Oconomowoc's final Tri County regular season game turned out to be a good one, but Clyman ended up taking the win with a 9th inning run. The matchup put first place Oconomowoc against second place Clyman. Going into the top of the 9th inning, Clyman appeared they were going to coast to a 4-0 victory and end Oconomowoc's 470+ game streak of not being shutout. Josh Fenzl led off the 9th for Oconomowoc with a single and Erik Olson followed with a four pitch walk to put runners at first and second. After failing to get a bunt down, Gunnar Kroseberg was struck out by Clyman pitcher Jesse Schwefel. With one out Dan Schlosser hit an infield single to load up the bases. Tim Schlosser then stepped up and hit another infield single which Clyman shortstop Mike Oiler threw over the first baseman's head. The play cut Clyman's lead down to 4-2 and put runners and second and third for Oconomowoc. Shawn Tremaine then stepped up and hit a sacrafice fly to score Dan Schlosser from third. After an intentional walk to Jeff Rhoads, Derek Nelson hit a clutch two-out single to score Tim Schlosser and tie the game. When the inning was over, the Five Os batted around and tied the game at 4-4.
In the bottom of the 9th, Clyman, who is undefeated (13-0) in the Rock River, proved why they are ranked #3 in the state. Pitcher Matt Schref got the leadoff hitter to ground out and with out out, Andy Frame singled to right and the ball got behind Dan Schlosser to advance him to second. Mike Oiler was then walked to put runners at first and second with one out. Schref fell behind the next hitter and ended up walking him to load the bases. Kyle Krueger then stepped up and with Oconomowoc's infield drawn in, was able to hit a chopper up the middle to score a run and end the game.
The loss finsihes the Tri County regular season for Oconomowoc with a 7-3 record. In all of the Five Os Tri County losses this year, they lost in the final inning and had to walk off. The Tri County standings are still wide open. Oconomowoc can still finish as high as 1st place and as low as 7th place. The top eight teams make the playoffs for the Tri County Night League.
Taking the loss for Oconomowoc and his first of the year was Matt Schref. Matt threw 3 and 1/3 innings, gave up one earned run, struck out two, walked three and gave up five hits. Kirk Ressler started the game for Oconomowoc and went 5 innings, gave up three earned runs, walked one and allowed eight hits. At the plate, Oconomowoc was led by Jeff Rhoads who was 3 for 4 with a walk. Derek Nelson and Josh Fenzl both added two hits to the losing effort.
The Five Os next matchup is the SWABA semi-finals on Friday night. Oconomowoc squares up against Neosho at 8:30 pm in Hustisford. Neosho beat Oconomowoc last week in 12 innings. This weekend Oconomowoc has another LOL double header with a game at Sussex on Saturday and at North Lake on Sunday.
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