The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Michigan City, Ind. - The Northwest Indiana Oilmen plated six runs in the sixth inning to come from behind and defeat the Michigan City Lakers 8-3, notching their first victory of the season in the process. 

Oilmen starter Brett Schneider scattered three runs on six hits over five solid innings to earn the win in the non-league contest.  He did not issue a walk, struck out three and committed three wild pitches.  Rashawn Tillman and Nick Saldutti had two hits each to pace the offense.

The Lakers, who defeated the Oilmen 2-1 two days prior, struck first when Anthony Olund singled in the first and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch. Neither team scratched the scoreboard again until the fourth, when Jordan Neman blasted a solo home run down the left field line. 

Northwest Indiana stranded two men in the second and one more in the third before finally touching Lakers’ pitcher Kyle Marburger for two runs in the fifth.  Ty Hogan singled, swiped second and scored on an Anthony Bova base hit.  Jack Czeszewski bounced into a fielder’s choice to drive in Bova and knot the game at two. 

Marberger lost his control in the sixth, issuing four walks and surrendering five hits to allow the Oilmen to roar in front by the score of 8-3.  Chris Marras, Leiff Clarkson, Joe Houlihan, Tillman, Czeszewski and Bova all drove in runs by either singling or walking. The Oilmen sent 12 men to the plate in the game-deciding frame.

Mike Hanchar came on to work a scoreless sixth for NWI before the two teams agreed to call the game after six innings with darkness becoming a factor in the game and a potential storm looming.

The Oilmen (1-1) start league play on Saturday night with a road tilt against the Southland Vikings at 7 p.m. at Homewood-Flossmoor High School.  The home opener will take place on Wednesday, June 5 as the Lexington Snipes visit Oil City Stadium.