07/17/2014 2:17 PM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
Joliet Admirals (7-24)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (20-12, 18-11)
July 17, 2014 • 7:10 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen enter Thursday’s game riding a three-game winning streak with victories over Southland, DuPage County and the Zephyrs. The Oilmen pitching staff continued to shine as Scott Jerge tossed five scoreless innings to earn the win before relievers Andrew Jackson and Andrew Lowe heaved two frames apiece to preserve the shutout. The Oilmen pitching staff has kept them in games all week as Cameron Linck, Keith Mahler and Danny Pobereyko all proceeded Jerge with strong starts. Danny Pobereyko has remarkably struck out 19 batters and walked none over his last two starts, lifting him into the team lead in strikeouts with 41. Pobereyko also ranks second in the league in total strikeouts and first in the Midwest Collegiate League in strikeout to walk ratio, with 41 strikeouts against just three bases on balls.
Inside the Oilmen
Although the Oilmen have not officially named a starting pitcher for Thursday’s game against the Admirals, they are expected to turn to Crown Point graduate Nick Nauracy. Nauracy holds a 3-2 record and 5.72 earned run average in 10 games, four starts, this season. However, he has been effective in a starting role, including his most recent outing. Nauracy scattered seven hits while allowing only one run and striking out seven in a 4-1 victory over Lexington on July 11. Nauracy faced the Admirals on June 29, picking up the victory while allowing two runs (one earned) over five innings.
Inside the Admirals
The Admirals are on the brink of elimination from playoff contention and have lost seven consecutive games. Joliet is 1-9 over its last 10 contests. Although their record would not indicative it, the Admirals have been a competitive club this season, losing a large number of close games, including a pair of one-run losses at Oil City Stadium. Joliet rallied from a 4-1 deficit to take a 5-4 lead into the eighth inning on Wednesday night at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. The Vikings scored one run in the eighth and one more in the ninth to walk-off with the victory.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen have taken four of the first five meetings with the Joliet Admirals this season. The last time the Admirals ventured to Oil City Stadium, they picked up an 8-2 victory on June 26. The Oilmen are 14-2 all-time against the Rockford/Joliet franchise. Thursday is the final time the two teams will play in Northwest Indiana this season, but the Oilmen are slated to visit Joliet on July 24 and 25.
Around the League
The Oilmen are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot, currently sitting in third place in the league standings. The Oilmen are three games back of first-place DuPage County and ½ game behind second-place Southland. The only other MCL game on Thursday is between the Hounds and Zephyrs at Waubonsee Community College.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
