The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – July 17, 2014 – The Northwest Indiana Oilmen pulled out a dramatic, 2-1 victory in an 11-inning game against the Joliet Admirals on Thursday night.

With the Northwest Indiana Oilmen having their sixth game in five days and coming off a victory over the Chicago Zephyrs on Wednesday, the team turned to starting pitcher Nick Nauracy, who is eventually picked up the win to improve to 4-2.

“I have not been rushing so much. Getting ahead of batters is key,” Nauracy said. “My pitches were breaking all game and were effective.”

Nauracy pitched well on Thursday despite getting limited run support from the Oilmen offense, getting one run as he went six innings taking no decision only allowing one run and throwing seven strikeouts. 

“Another good performance, He made pitches when he had to,” Oilmen manager Justin Huisman said. “He had good stuff tonight and battled.”

The Oilmen now have a 20-12 overall record and 18-11 in the MCL after defeating the Joliet Admirals (7-23) by the score of 2-1, walking off in the 11th inning with an RBI single by Ryan Burvan with the first extra-inning game for the Oilmen all season, and now have only lost one time to the Admirals this season.

Both teams were scoreless until Ryan Kent started the scoring in the game for the Admirals in the third inning with an RBI bloop single to right. 

Admirals starter Quinn Ahern, who pitched against the Oilmen on June 13, made his second straight strong start against the Oilmen. Ahern went 10 innings and allowing only one run, receiving no decision. Brock Borgeson came on to pitch the 11^th and took the loss.

The Oilmen got on the board with an RBI double by catcher Alec Ornelas. The Oilmen were rallying in the seventh inning with runners on first and third with one out, but Ahern got out of it.

Going into the seventh inning the Oilmen turned to Anthony Gomez, hoping to rebound after taking the loss in Monday’s first game of a doubleheader against the Southland Vikings. Gomez bounced back and answered the call, pitching the seventh and eighth inning keeping the game tied at one.

The Oilmen failed to score in the eighth inning despite having runners on second and third with no outs.

Kevin Jones pitched a scoreless ninth inning and tenth inning to keep the score tied at one.

“I did not want use much of my starter and bullpen. I am glad Matt only pitched one inning tonight,” Huisman said.

The Oilmen and Admirals went to extra innings it was the first extra-inning game for the Oilmen all season and the Oilmen walked off in the 11th inning with an RBI single by Burvan.

“He has been swinging the bat well the last few days. He has been taking good BP,” Huisman said. “I knew if the pitcher made a mistake Burvan would make good wood on it.

The Oilmen will take on the Lexington Snipes on Friday night, still trailing the DuPage County Hounds by 2 ½ games after the Hounds defeated the Chicago Zephyrs. Friday night’s game is Scout Night at Oil City Stadium and Family Friday where kids under 12 get free admission to the game.