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Whiting, Ind. – August 15, 2020 – The DuPage County Hounds (21-12, 1-0) took Game 1 of the Midwest Collegiate League Championship Series and defeated the Northwest Indiana Oilmen (24-11, 0-1), 8-4, at Oil City Stadium in Whiting, Indiana. 

DuPage County’s offense attacked the Oilmen pitching tonight as they scored 8 runs to go along with 11 hits to take down the Oilmen and secure the game one victory. John San Jule (Columbia University / San Luis Obispo, CA) helped give the Hounds the win with an impressive performance at the plate, he went 4-6 with three singles, triple and 3 RBI’s. Nick Zeeveld (Illinois Springfield / Pleasant Prairie, Wis.) helped contribute as well, going 1-4 with 2 RBI’s to help DuPage County pull out the victory in game one.

“They came out here hungry and came out here with something to prove as an offense. We haven’t really been putting up many runs at Oil City Stadium this year,” Hounds Manager Ben Caple said. “They came out here with a little fire under their rear ends and it paid dividends tonight.”

DuPage County starter Seth Masters (Illinois Springfield / Orland Park, Ill.) threw five innings without allowing an earned run, walked three and struck out eight on the day. The Oilmen hitters struggled against the Hounds' pitching today as they only recorded two earned runs against the Hounds pitching staff.

“I felt pretty good today, I’ve seen this lineup a bunch of times this season and have been pretty used to them and know how to go about with my day when pitching against them,” Masters said. “We executed against them and played pretty well tonight.”

“He went out there and attacked their hitters right off the bat and a couple of their hitters drove into some long counts and he got into some trouble but found a way to grind through it,” Caple said. “The kid is just a battler and goes out there not afraid to compete even when things aren't going his way. It was really nice to see him doing what he’s been doing all season long in such a big game."

Many fans didn't expect to see potential Pitcher Of The Year, Jordan Smevoll (Webster University / Dyer, Ind.) head out to close down the game in the bottom of the 9th with a comfortable 8-3 lead.

“I just wanted to secure the game and I know what to expect out of him, Caple said. “Five run leads in this league are not very comfortable and especially in the Championship Series. I just knew what to expect out of him and he came in the game and got the job done.”

DuPage County will be back in action Sunday as they look to take home the Midwest Collegiate League Championship against the Northwest Indiana Oilmen at Oil City Stadium in Whiting, Indiana starting at 6:10 P.M. on the Oilmen Broadcast Network, fans can watch the game via Facebook Live.