The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Sugar Grove, Ill. – July 16, 2014 – With the Oilmen short on available arms due to a busy week of baseball including two doubleheaders, manager Justin Huisman turned to swingman Scott Jerge to start Wednesday’s game against the Chicago Zephyrs.

Jerge answered the bell, twirling five shutout innings while allowing only three hits and one walk in a 6-0 Oilmen triumph. The Munster High School graduate and Valparaiso University hurler earned the victory, his first decision of the year.

The Oilmen provided Jerge with a prompt burst of run support, scoring three times in the first inning to take immediate control. Craig Dedelow scored the first run of the game on a throwing error by catcher Brent Minta. Jason Gasser, Zack Jones and Ryan Burvan all contributed singles, while Alec Ornelas drew a walk and came around to score as a part of the first-inning rally.

The Oilmen went back to work offensively in the fourth inning, when they tacked on two runs on a clutch, two-out single by James Meeker. Gasser legged out an infield single for his third hit of the game in the sixth inning, eventually crossing the dish on a wild pitch.  

The Oilmen (20-12, 18-11 MCL) have defeated the Zephyrs (4-23) in four of the five meetings between the two teams this season. In those four victories, the Oilmen have outscored the Zephyrs 29-1 with three shutouts.

After Jerge departed prior to the sixth, Wednesday’s shutout was preserved by a pair of Oilmen relievers with the first name of Andrew. The Zephyrs threatened in the sixth inning against Andrew Jackson, but the Wabash College southpaw worked out of the inning, stranding runners at second and third. Jackson stayed on for the seventh, tossing another scoreless frame.

Whiting High School product Andrew Lowe recorded the final six outs against the Zephyrs, a team he played for during the 2013 season. Lowe struck out the side in the ninth and fanned four hitters over the two frames.

The Oilmen received offensive production from a variety of sources as Gasser, Meeker, Jones, Burvan and Brodie Meyer all enjoyed multi-hit games. Pending the outcome of Wednesday’s other games, the Oilmen now sit 2 ½ games behind first-place DuPage County, tied with Southland for second place in the MCL standings.

The Oilmen start a five-game, four-day homestand on Thursday night against the Joliet Admirals. It’s a Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark with $1 Miller Lite drafts, pop and water available at the stadium concession stand.