The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

WHITING, Ind. – Chris Baker, outfielder, sophomore at South Suburban is returning for his second season with the Northwest Indiana Oilmen this summer.

“Good atmosphere, good baseball, close to home and close to family,” Baker said. “Best summer baseball experiences of my career. I had a good season, offensively, defensively and had a cool atmosphere with the fans and good experience with the team.”  

Baker, who hit .324, 1 home run, 23 RBIs and 22 runs in 31 games last season will look to improve that this summer.  

“I am trying for better numbers, decrease the number of strikeouts and come up when the team needs me,” Baker said. “The league is very competitive and I want to enhance my play.”  

Baker said he is excited for this coming season and is hoping for a repeat of last season.  

“I would like to do what we did last year and go all the way out and do a repeat,” Baker said.  

Adam Enright, manager of the Northwest Indiana Oilmen, said his ability to hit for power and having a strong help and being a good teammate made him go after Baker this season.  

“Baker has college experience and he will be a player in the middle of the lineup that will help the team win,” Enright said.  

Enright said he would like Baker to have a good start this season, be a tough out and keep going from there.  

“He started off slow last season, then picked it up and ended up hitting .300 at the end of the season,” Enright said.  

Baker said he wants to bring his experience to help the younger guys out.  

“I want to help them out in any way, help them adjust,” Baker said.  

Baker was a multi-letter winner at Marian Catholic High School.

The Northwest Indiana Oilmen are coming off a 30-24 record and their second ever Midwest Collegiate League Championship in 2016 after defeating the DuPage County Hounds in three games.