07/20/2014 11:02 AM -
TONIGHT'S GAMES:
Chicago Zephyrs (8-23)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (21-14, 19-13)
July 20, 2014 • 4:10 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
For Starters
The Oilmen are set to close out a busy week of 10 games in eight days with a doubleheader against the Zephyrs on Sunday. The Oilmen fell 6-2 to DuPage County on Saturday night and must win game one on Sunday to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season. In Saturday’s game, 13 of the 27 Oilmen outs came with the Oilmen batter putting the first pitch of the at-bat in play. In games against the three other Midwest Collegiate League playoff teams, the Oilmen have averaged 3.8 runs per game. In total, the Oilmen have been limited to three runs or fewer in 19 of their 35 games this season.
Inside the Oilmen
The playoff-bound Oilmen rank fourth in the Midwest Collegiate League with a team batting average at .244. They are also fourth in the league in runs scored with 151. Opposing hitters are batting just .230 against Oilmen pitching this season. The Oilmen staff ranks second in the league in WHIP at 1.21 and first in strikeouts at 314. The Oilmen will send Keith Mahler (2-4, 2.72 ERA) and Danny Pobereyko (4-2, 3.14 ERA) to the mound for Sunday’s doubleheader. Pobereyko has struck out 19 and issued no walks over his last two starts.
Inside the Zephyrs
The Zephyrs are playing a doubleheader for the second consecutive day after splitting with Joliet on Saturday. The Zephyrs picked up a 1-0 victory over the Admirals before falling 5-4 with both games taking place at Waubonsee Community College. The Zephyrs have opened up a 2 ½ game lead over Joliet for fifth place in the Midwest Collegiate League. They narrowly avoided the basement in 2013, finishing one game ahead of Rockford for fifth place after finishing 7 ½ in front of the Foresters in 2012.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen have taken four of the first five meetings between the two teams this season, winning those games by the combined score of 29-1. The last time the Zephyrs came to Oil City Stadium, they picked up their first-ever win in Whiting, downing the Oilmen 11-2. The most recent meeting between the two clubs was a 6-0 Oilmen victory in Sugar Grove on July 16. The Oilmen lead the all-time series with the Zephyrs 14-3.
Around the League
All eyes will be on the Village of Lisle Sports Complex on Sunday night as the top two teams in the Midwest Collegiate League battle it out in a crucial game in the league race. The DuPage County Hounds hold a 1 ½ game lead for the top spot in the league standings and host second-place Southland on Sunday at 6 p.m. The Oilmen and Snipes are tied for third, with Lexington scheduled to play a doubleheader in Joliet on Sunday.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes
