After pitching inconsistencies limited the Oilmen’s early-season success, Wednesday night was a shift in the right direction. Against the Indiana Panthers, the Oilmen found success on the mound, only allowing two runs. 

After pitching three shutout innings, pitcher Steve Washilewski was credited with his first win of the season, striking out seven batters and allowing just one hit to help the Oilmen to an 11-2 win over the Panthers at Trojans Baseball Field in Highland, Ind.. The Oilmen used five pitchers, and allowed just four hits throughout the game.  

 “Getting those five guys more reps on the mound and getting them more acclimated to throwing to hitters in live games is a step in the right direction,” Oilmen manager Adam Enright said. “Obviously, the outcome as far as strikes to balls was much better for all of them.” 

Everything went right for the Oilmen, totaling double-digit runs for the third time in four games.  

The bats were rolling, as the Oilmen recorded 13 hits and drew 10 walks. Offensively, power hitting was another aspect of the game, with newcomers Logan Anderson and Kevin Denty both hitting home runs. Both Anderson and Denty played their first games in an Oilmen uniform, and made a big impact for the team. 

Anderson went 2-for-5 at the plate, recording two RBIs, while Denty, an incoming freshman for Valparaiso University, was 2-for-4 with three RBIs.  

 “Things are coming together, and showing some balance offensively when you have some guys who get on base and steal bases and do some small ball things,” Enright said.   “Having guys who have some pop  get some instant runs on the board is big as well.”  

The Oilmen improve to 1-3 on the season, and will play the Elkhart County Miracle on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Nappanee, Ind.