Two Wildcat errors in the seventh inning helped visiting Monroe score three runs and snatch away a 6-5 win at Oak Harbor High School Tuesday, April 20.
Oak Harbor’s shaky defense wasted a strong pitching performance by junior left-hander Jay Stout. Stout surrendered just three hits in over six innings of work, but five fielding errors and several mental lapses allowed the visiting Bearcats claim the Wesco win.
After Monroe scored in the top of the first on a double and two ground outs, Oak Harbor put up three runs of its own in the bottom half.
Sam Wolfe led off with a single and moved to second on Stout’s ground out. After a strike out, Brad Farnum walked. Pat Higbee followed with a two-run triple down the right field line; he scored off a single by Kian Mebane.
Oak Harbor wouldn’t score again until the seventh.
A double and three errors in the fourth allowed Monroe to knot the score at 3-3; that’s where the score stood until the seventh.
A Wildcat error allowed the first Bearcat to get aboard in the final inning. The next hitter reached safely on a lucky-bounce single. The next hitter bunted back to Stout who nailed the lead runner at third for the first out.
Then a second Oak Harbor error allowed one run to score. Coach Tyson VanDam then brought in Ryan Byrne to pitch; he was greeted by a single to load the bases. A ground out and wild pitch allowed the final two runs to score.
Monroe’s own shoddy defense enabled Oak Harbor to get back in the game.
Pinch hitter Justin Counts reached on an error to start the Wildcat half of the seventh. Wolfe singled, then after a strikeout, Yale Rosen also got aboard on an error and Oak Harbor had the bases loaded. Farnum grounded to short stop and the Bearcats forced Rosen at second and Counts scored from third.
Higbee walked to reload the bases. Mebane followed with another walk that forced in a run to make it 6-5. A ground out ended the threat and the game.
Monroe, with the help of a forfeit over Stanwood (the Spartans used an ineligible pitcher in a 10-6 win over the Bearcats) and two wins over Oak Harbor, jumped over the Wildcats into third place in the Wesco North with a 7-5 (7-9) mark. Oak Harbor (4-6, 7-7) dropped into a three way tie for fourth with Cascade (4-6, 4-10) and Arlington (5-7, 6-9), its next two opponents.
The Wildcats were rained out at Cascade today, April 21. They will make it up Monday, April 26. The ‘Cats entertain the Bruins Friday, April 23, at 4 p.m. Next week the Wildcats host Arlington Tuesday and then travel to the Eagles’ diamond Wednesday.
