The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

WHITING, Ind. -- In a battle of two familar two teams, Team North America, who is comprised of the Northwest Indiana Oilmen and Team Serbia had a hard fought game and America came out on top.

Serbia came to Oil City Stadium last year to take on the Northwest Indiana Oilmen for a three-game series with NWI winning all three games. This was a different Serbia team from a year ago as they came in giving Team North America a run for their money.

Adam Enright, Oilmen Manager, said the Serbian team was way better defensively than a year ago.

"They had a handful of guys that could make some damage," Enright said. 

Alex Voss (South Bend, Ind./Butler) got the nod on the mound for Team North America. Voss threw two innings, allowing five hits, giving up two runs both earned, issuing no walks and striking out two. 

"That was the best swings I have seen off Alex Voss the first time through the lineup. No one has got that kind of contact of him," Enright said.

Serbia got on the scoreboard first in the opening inning after Tomasic scored on a wild throw by Jake Perreira.  North America responded with a run of their own in the bottom half after Jake Plastiak (Wichita State/Tinley Park, Ill.) ripped an RBI single to center scoring Brandon Petkoff (Texas A&M Corpus Christi/Frankfort, Ill.) from third. 

Team Serbia got another run in the second inning after to take a 2-1 lead after Mickey Miladinovic ripped an RBI single scoring Luke Borkovic from third. North America got that run right back in the bottom half to tie it at 2 with a wild pitch. 

George Sherman (Dominican/Skokie, Ill.) came into pitch in the third inning and picked up the victory in relief. Sherman dazzled on the mound for America and pitched six scoreless innings without allowing a run, scattering three hits, issuing one walk, striking out three. 

North America was able to break through in the seventh inning after being held scoreless in the third through the sixth. Plastiak roped an RBI single scoring Petkoff. Zaid Walker (Michigan State/Flossmoor, Ill.) reached on an error to pad the America lead to 4-2. Jake Perriera (Indianapolis/Grant Park, Ill.) added an insurance run as he hit an RBI single to left scoring Plastiak to make it 5-2.

Connor Spear (Wisconsin-Whitewater/Highland, Ind.) came in the ninth inning and had a shaky inning, allowing a run but was able pick up the save. 

Serbia starter Christian Bokich kept the Oilmen hitters in check through the first six innings, allowing only two runs, scattering fours, issuing four walks and striking out six.

"We just have to continue to play well. Do things that will help us finish the season strong," Enright said.

Despite picking up five errors on the field, the Oilmen were still able to pick up the victory.

North America returns to action Thursday, July 19 as they take on Team Slovakia with game time scheduled for 4:45 p.m. CT.