Nationally-ranked Oilmen set for twin bill in Lexington SATURDAY’S GAMES: June 20, 2015 • 1 p.m. • Lexington, Ill.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
Pitching Matchups
Game 1 – NWI’s Brian Jestice (Evansville) vs. Lexington’s Brett Fanning (Upper Iowa)
Game 2 – NWI’s Enrique Zamora (Calumet College) vs. Lexington’s Matt Jenkins (Parkland)
For Starters
The Oilmen suffered their first loss to the Hounds this season, falling 4-3 to DuPage County on Thursday. The Oilmen failed to score at least five runs for the first time in 11 games. Richard Yelnick surrendered a run for the first time this year, the decisive tally in the top of the ninth. Xavier Warren totaled three hits, snapping an 0-for-15 slump that dated by to June 6. The Oilmen played without key hitters Stefano Belmonte, Alec Olund, Jordan Lewis and Brad Wood, all of whom were due for a day off.
Inside the Oilmen
The Oilmen are ranked 28th in the nation among summer collegiate teams by Collegiate Summer Ball Rankings. They are the only Midwest Collegiate League team that is nationally ranked. Sam Geraci has now reached safely in all nine games he has played this season. Brian Seymour has hits in all five games he’s played in an Oilmen uniform. Brian Jestice will get the start in Saturday’s first game. The Evansville Ace has made two starts. He allowed two runs on six hits over 6 1/3 innings while earning the win in his debut on June 4 at Joliet before lasting only three innings and yielding five runs (two earned) on six hits on opening night at Oil City Stadium, also against the Admirals. Enrique Zamora makes his second start of the year in game two. The Calumet College hurler has a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings. He pitched a perfect inning against the Snipes on June 7.
Inside the Snipes
The Lexington Snipes moved back to the .500 mark with a 7-2 road rout of Southland on Friday night. Deion Thompson had three hits including a home run. Lexington’s first four victories this season have come against Michigan City, all in a two-day span. Right-hander Brett Fanning from Upper Iowa University gets the nod for Saturday’s opener. He’s 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA in two starts this summer. Fanning pitched against the Oilmen twice last season, both NWI victories. Southpaw Matt Jenkins toes the rubber for game two. He started against the Oilmen on June 7, yielding seven runs (five earned) on six hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings.
About the Matchup
Two seven-inning games will comprise Saturday’s doubleheader. The Oilmen and Snipes were washed out on Thursday in a game that was scheduled to take place at Illinois Wesleyan University, creating the need for Saturday’s twin bill. This marks the first double dip of the season for the Oilmen. The last time they played two was also at High Desert Field, a sweep of the Snipes on the final day of the 2014 regular season.
Around the League
The DuPage County Hounds expanded their Midwest Collegiate League lead to a full game over the Oilmen by dispatching Michigan City 12-3 on Friday. Bobby Wenthe totaled four hits including a home run, while Emerson Misch drilled a two-run blow.
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