6.15 Game Preview

SLAMMERS WELCOME BACK ALUMNI AGAINST COURTLAND'S GARAGE

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS: The Oakton Slammers (0-6) will face off against Courtland's Garage (4-2) on Thursday Night. First pitch is scheduled for 9:30pm at Melas Park.

The Slammers are coming off their worst game of the season, one that saw them on the wrong end of a 25-3 final score against the league-leader in run differential, Buschhh Leaguers. 

"Defensively, we didn't make too many egregious mistakes. They just kept hitting it in the gap," bench coach CJ Zimmerman observed.

Meanwhile, the offensive slump that has plagued the team for several weeks continued. The Slammers could get nothing going until the last inning, when they strung together four hits for their three runs.

"I take full responsibility," hitting coach Krystal Harris stated when asked about the hitting woes.

The Slammers will be faced once again with a tall task to earn their first win of the season, as Courtland's Garage has been playing well in their first season in this league. They currently clock in as the 3rd-place team, with a +16 run differential.

"We need everyone on base," team manager Zach Wulbert said. "We will only win this game with consistent singles and walks. I'll be shuffling the lineup to try to string together guys who have been consistently getting on."

The Slammers need something to change quickly, as they have crossed the midway point of the season and are in the home stretch.

ALUMNI RETURN: Thursday's game will feature two of the original Slammers, Pat McGarry and Jason Wilhite. Both have been playing for the AAA Palatine Dingers this season, and are expected to be called up for one game this week.

TEAM LEADERS: Three players lead the team with a .467 OBP: Shortstop Jimmy Latal, Wulbert, and catcher Nels Flink. Flink has the team lead with 7 hits, while Latal has driven in a team-high 5 runs.

WITH A WIN: Courtland's Garage would advance to 5-2, and remain in the top half of the league standings.

The Slammers would advance to 1-6, earning their second win in franchise history. It would be their first win in as many tries against Courtland's Garage, as this is their first matchup.

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