Game Notes: Oilmen seek to avenge losses to Lakers SUNDAY’S GAME: July 26, 2015 • 1 p.m. • Michigan City, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB
Internet Broadcast: nwioilmen.com
Pitching Matchup
NWI’s Brandon Murray (South Carolina / Hobart, Ind.) vs. Michigan City’s Bobby Humphreys or Collin Armold
For Starters
Tyler Sroczynski enjoyed a career day, totaling six hits and seven RBIs as the Oilmen routed Southland 10-0 and 13-1 in a doubleheader on Saturday. The Oilmen outfielder drilled a three-run homer in the fifth inning of the second game, his third home run of the season. He has matched Jordan Lewis for the team lead with three home runs. The two also share the Oilmen franchise record with Billy Miller, who cracked three home runs in 2012. Sroczynski now has 24 RBIs on the season. Sroczynski also stole two more bases to increase his team-high total to 14. A day after seeing his 15 game on-base streak come to an end, Josh Turnock ripped his first home run of the season.
Inside the Oilmen
Stefano Belmonte and Sroczynski are both two doubles away from matching Bennett Oliver’s team record of 13 set in 2012. Fred Smart needs one more hit by pitch to match Elliot Bajda’s team record of nine, which was also set in 2012. The Oilmen are hitting .289 as a team, up from their .243 average from a year ago. The Oilmen are in position to have the best team batting average in franchise history, as the previous best was .286 in 2012. The Oilmen have 14 home runs this season, surpassing the team’s record of 10 home runs during the 2012 season. NWI’s team ERA is 3.53, which would be its highest since 2012 (4.35).
Inside the Lakers
The Lakers have dropped six consecutive games and have not recorded a victory since July 11. They are 0-5 since the All-Star Break. In its most recent game, Michigan City fell to DuPage County 17-9 on Friday. The Hounds scored five runs in the first, four in the third and five in the fourth. Christian Bokich allowed 15 runs (10 earned) in three innings to take the loss. The Lakers have a 6.70 team ERA. Joe Kennedy remains the top hitter in the MCL at .421 to go along with a .488 on-base percentage.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen have already lost the season series to the Lakers by dropping five of the first seven meetings. Michigan City is 5-2 against the Oilmen and 6-19 against the rest of the Midwest Collegiate League. The last time the two teams met was July 10 in Michigan City, when the Lakers used a Jerry Hodges go-ahead homer to capture a 5-4 victory. The Oilmen are 0-3 at Marquette Athletic Complex this season. The Oilmen lead the all-time series with the Lakers 9-8. The two teams meet again on Thursday night at Oil City Stadium.
Around the MCL
The Oilmen, Hounds and Snipes will all finish in the top three in the Midwest Collegiate League regular season standings. Entering Sunday the three team could finish in any order, but the Hounds can clinch the 2015 Midwest Collegiate League regular season title with a win over Lexington on Sunday at High Desert Field. The Admirals can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Southland and an Oilmen win over Michigan City on Sunday.
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