The season may not have gone as originally hoped, but the Oak Harbor baseball team softened the blow of not making the playoffs by grinding out a 3-2, 10-inning victory over Monroe in their final game of the year.

“It was an exciting way to end a disappointing year,” head coach Jim Waller said.

With two down in the bottom of the 10th, John Lobbestael ended a pitching duel by ripping a line drive single over the right fielder’s head that scored Tom Moser from second base.

“The kids were talking in the dugout about looking for a first pitch fast ball; John got one and drove it,” Waller said.

Lobbestael’s hit was only the fourth off of Monroe’s Andy Snyder, who struck out ten and only gave up one earned run in 10 innings.

Ryan Johnson, who had already pitched four innings earlier in the week, also went 10 innings for Oak Harbor. He improved his record to 5-4 for the season, only allowing one earned run and striking out seven.

“Normally I wouldn’t start the same pitcher twice in the same week, but Ryan wanted another shot,” Waller said. “We agreed since he did not have to rest for a game later in the season, we would give it a try; obviously it worked out well.”

Johnson also picked up half of Oak Harbor’s hits on the afternoon going 2-for-4 with one RBI.

The Cats put up a solid defensive effort in their last game of the season, including the play of first baseman Zach Peattie. Peattie was moved up from junior varsity for Friday’s game to play with brother Justin, who is graduating this year. After original starter Mark Wasmund went down with an injury in the second inning, Zach came in and made some big plays for Oak Harbor.

“Zach stepped up in and did a great job…hitting a triple, making an outstanding defensive play at first base in the top of the 10th to save a run, then laying down a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the 10th to put the eventual run in scoring position,” Waller said.

With the win Oak Harbor finished the season with a final record of 5-11 in league and 9-11 overall.

“I truly felt and the players as well, that we had the talent to challenge for a playoff spot. Things didn’t work out—particularly our hitting— so our season ended prematurely. But the last win, and the way it happened, helped ease some of the pain of the season,” Waller said.

Monroe— 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0—2 6 4

Oak Harbor—1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1—3 4 1

Snyder and Ranko; Johnson and Prasser, Issacson (5); WP-Johnson 5-4, LP-Snyder. Oak Harbor 5-11 leauge, 9-11 overall; Monroe 4-10 league, 5-11 overall.