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Loesher, Warren added to opening day roster

05/27/2015 4:26 PM -

Whiting, Ind. – May 29, 2015 –While throwing in front of a scout, right-handed pitcher Tyler Loesher received a suggestion that he find a summer team in order to gain innings and exposure.

The Northwest Indiana Oilmen were looking for a pitcher to round out the opening day pitching staff.

Consequently, Loesher has been inserted on to the Oilmen roster.

The right-handed pitcher will see his first game action since the 2014 spring season at Kishwaukee Community College. The Woodstock North High School graduate has hopes of eventually reaching the professional ranks.

“I’ve played competitive games, but this is going to be something different from what I’ve had in a while,” Loesher said. “There’s going to be a little rust, getting back into it, but I don’t think it’s going to be anything that’s going to hold me back. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Loesher has his sights set on opening eyes with his pitching performance, while also striving to win games and build lifelong friendships over the summer months.

“My style on the mound is very aggressive,” he said. “I’m not afraid of guys; I go right at them.

I’m a strikeout pitcher, that’s what I go for. I‘m not going to try to pitch around them.”

The Oilmen have also bolstered their outfield with the addition of Xavier Warren, who led Parkland in batting average this season at .314. He also drove in 30 runs, ripped three triples and stole 12 bases.

Warren, who just completed his sophomore year for the Cobras, will play at the University of Central Oklahoma (Division II) next year.

Warren decided to attend Parkland since Cobras coach Dave Garcia was also Warren’s high school coach at Putnam County.

“I really enjoyed playing for him for four years in high school,” Warren said. “He knew a lot of people, and I knew if I wanted to get where I wanted to go, he would be the guy to get me there.”

Before Warren moves on to Central Oklahoma, he will play one final summer with Parkland teammates Richard Yelnick, Sam Geraci and Donovan Chandler, all of whom are on the Oilmen roster.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, because I’m really close with all those guys,” Warren said. “I enjoyed being around all the guys last year at Parkland; there wasn’t a guy on the team that I didn’t like.”

The Oilmen open the 2015 season on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Joliet. The game can be heard live on AM 1230 WJOB with coverage beginning at 12:50. For in game updates, follow @NWIOilmen on Twitter.