Admirals invade Oil City as Oilmen begin home stretch WEDNESDAY’S GAME: June 24, 2015 • 7:10 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
Pitching Matchup
Keith Mahler (Heartland / Cumberland / Highland, Ind.) vs. Joliet’s Ssteven Skolarz (uncommitted / New Lenox, Ill.)
For Starters
The 12 runs in Sunday’s game were the most scored by the Oilmen since June 29, 2014, a 12-4 win over the Admirals. Sunday’s 13-12 defeat to Michigan City marked the third time in team history the Oilmen scored 12 runs or more and lost. The Oilmen fell by the identical score of 13-12 on June 30, 2013 against DuPage County. The most runs the Oilmen have scored in a loss came against Will County on June 27, 2012, a 14-13 defeat. The CrackerJacks blew a seven-run lead in that game, and trailed 13-10 going to the ninth inning. They then scored four times in the top of the ninth to edge the Oilmen 14-13. The Oilmen had 19 hits on Sunday, four shy of a franchise-record 23 racked up in a playoff game against Lexington in 2013. They allowed 18 hits, five shy of the franchise-record 23 surrendered on two separate occasions.
Inside the Oilmen
Keith Mahler toes the rubber for the Oilmen on Wednesday. Sam Geraci has worked a team-high 10 walks this year. Jordan Lewis is one home run away from breaking the team’s franchise single-season and career record. He is currently tied with Bill Miller, who established the record of three long balls in 2012. Brian Seymour had four hits in Sunday’s game, becoming the first Oilmen player with a four-hit game since Andrew Ray on July 18, 2014, a 16-inning game against Lexington. The Oilmen have played in mostly close game this season, with 11 of their 13 contests decided by three runs or fewer. Three of their four losses came by one run, with the other defeat featuring a two-run deficit.
Inside the Admirals
Steven Skolarz – a pitcher who has not yet made a collegiate commitment after completing his senior year of high school – gets the ball for manager Tom Barry on Wednesday night. Skolarz, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, went to Lincoln Way West, also the alma mater of Oilmen reliever Richard Yelnick. Joliet is 5-5 through its first 10 games and is currently in fourth place in the Midwest Collegiate League. The Admirals, who are seeking the franchise’s first playoff appearance since 2011, sit one game ahead of Southland for fourth place in the MCL.
About the Matchup
The Admirals spoiled NWI’s home opener on June 10, pulling out a 7-6 win in 10 innings after the Oilmen rallied from three runs down in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game. They stranded the potential tying run at third and winning run at second in the bottom of the 10th of a wild affair. The Oilmen lead the all-time series 18-4.
Around the MCL
The Oilmen missed out on a chance to move into a tie for first by squandering the seven-run, eighth-inning lead on Sunday. The Hounds also lost, 8-2 to Lexington, so DuPage County’s edge on the Oilmen remains one game.
Click "download attachment" to view full Oilmen game notes. |