The local senior team opens its campaign Friday on the road in Elkhorn. On Monday, the Oilers’ home opener will be against the Oak River Dodgers.
“We are looking forward to another great season of baseball in Virden,” player/organizer Jeff Peel said. “We are hoping to be competitive again and we want to play a hardnosed, pesky form of baseball. We are looking forward to playing in front of our great fans again, who have supported us for many, many years. We are so thankful for them.”
Last season the Oilers posted a 6-8 record. They lost to Oak River in the first round of the playoffs. The Virden squad returns the core from that season.
“Experience will definitely be a strength for this team,” Peel said. “The Oilers are getting a bit older now and I think that having guys who have played a lot of senior ball will help immensely. I also believe that our athleticism will help on the basepaths and our defence.”
Last season Mathew Strain paced the Oilers with a .429 batting average. Braeden Lewis batted .372 while leading the team in stolen bases with seven. Keifer Johnston’s 10 runs batted in was tops for the team. Peel pitched a team-high 29 innings and had two wins and a 4.83 earned run average. Curtis Plett threw 27.6 innings with three wins and a 4.30 ERA.
Brady Potter and Ryan Lewis are not returning this. However, Dreyson Potter will be back after a season away. The team also added Drew Allan, Bo Bootsman, Nathan Smith, and Erik Sigurdson.
Expos & Rockets
The Expos opened their first season since 2020 by hosting the Hamiota Red Sox on Wednesday after the Empire-Advance deadline. The Oilers visit the Expos on Friday. On Tuesday, the team plays host to the Deloraine Royals.
The Reston Rockets’ season got started Wednesday in Oak River. They play their home opener Friday versus the Royals. On May 31, they host the Rivers Comets.
