In a game that had it all, Oconomowoc came up on the losing end of a 12 inning heartbreaker to Neosho in Tri County action on Wednesday night. Neosho got on the board early scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. In the top of the third Oconomowoc was able to get on the board only to have Neosho answer in their half of the inning. In the third, pitcher Matt Schref hit a one out single to right field. Tim Schlosser then followed up with an infield single to put runs on first and second. Shawn Thremaine struck out and then with two outs Jeff Rhoads lined a double in the gap. Matt scored on the play but Tim Schlosser was thrown out at home.
Down 3-1 in the 7th, the Five Os managed to tie the game with a two out rally that scored two runs. With two outs, Matt once again led off with a single. Tim followed with a single of his own and then Shawn Tremaine was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jeff Rhoads stepped up again and hit a single to center field to score Matt and Tim. In the 7th, 8th and 9th innings, Neosho got their leadoff hitter on, only to leave them stranded by pitcher Kirk Ressler who came on to relieve Matt in the 7th inning. Perhaps Neosho's best chance to win the game came in the bottom of the 11th when they had runners on first and third with nobody out. Kirk stepped up and struck out the next batter for the first out. Then Neosho attempted a suicide squeeze bunt which was botched and resulted in a caught stealing at home. With two outs and a man on second, Kirk then struck out the batter for the third out.
The 12th inning proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the Five Os. In their half of the inning Kirk helped himself by leading off with a walk and then taking second base on a throwing mishap by Neosho. Tim Schlosser moved Kirk over to third on a groundout when Shawn Tremaine stepped up and hit a groundball to the shortstop. The infield was up and Kirk broke for home. With a very close play at the plate Kirk was able to slide around the tag and give Oconomowoc a one run lead. After a double to Jeff Rhoads, Neosho attempted to intentionally walk Derek Nelson, but instead threw a wild pitch that allowed Shawn Tremaine to score for the 2nd run of the inning for Oconomowoc. Things were looking good for Oconomowoc going into the bottom of the 12th.
Neosho led off the inning with a solo home run, cutting the lead to one. Ressler then walked the next batter to put a man on first with no one out. Showing unrelenting fear, Kirk then struck out the next two batters. With two outs, Neosho's lead off hitter was able to beat out an infield single to put the tieing run at second and the winning run at first with two outs. With two strikes on the next hitter and one strike away from a victory, Neosho's batter turned on a curveball from Ressler and drove it over the left field fence into the meat processing plant for a walk-off home run.
The loss puts Oconomowoc at 19-5 overall and is their third straight. Taking the tough loss was Kirk Ressler, his first of the season. Kirk threw very well going 5 2/3 innings, giving up 4 earned runs (all in the 12th), walking 2 and striking out 10. Matt Schref got no decision and threw the first 6 innings giving up 2 earned runs, walking 3, hitting a batter and allowing 6 hits. At the plate The Five Os were led by Jeff Rhoads who was 4 for 6 with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs. Oconomowoc was outhit 12 to 8 by Neosho and had 6 errors to Neosho's 0.
Oconomowoc still holds a half game lead over Clyman in the Tri County Night League. Their final Tri County game of the year is against Clyman. They continue LOL action this weekend with a 2:00 pm game at Brookfield on Saturday and 1:00 pm home game against Lannon on Sunday.
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