06/30/2016 11:33 AM -
THURSDAY’S GAME:
Michigan City Lakers (8-14)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (14-12)
June 30, 2016 • 7:20 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 WJOB, 104.7 FM, NWIOilmen.com (Pregame 7 p.m.)
Pitching Matchup
NWI’s Richard Yelnick (Parkland / Trinity Christian / New Lenox, Ill.) vs. Lakers’ Dan Snyder (Purdue North Central / Union Mills, Ind.)
For Starters
The most compelling storyline of Wednesday’s game was the return of former Oilmen Alec Olund, who made his Lakers debut against his former club. Olund went 1-for-5 in his first game back in the area after starting the summer in the Northwoods League. The Lake Central graduate and current Purdue Boilermaker joined forces with his brother Anthony on the Lakers roster. He joins a select group of Oilmen players to go on to later play against the Oilmen that also includes John Livingston, Tyler Hanson and Josh Stowe. Livingston and Stowe won league titles with the Oilmen in 2012 before doing the same with the Southland Vikings in 2013. Stowe pitched for the Hounds in 2013 after starting his MCL career out of the Oilmen bullpen in 2012. Two of the three games the Oilmen have played on June 30 in team history have gone to extra innings. They fell 13-12 to DuPage County in 15 innings in 2013, a year to the day after falling 6-5 in 12 innings to the Illinois Lincolns.
Inside the Oilmen
Richard Yelnick gets his fourth start and sixth appearance of the season on Thursday as he attempts to sustain a successful start. The incoming Trinity Christian junior holds a 2-0 record and 1.50 ERA in 18 innings of work. He has 19 strikeouts against just five bases on ball. Four of those walks came in his last outing – June 24 against DuPage County – but Yelnick kept his team in the game by allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in five innings. The lefty received no decision as the Oilmen went on to win 7-6 in 11 innings. This marks the first time Yelnick has faced the Lakers this season. Chase Dawson remained an on-base machine by reaching four times in Thursday’s 9-3 win over the Lakers. He’s reached in all 16 games he’s played with the Oilmen. The first six Oilmen runs of the game were scored by runners who had reached base via either a walk or hit by pitch. Alex Nisle had two hits to boost his average to a season-high .268. Nisle is hitting .458 over his last eight games after hitting .125 in his first 10. The Oilmen are now tied for second at 14-12, just one game away from first-place DuPage County. They are 5-1 in their last six, their best stretch of the season. The Oilmen remain the league leaders in team batting average at .297. The Oilmen pitching staff has been even more impressive, leading the league in ERA at 3.30. The Hounds are second in ERA at 4.15. The best team ERA in Oilmen history came a year ago, when the Oilmen posted a 2.53 ERA.
Inside the Lakers
Starting pitcher Dan Snyder has worked 30 innings over five games (four starts) so far this season. His record stands at 2-2 with a 3.90 ERA. He has issued the most walks on the Lakers staff with 22, but ranks second on the team in strikeouts (25) and innings pitched (30). Colin Willis is the Lakers’ leading hitter at .418, but the Oilmen have kept him in check over the last two games. Willis is 1-for-9 against the Oilmen this week. The Lakers return home to host the Southland Vikings at Riverside Park on Friday.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen lead the season series 4-1 and the all-time series 14-10. This marks the third meeting this week, with the two teams splitting the first two.
Click "download attachment" to view full Oilmen Game Notes.
