06/15/2016 10:41 AM -
WEDNESDAY’S GAME:
Michigan City Lakers (3-7)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (6-8)
June 15, 2016 • 7:20 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 & 104.7 FM WJOB, NWIOilmen.com
Pitching Matchup
NWI’s Christian Howell (Minnesota State Mankato / Aurora, Ill.) vs. Bobby Humphreys (Chesterton, Ind.)
For Starters
The Oilmen have scored in the first inning in eight straight games. Wednesday’s pitching matchup is a rematch of last Tuesday’s home opener at Oil City Stadium. In that game, Bobby Humphreys went five innings and allowed eight runs (three earned) on 10 hits and two walks to take the loss. Christian Howell tossed 4 1/3 innings and allowed six runs (four earned) on four hits and four walks to help the Oilmen to an 8-6 win. The four walks matched the most Howell has issued in his Oilmen career. He also walked four against the Lakers on July 1 of last season and against the Admirals on opening day this year. Howell’s ERA sits at 3.65 and his record at 1-0.
Inside the Oilmen
Chase Fieldhouse holds an eight-game hitting streak. He has not gone hitless since the season opener on May 27 at Bloomington. Chase Dawson has reached base safely in all six games he’s played with the Oilmen. Tyler Sroczysnki holds a five-game hitting streak with multiple hits in four of those five games. Jordan Flint surpassed Eastern Illinois teammate Jimmy Govern for the team lead by recording his ninth RBI on Saturday. Flint reached base in all four plate appearances on Sunday. Govern held the team lead for a full week even after suffering a season-ending injury. Zack Forney has been an on-base machine with 11 walks and three HBP in nine games. He has drawn at least one walk in eight of the nine games he’s played. He leads the team in walks with 11 and ranks second to Chase Dawson in OBP at .568. Josh Fewell broke out of an 0-for-14 slump with two hits on Saturday. Jake Pereirra is the team leader with four doubles. As a team, the Oilmen are 23-of-30 in stolen bases Tyler Sroczysnki is 7-for-7. Left-handed reliever Hunter Clark (6 IP) is the only Oilmen pitcher who hasn’t allowed an earned run this season.
Inside the Lakers
The outing against the Oilmen last week was the first start of the year for Humphreys. Colin Willis is the reigning Midwest Collegiate League offensive player of the week. He had a string of four multi-hit games snapped on Saturday in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Bobcats. Willis went 5-for-9 in two games against the Oilmen with a double, triple, home run and four RBIs. He’s reached safely in all 10 games he’s played this season. Willis has nine extra base hits on the year. He also leads the team in runs (10) and walks (8). The Lakers are just 7-for-11 in stolen bases this summer. Willis is 3-for-5. Max Kerr has one hit in his last 18 at-bats. Chad Mateja went 2-for-4 against the Oilmen last Wednesday. Spencer Sutton snapped an 0-for-11 stretch on Saturday against the Bobcats.
About the Matchup
The Lakers were the only team in the league the Oilmen lost the regular season series against a year ago. The Oilmen lead the all-time series 12-9 and lead this year’s season series 2-0. After Wednesday, the Oilmen and Lakers meet three more times this month, all at Oil City Stadium.
Click "download attachment" to view full Oilmen game notes.
