The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

 In a game with two separate five run comebacks and 28 combined hits, the Northwest Indiana Oilmen fell short in the ninth inning against the Indiana Panthers on Thursday. It was Thirsty Thursday at Oil City Stadium, making for an exciting atmosphere around the ballpark, and one of the most offensive oriented games this season. 

The Oilmen fell one run short, losing 11-10 to the Panthers, but totaled 16 hits in Thursday’s contest. The Oilmen found offense from several different players, with nine different players receiving a hit, and five going for multi-hit performances. 

“It’s nice when you can give up a lot of runs, and still feel like you’re right in a game,” Oilmen Manager Adam Enright said. “Trailing by five runs especially at home doesn’t seem unattainable at any point in the game, so it’s nice for me to feel that way and for our guys to feel that way also.”

The Oilmen trailed 6-1 after the third inning and 9-4 in the sixth, but seemed to find the response on the offensive side all game long. Going into the bottom of the ninth, the Oilmen trailed 11-9. After a one-out Jayden Comia double off the wall in left, and a Randy Seymour RBI, the Oilmen cut it to a one-run deficit with two outs. With the tying run at second base, Panther relief pitcher Adon Vega pitched the save and helped the Panthers beat the Oilmen for the second time this season. 

The biggest gripe about Thursday’s game was the inconsistencies on the mound. Oilmen starter Argenis Bravo had a difficult outing, going three innings of six run ball, allowing five hits. Carlos Canelon came into relief going five innings, allowing four runs on five hits. 

Both Bravo and Canelon made just their second appearance for the Oilmen this season, and will continue to play a big role in the pitching staff as the regular season comes to a close. 

“I want to see them [Bravo & Canelon] throw more strikes and work quicker,” Enright said. “We only made two errors today but the defense is a lot less engaged when you have to wait longer to throw a pitch”. 

The Oilmen are now 24-15, and will host the first place Lake County Corn Dogs Friday July 21 at Oil City Stadium for a 7:10 p.m. first pitch.