The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

News

Oilmen Look to Help Oust DuPage County from First Place

07/22/2014 11:19 AM -

TONIGHT'S GAME
Northwest Indiana Oilmen (23-14, 21-13)
at DuPage County Hounds (24-12)
 

July 22, 2014 • 7 p.m. • Lisle, Ill.
Radio: None
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com

For Starters
After back-to-back losses on Friday and Saturday to Lexington and DuPage, the Oilmen returned to their winning ways on Sunday afternoon with a doubleheader sweep of the Zephyrs. Jason Gasser had a combined five hits and reached base six times in the two games. Gasser had gone 1-for-9 in his previous two games. Danny Pobereyko earned the victory to move into the league lead in wins with five. Pobereyko also leads the league in strikeouts with 46 after fanning five in six innings on Sunday.  Before walking Derek Taylor to start the fourth inning on Sunday, Pobereyko had not issued a walk since June 5, his first start of the season.

Inside the Oilmen
Nick Nauracy is expected to take the mound on Tuesday night for one of the most important games of the season against first-place DuPage County. Nauracy allowed one run on six hits over six innings on Thursday, receiving no decision in an 11-inning victory over the Admirals. Nauracy has pitched four innings against DuPage this season, all in relief. He has allowed no runs on one hit in two appearances against the Hounds. The Oilmen are in third place in the Midwest Collegiate League, two games behind first-place DuPage County with six games remaining in the regular season. Tuesday is the first of a “back-to-back” against the top two teams in the league as the Oilmen travel to DuPage on Tuesday before hosting Southland on Wednesday.

Inside the Hounds
The Hounds have been in first place since May 31, when the Oilmen entered play at 2-0 while the Hounds were 1-0. If the Hounds fall to the Oilmen on Tuesday night, Southland can take over first place with a victory over Joliet, bumping DuPage County out of first place for the first time all summer. After Tuesday’s game against the Oilmen, the Hounds have three games remaining, all against non-playoff teams.

About the Matchup
The Hounds have won five of the first seven meetings between the two teams this season and have already clinched the season series. This is the final matchup of the regular season between the Oilmen and Hounds. The all-time series between the Oilmen and Hounds is even at 11 wins apiece.

Around the MCL
The Lexington Snipes defeated the Chicago Zephyrs 9-6 on Monday to pull within ½ game of the Oilmen for third place in the MCL. The Vikings travel to Joliet Junior College to take on the Admirals on Tuesday night, while the Snipes have the night off.

Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of Oilmen Game Notes.