06/17/2016 8:19 AM -
FRIDAY’S GAME:
DuPage County Hounds (9-6)
at Northwest Indiana Oilmen (8-8)
June 17, 2016 • 7:20 p.m. • Whiting, Ind.
Radio: AM 1230 & 104.7 FM WJOB, NWIOilmen.com
Pitching Matchup
NWI’s Clay Keltner (Cornerstone / Highland, Ind.) vs. DuPage County’s Chase Lowman (College of DuPage / League City, Texas)
For Starters
The Oilmen have scored in the first inning in 10 straight games. After committing 14 errors over the previous three games, the Oilmen played errorless baseball in Thursday’s 17-1 win over the Bloomington Bobcats. It marked the first time the Oilmen did not make an error since June 2, a 2-0 seven-inning loss to Bloomington. The last time the Oilmen played an errorless nine-inning game was Game 2 of the season against DuPage County on May 28. The Oilmen set the franchise record for the largest margin of victory with the 16-run blowout, eclipsing their previous record of 13 set on June 28, 2015, a 13-0 win over Southland. The magic number was 16 on Thursday as the Oilmen won by 16 runs in Game 16 of the season on June 16 of 2016. Thursday marked the first win in Oilmen history against the Bloomington Bobcats, who are in their first season since 2002.
Inside the Oilmen
Tyler Sroczynski returned to the leadoff spot and extended his hitting streak to seven with a first-inning single, which was his first hit against the Bobcats after going 0-for-5 over the first two games. Sroczynski is one hit away from matching Craig Austgen’s Oilmen career hit record of 60. Stefano Belmonte will also surpass Austgen, as he currently sits at 54. Belmonte has already reached the career RBI record as he currently has 40, besting the mark of 37 previously owned by Nick Bartolone. Sroczynski’s two home runs have launched him past Bill Miller as the career leader with five. Sroczynski is two stolen bases away from Jack Czeszewski’s career record of 26. Tommy Szczasny had three hits on Thursday and leads the team in batting average at .476. Chase Dawson came off the bench to receive a plate appearance in the seventh inning on Thursday and drew a bases-loaded walk to extend his on-base streak to eight games. He’s appeared in every game since joining the Oilmen. Jake Perreira spanked his fifth double of the year to extend his team lead. A total of 12 different Oilmen reached base in Thursday’s game. One player who didn’t see the field on Thursday was Chase Fieldhouse, who holds a nine-game hitting streak. Friday’s starter Clay Keltner has a 1-1 record and 2.46 ERA in 14 2/3 innings this year. He has issued six walks and struck out 13 in three starters. Keltner faced the Hounds on May 28, receiving no decision after allowing two runs on six hits over five innings. He took the loss at Bloomington on June 2 after yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits in 4 2/3 innings before notching his first win on June 9 against the Vikings by limiting Southland to one unearned run on three hits over five frames.
Inside the Hounds
Brandon Post had a 10-game hitting streak snapped on Wednesday at Bloomington. Dane Toppel and Mike Roberson carry eight-game hitting streaks into Friday. Ryan Krob has three three-hit games, but is 1-for-17 in his other four appearances. Starting pitcher Chase Lowman, the reigning MCL Pitcher of the Week, is 3-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 20 1/3 innings.
About the Matchup
The Oilmen are 0-2 against DuPage County this season. The Hounds lead the all-time series 20-16. Last week, the Oilmen cut a five-run DuPage County lead to one but fell 6-5.
Click "download attachment" to view full Oilmen game notes.
