5.9 Game Preview

SLAMMERS OPEN 2024 SEASON IN PRIMETIME, TAKE ON SLUG N' CHUG

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - The Oakton Slammers will open the season on Thursday night by playing against the expansion team Slug N' Chug for the first time in franchise history. The game will take the primetime slot with a 7:30pm scheduled first pitch.

The Slammers are opening the 2024 season with a lot of hype, as the 2023 team took home two wins for the first time in history.

"At least three wins is definitely a goal of ours this season," Director of Player Development Nick Sobieszczyk said during the team's media availability. "We hope to position ourselves for a potential playoff win."

Thursday night could provide a solid start, as new teams sometimes struggle in 16" softball.

"We know what that's like all too well," Chief Operating Officer CJ Zimmerman stated bluntly. "The truth is, we don't know their history at all. They could have been the best team in a different league and ended up transferring to ours."

The league commissioner's office does not make available information on teams' history.

OFFSEASON REVIEW: This offseason was a busy one for the Slammers. After attending the Winter Meetings, General Manager Zach Wulbert and Assistant GM Mike Leahy were busy with new acquisitions. The team signed four position players during free agency: utility player Peter Lamick, center fielder Eric Levin, middle infielder Patrick McGarry, and middle infielder Dan Bartnicki. 

"We had some major holes to fill with the departures of longtime players Tony Nagle, Ryan Kowalski, and Rob Kowalski," Wulbert said. "We will certainly miss having those guys on the field, but I think we managed to pull in some premiere talent."

The offseason also included a team trip to Las Vegas, spring training, and a branding update that included new uniforms. It was capped off with the announcement that Br. Rob Robertson, CSV, would serve as the team's chaplain for the 2024 season.

WITH A WIN: Slug N' Chug would advance to 1-0, earning their first win in franchise history.

The Slammers would advance to 1-0, earning their fourth win in franchise history. They would also be 1-0 against a team for the third time ever, after starting 1-0 against the Hammerhogs in 2021 and against Foul, No Catch in 2023.

In addition, the 1-0 start would mark the first time in franchise history the Slammers would be above the .500 mark.

GIVEAWAY: The first 100 fans in attendance at Thursday night's game will receive an Oakton Slammers sticker.

WHITE OUT: The Slammers are showcasing their new home jerseys on Thursday, and ask all fans to participate in the "White Out" theme. Follow @oaktonslammers on Instagram and Twitter for more.