Call it ironic. Going into the final week of the LOL West regular season, the only reason the Lannon Stonemen made the playoffs this year was because the Five Os beat Brookfield in their final game. Without that loss to Brookfield, Lannon would not have made the LOL West playoffs for the first time in years. Well the Stonemen showed their gratitude to Oconomowoc by knocking them out of the playoffs. A solid pitching performance by Scott Doffek and terrible Oconomowoc defense was the reason for the Five Os loss. The Five Os committed five errors in the game which resulted in four unearned runs, three of them by third baseman Tim Schlosser. However, even without the errors, the Five Os were doomed by pitcher Scott Doffek. Doffek shut down the Five Os bats only allowing 6 hits all game. "Our hitting was my biggest concern going into the playoffs. I believe we were outhit by our opponents in the last six games but managed to still squeak out some wins. It was only a matter of time until it caught up to us", player/manager Jeff Rhoads stated. Catch up to them it did. The Five Os pushed across their only run using their first three batters of the game. Tim Schlosser led off the bottom half of the 1st for Oconomowoc with a double off the wall. Luke Nelson moved him over to third with a ground out when Jeff Rhoads hit a double to left center to score Schlosser. That would be the end of the scoring for Oconomowoc. "It doesnt matter if we had Roger Clemans pitching for us today, we didn't hit," Rhoads stated. Despite only having 6 hits, Oconomowoc did have their chances throughout the game. Down 3-1 in the bottom of the 5th, Oconomowoc had the bases loaded with Jeff Rhoads up. Rhoads scorched a line drive twords left center before being snagged by shortstop Dan Wnuk. In what could have tied the game, nearly ended in a double play. Derek Nelson then struck out to end the inning. The Five Os had runners on every inning for the rest of the game, including loading them up again in the 7th, but could not come up with the big hit. Lannon's bats sang a different tune. The Stonemen's pounded out 11 hits including six doubles. Doffek had two of them which contributed to his four RBIs on the day.
Luke Nelson took the loss for Oconomowoc. Despite striking out 14 batters, the Five Os gave Luke little support at the plate and on the field. Luke went the complete game giving up three earned runs, walking four, and hitting one batter. At the plate, Oconomowoc was led by Tim Schlosser who was 3 for 5 with a double and scored the only run for Oconomowoc.
Sunday's matchup featured Lannon at West Bend for the LOL West title. West Bend was able to squeak out the 5-4 win and will represent the LOL West in the Grand Championship which begins next Saturday.
The loss puts Oconomowoc's overall record at 26-8. Their only remaining games of the year are the Tri County playoffs which begin on Thursday. They square up against the West Bend Spirits who they did not play in the regular season.
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