Oilmen make it four straight with most lopsided win in team history Whiting, Ind. – June 28, 2015 – Another day, another dominating performance by the Northwest Indiana Oilmen The Oilmen captured their seventh straight home win and fourth consecutive victory overall by downing Southland 13-0 on Sunday. In the last three games, the Oilmen have bested the opposition by the combined score of 35-3. Sunday’s 13-run win marked the most lopsided victory in Oilmen history.
“Putting this team together, (offense) was my big focal point,” Oilmen manager Adam Enright said. “Going into the fall and winter when we were putting the team together, we were just looking for some offensive firepower. It’s nice to have everything coming together and have a multifaceted offensive attack going on.”
There were plenty of Oilmen with big days at the dish, but none bigger than Brad Wood. He reached base in all six plate appearances, working four walks, launching his second home run of the season and dropping down a bunt single.
Wood also made a spectacular play at third base on a sacrifice bunt in the third inning to retire Louis Avila at first and prevent a bases loaded, no outs situation.
“He brings so many tools and intangibles and he’s just a good baseball player,” Enright said. “When he strikes out, it’s deep in counts after a bunch of foul balls. He makes plays and does everything that you need to do to win. He just wants to win.”
Brian Jestice had tough acts to follow after Jimmy Skiff, Christian Howell and Keith Mahler tossed gems in the first three games of the homestand. He one-upped them by becoming the first Oilman to complete eight innings this season, allowing no runs and only two hits. In the first four games of the homestand, Oilmen starting pitchers hold a 0.00 ERA in 29 2/3 innings.
“I had a couple rough outings lately, but I feel like I’m hitting my stride now,” Jestice said. “Everything seemed to be working. I had a fastball, changeup and slider back and forth. I had some good defense behind me and got a lot of groundballs.”
Southland starter Joey Plaud took the defeat, allowing eight earned runs on nine hits in two innings. The Oilmen jumped in front early with three in the first, before a five-run third broke it open. The Oilmen batted around for the second straight day, sending 11 men to the plate in the third inning, which featured a stretch of six consecutive hits.
Stefano Belmonte had another big game, going 4-for-5 and driving in five runs. His two-run double in the first started the scoring, and his three-run double in the eighth finished the scoring.
Joe Jumonville went 3-for-4 and completed an eight-day stretch at 10-for-19, raising his average from .200 to .360.
“It’s just working well as a team,” Jestice said. “We’re hitting well. We’re playing good defense. Everything is starting to click as a unit, which is important for a summer ball team since we’re only together for two months.”
The Oilmen enjoy a day off Monday before returning to the diamond on Tuesday for the first of back-to-back meetings with the Michigan City Lakers. Tuesday is Scout Night with a 7:10 first pitch scheduled at Oil City Stadium, while Wednesday is the fourth annual Veterans Benefit Game. For tickets or more information, visit NWIOilmen.com. |