06/03/2015 7:55 AM -
WEDNESDAY'S GAME:
Northwest Indiana Oilmen (1-0)
at Southland Vikings (0-0)
June 3, 2015 • 5 p.m. • Chicago Heights, Ill.
Radio: None
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
Probable Pitchers
NWI’s Brandon Barnes (Paradise Valley / Hobart, Ind.) vs. Southland's TBD
For Starters
The Oilmen sent five different pitchers to the mound in a season-opening 5-2 victory over the Joliet Admirals on Monday. The last time the Oilmen used five or more pitchers in a league win was June 8, 2013, a 5-4 edging of the DuPage County Hounds. Richard Yelnick earned the win with an inning of flawless relief on Monday. Brian Seymour, Alec Olund and Tyler Sroczynski all enjoyed multi-hit days as the Oilmen came away victorious in Adam Enright’s managerial debut. Zack Jones gunned down two would-be base stealers, while the Oilmen went 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts.
Inside the Oilmen
Hobart graduate Brandon Barnes is scheduled to get the start on the mound for the Oilmen on Wednesday. He just completed his freshman year at Paradise Valley Community College, where he went 1-0 with a 4.12 ERA in 19 2/3 innings. He issued seven walks and struck out 21 in 12 games. Donovan Chandler, Jeremy Wright, Barnes and Jimmy Skiff will all be playing against former Andrean teammate Cody Haver on Wednesday. Skiff will also oppose current Purdue Calumet teammate Mike Poulos. Munster graduates Joe Jumonville, Sam Bell and Poulos will square off, while Northwest Indiana’s South Suburban trio will face teammate Jake Hickey.
Inside the Vikings
The two-time defending Midwest Collegiate League champion Southland Vikings open their 2015 season on Wednesday. The Vikings have taken the MCL by storm the last two seasons, and have not lost a postseason game since 2012. However, the 2015 version of the Vikings has a much different roster. Gone are big bats like Jeff Boehm, Dan Potempa, Micah Rooke, Jerry Houston, Bobby Sheppard and Stefano Belmonte. Belmonte will be in the opposite dugout on Wednesday, as he is now playing with the Oilmen. First-year manager Tony Sanchez makes his debut on Wednesday. Southland has a new home for the 2015 season as the Vikings will play at Hap Bruno Field in Chicago Heights.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen took the first three head-to-head meeting between the two teams last season, but the Vikings captured five out of the final six to win the season series 5-4. The Oilmen are 14-17 all-time against the rival Vikings and just 3-9 when Southland is the home team.
Around the League
The Admirals bounced back from their season-opening defeat to the Oilmen with a 7-4 win over Lexington on Tuesday night. The DuPage County Hounds started the season with a 7-2 triumph in Michigan City on Monday. The Hounds and Admirals hook up in Lisle on Wednesday.
Click "download attachment" to view a full PDF of game notes.
