06/14/2018 9:48 PM -
FRIDAY’S GAME:
Bloomington Bobcats (5-8)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (5-8)
June 15, 2018 • 7:10 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Broadcast: Oilmen Broadcasting Network (Facebook Live)
Pitching Matchup
NWI RHP Chad Patrick (Purdue Northwest / Hebron, Ind.) vs. Bloomington RHP Joe Prestamer (Frankfort, Ill. / Illinois Wesleyan)
For Starters
After putting together a balanced performance that saw eight of the nine batters in the lineup record a hit in an 8-4 win over Joliet, the Northwest Indiana Oilmen will attempt to make it consecutive wins on Friday night as they welcome Bloomington to Oil City Stadium. Nick Figus has started his summer season on a nine-game hitting streak, while Brandon Petkoff has six multi-hit games to lead the team. Petkoff also leads the team in total hits with 15 and has joined Nate Montgomery and Brenden Butler as part of a three-way time for the team lead in RBIs with nine. Chris Baker and Jackson Dvorak have received the most playing time on the squad, as each have played in 11 of the team’s 13 games. Butler had his second multi-hit game of the season on Thursday.
Inside the Oilmen
Incoming Butler freshman Alex Voss is off to a good start to his Oilmen career as he is 3-for-6 with two RBIs, a walk and a double offensively, while working four innings of one-run ball and picking up a win in a 15-inning game on the mound. Patrick Hayes, who recently de-committed from Illinois State as the Redbirds are going through a coaching change, made his Oilmen debut on Thursday and ripped an RBI double, reaching base three teams. Another storyline on Thursday was Oilmen outfielder Chris Baker facing his brother Jordan, who pitched in relief for Joliet. Jordan won family bragging rights by striking out Chris, but the Oilmen won the ballgame. Montgomery is still one of only two players in the league, along with Joliet’s Jeremiah Lebron, who has two home runs this season. The Oilmen will send Chad Patrick to the mound on Friday night. The right-hander allowed just an unearned run while walking three and striking out six in four strong innings at Joliet on June 2, his Oilmen debut. That is his only outing of the year to date.
Inside the Bobcats
Bloomington will throw Joe Presthammer on Friday night. He made his Bobcats debut against the Oilmen on June 3 and received no decision after allowing two runs on five hits in four frames. His second start came at Southland on June 8, when he was charged with seven runs (five earned) on six hits and five walks in 5 2/3 innings. He has a 6.52 ERA in 9 2/3 innings and has issued eight walks while striking out three. The Bobcats will look to rebound from a heart-breaking loss to Southland on Thursday. Bloomington trailed 5-4 going to the ninth, when Southland scored two insurance runs in the top of the inning. Bloomington scored twice in the bottom of the inning, but did not do further damage, falling 7-6. The Bobcats had the tying run at second and winning run at first with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn’t drive them in.
About the Matchup
This is the fourth meeting of the 2018 season between the Oilmen and the Bobcats. Bloomington holds a 12-10 edge in the all-time series, which dates back to 2016. The home team has won all three games between these two teams this season. The Bobcats prevailed 5-0 at Jack Horenberger Field and 12-7 at O’Neil Park, while the Oilmen emerged victorious 13-4 on Saturday, June 9 at Oil City Stadium.
Click here to view full Oilmen game notes.
