The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Whiting, Ind. – April 24, 2018 – The Northwest Indiana Oilmen continued the process of unveiling their roster for the 2018 summer season on Tuesday with the announcement that Andrew Hancock will pitch for the team.

Hancock, a senior at Lincoln Way Central High School and a native of New Lenox, Ill., has signed to play his college ball at the University of Evansville, a Division I program in the Missouri Valley Conference.

“The biggest factor for me during the recruiting process was the coaching at Evansville,” Hancock said. “I really connected with head coach Wes Carroll and pitching coach Cody Fick. As soon as I walked on campus, I felt it was a great place to be and I felt right at home there.”

Hancock is a two-sport athlete, having also played basketball all four years of high school. The 6-foot-6, 190-pound right-handed pitcher will look to take the first step toward reaching his collegiate potential as he plays for the Oilmen this summer.

“Andrew is a good athlete and is physically imposing on the mound,” Fick said in an Evansville press release. “He is a dual sport high school athlete with what we believe is a high ceiling on the mound. We are excited to see his size and athleticism develop into a well-rounded pitcher for us.”

Last May, Hancock and Lincoln Way Central edged Lincoln Way East 5-4 in a crosstown regional championship. Hancock got the start on the mound in the regional championship game, the culmination of a season that saw the Knights post a 24-9 record. Hancock has also been a standout for the Chicago Elite.

“The first game that I ever played for the Elite, I threw a complete game, one-hit shutout,” he said. “That was a big highlight that kicked off my recruiting.”

Hancock is ready to compete with and against the talent that the MCL has to offer as he makes the transition from high school to college baseball.

“I’m excited to face good competition and play alongside some older players,” Hancock said. “This should prepare me for what I’ll see when I play at Evansville. The summer experience will challenge me and help me grow up mentally and physically. I’m going to work on throwing my curveball more for a strike. I’m always trying to gain strength and velocity.”

Hancock becomes just the second Evansville Purple Ace to play for the Oilmen, joining Brian Jestice.

Like many players who have joined the Oilmen this offseason, Hancock is well aware of the winning tradition of Oilmen baseball.

“I’ve heard that it’s a very good program with extremely good coaching,” he said. “A few friends of mine are going to be playing on the team – Brandon Petkoff and Jake Plastiak. I’m very much looking forward to joining the Oilmen this summer.”