Lakers visit Oilmen for holiday baseball SATURDAY’S GAME: July 4, 2015 • 1:10 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: None
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
Pitching Matchup
NWI’s Brian Jestice (Evansville / Hoffman Estates, Ill.) vs. Michigan City’s TBD
For Starters
The Oilmen suffered their most lopsided defeat of the year on Saturday, falling 7-3 at Lexington. They surrendered five runs in the opening inning as the Snipes cruised to victory. It was the largest margin of defeat for the Oilmen since July 23 of last year, a 7-1 loss to the Vikings. This marks the quickest turnaround of the season, as the Oilmen have an afternoon game at home after playing an evening game in Lexington on Friday. Saturday’s game also features the earliest start time for a home game in Oilmen history. The Oilmen are 9-2 at home this year.
Inside the Oilmen
Oilmen catcher Zack Jones is celebrating his 21st birthday on Saturday. A year ago on July 4, the Oilmen fell to the Vikings 7-3. Tyler House pitched seven shutout innings to outduel Cameron Linck. The Oilmen are 0-2 all-time on Independence Day, as they also lost 4-2 to DuPage County in 2012 at Oil City Stadium. The Oilmen are seeking their first-ever Midwest Collegiate League regular season title this year. Southland (2014), DuPage County (2013), DeKalb County (2012) and Rockford (2011) all own MCL regular season titles.
Inside the Lakers
The Lakers are first year members of the Midwest Collegiate League, but they’re far from a first-year baseball team. They have a tradition that dates back to 1973 as the Michigan City Stars. Manager Tim Jahnz is in his sixth season in charge after previously serving as a player and coach for the franchise. Pitching coach Carl Swenson played three years of affiliated minor league ball from 1958-1960 in the Giants organization. He pitched for the Class D Michigan City Whitecaps of the Midwest League in 1959. Michigan City is coming off a 12-7 extra-inning loss to Joliet. The two teams were tied 6-6 after nine.
About the Matchup
The Lakers remain the only team in the Midwest Collegiate League with a winning record against the Oilmen this season. They have won three of the first five matchups between the two clubs. This marks the third time this week the Lakers have visited Oil City Stadium. After Saturday, they will not return to Whiting until July 30.
Around the MCL
Sole possession of first place in the MCL lasted less than 24 hours for the Oilmen. DuPage County’s 11-3 win over Southland coupled with NWI’s loss to Lexington on Friday leaves the two teams back in a tie atop the MCL standings. The Hounds jumped on Southland starter Colton Lopez for eight runs in the first inning. DuPage County is off on Saturday.
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