs scored in a single game and margin of victory. Previously, the highest run total in a Vikings game was 20 on July 4, 2012 in a 20-11 victory over Rockford. Southland’s previous largest margin of victory was 15 on June 26, 2012, a 15-0 victory over the Zephyrs. The Hounds lead over the Vikings for the top spot in the MCL is down to ½ of a game.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
