07/19/2014 1:49 PM -
TONIGHT'S GAME:
DuPage County Hounds (23-11)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (21-13, 19-12)
July 19, 2014 • 7:10 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: None
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen played in the longest game in terms innings in team history on Friday night, falling 3-2 in 16 innings against Lexington. The game surpassed a 13-12 loss to DuPage County on June 30, 2013 that lasted 15 frames. Over the last four games, Oilmen relief pitchers have allowed one run over 19 innings, excluding the pitching appearance by position player Ryan Burvan on Friday night. The bullpen has a combined 0.47 ERA since Tuesday. The Oilmen used every available pitcher in Friday’s game. The only available players left unused on Friday night were outfielder Rob Blissitt and starting pitchers Cameron Linck and Danny Pobereyko.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen will need a strong outing out of starting pitcher Cameron Linck on Saturday night. Linck is working on four days rest after allowing one run over six innings on Monday night in a 2-1 loss to Southland. Linck will be facing the Hounds for the second time this season, holding them scoreless over seven innings while picking up the victory on June 27. Justin Huisman rarely uses a relief pitcher three consecutive nights, meaning closer Matt Pobereyko and left-handed setup man Anthony Gomez will most likely be unavailable on Saturday. Aaron Glatt is also unavailable after throwing 4 2/3 innings on Friday.
Inside the Hounds
While the Oilmen played 16 innings in one game on Friday, the Hounds are also weary after playing two nine-inning games, losing to both Lexington and Southland. The DuPage pitching staff scuffled, yielding seven runs in both games. The Hounds fell 7-2 to the Snipes in an afternoon affair at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, before dropping the nightcap 7-5 to the host Southland Vikings. The Hounds have led the Midwest Collegiate League for most of the summer, but that edge is down to 1 ½ games over second-place Southland. The Oilmen lead the all-time series over the rival Hounds 11-10.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen and Hounds are clashing for the third time in the last seven days, with the Oilmen falling 5-3 on Sunday in DuPage County before prevailing 2-1 on Tuesday night at Oil City Stadium. The Hounds hold a 4-2 edge in the season series with the Oilmen needing victories on Saturday and Tuesday, July 22 to avoid handing DuPage County the potential tie-breaker in the league standings.
Around the MCL
If the Oilmen win on Saturday night, their season series against every Midwest Collegiate League playoff team will come down to the final week of the regular season. The Oilmen and Vikings have split the first eight meetings 4-4 with the season set hinging on Wednesday’s game. The Oilmen lead the Snipes in the season series 4-2, but will have to travel to Lexington for a doubleheader to close the regular season on July 26. With one week remaining in the regular season, the top four teams could still finish in any order in the standings.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
