07/18/2014 1:28 PM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
Lexington Snipes (18-13)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (21-12, 19-11)
July 18, 2014 • 7:10 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen have now won four consecutive games after a drama-filled 2-1 triumph over Joliet on Thursday night. The Oilmen played in their first extra-inning game all season and also came up with their first walk-off victory of the year. Lake Central graduate Ryan Burvan provided the heroics with an opposite-field hit to the gap in right-center to drive in Andrew Ray in the bottom of the 11th. The “Local Plus Linck” Oilmen pitching staff shined again as Crown Point graduate Nick Nauracy tossed six quality innings before turning the ball over to Anthony Gomez (Munster), Kevin Jones (Portage) and winning pitcher Matt Pobereyko (Bishop Noll).
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen have officially clinched a spot in the Midwest Collegiate League playoffs for the third consecutive year. Joliet and the Zephyrs have both been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, meaning that the playoff field is set for 2014. Ryan Burvan finished Thursday’s game with four hits, one shy of tying a franchise record for hits in a single game. Alec Ornelas provided Oilmen fans with a dash of déjà vu on Thursday night. Ornelas cracked a game-tying double in a nearly identical situation to his RBI double on Monday night against Southland. Both came with two outs in the sixth inning and tied the game at one. Although the Oilmen have not officially named a starting pitcher, left-hander Jimmy McNamara is expected to face the Snipes on Friday.
Inside the Snipes
By the time the Lexington Snipes make their way to Oil City Stadium on Friday night, they will be partaking in their second nine-inning game of the day. The Snipes and DuPage County Hounds will play a rare neutral-site game on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Homewood-Flossmoor High School to make up an earlier rainout. While the Oilmen have endured their busiest stretch of the season, the Snipes have played only one game in the last four days leading up to Friday. They lost that game 4-0 at the paws of the Hounds.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen have had good success in head-to-head meetings with Lexington this season, capturing four of the first five meetings. NWI holds an all-time record of 10-4 against the Snipes and 7-2 in games that take place at Oil City Stadium. The most recent matchup was a 4-1 Oilmen victory on July 11.
Around the League
First-place DuPage County fell in an early 6-0 hole against the Chicago Zephyrs on Thursday night, but the Hounds rallied for a 9-7 victory to stay three games ahead of the Oilmen. With Thursday’s victory, the Oilmen drew even with the Southland Vikings for second-place in the MCL with both squads holding 19-11 league records. With three different games taking place all involving playoff teams, Friday could cause a large shake-up in the MCL standings.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
