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1999, 2007 Grand Champions
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SWABA Class A Champions 1996, 2003, 2006, 2008
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Cedarburg Wins 2008 LOL Grand Championship
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After getting second place the last two years, The Cedarburg Mercs have won the 2008 LOL Grand Championship by defeating Waterford 7-1 on Sunday. This is their second overall Grand Championship in the teams history with their first coming in 1997. Going into the final weekend, Cedarburg had no losses and would have to be beaten twice by Waterford who had one loss. It began to look like Cedarburg might have their heart broken again when they lost at home on Saturday to Waterford 11-10 to force the final, deciding game on Sunday at Waterford. But Cedarburg's bats and pitching were too much for Waterford on Sunday and they took home the title.
Stay tuned throughout the winter for 2009 updates and schedules as they become available.
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Lannon Wins Tri County Night League Championship
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The Lannon Stonemen defeated the West Bend 7-Up 10-5 in the 2008 Tri County Championship game on Friday night in West Bend. West Bend was undefeated in the regular season and playoffs (11-0) before losing the the #2 seed Stonemen. This marks the second year in a row a LOL West team has won the Tri County Championship (Brookfield Bulldogs in 2007).
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Bulldogs Advance to Grand Championship
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The 2008 LOL Grand Championship field is set. The Butler Dunns (17-7) will be representing the East, The Cedarburg Mercs (17-1) representing the North, Waterford Rivermen (19-3) representing the Southwest and Brookfield Bulldogs (15-3) representing the West. The first 2 rounds of games will be played on Saturday August 23 and Sunday August 24. After that, the remaining schedule and dates will be determined based on who is remaining. The Grand Championship uses a double elimination format.
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Five O's Season Ends with Loss to Brookfield
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Oconomowoc got shut out in the LOL West Semi-finals by the #1 seed Brookfield Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon. Shane Davis his a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 1st and Brookfield never looked back. Oconomowoc threatened at certain points of the game but were never able to deliver the key hit. In the first four innings, Oconomowoc left eight runners on base and 11 total for the game. The Bulldogs also played error-free baseball behind starter Josh Eidt however Oconomowoc committed four errors.
At the plate Oconomowoc was led by Mike Bolson who was 2 for 3 with a walk. Steve Rhoads was 2 for 4.
Tony Briggs took the loss for Oconomowoc going 5 innings allowing 6 runs on 8 hits while walking 4 and striking out 1. Mike Bolson came in for 2.2 innings of relief work giving up 8 runs (6 earned) on 9 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. Rob Becker came in for the final out of the game with a strikeout.
The loss ends Oconomowoc's season with a 19-14 record. This marks the 8th straight year Oconomowoc has made the playoffs in the LOL West, every year since the new format. The Five O's would like to thank their great fans and families for another wonderful year and look forward to the 2009 season.
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Five O's, West Bend Advance to Second Round of LOL West Playoffs
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The Five O's defeated the Brookfield Blue Sox 6-5 and West Bend defeated Sussex 4-2 to advance to the second round of the LOL West playoffs. Luke Nelson led the game off with some fireworks when he hit a home run to left field to give Oconomowoc a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 2nd Oconomowoc added another run when Steve Rhoads drew a one-out walk which was followed by Brett Marshall getting hit to put runners at first and second. Tony Briggs singled to load the bases up for the top of the order when Luke grounded out to score Rhoads. Brookfield put the score to 2-1 in the bottom of the 2nd when Pat Tobiaz walked and was scored on a double by Nick Rechlitz. Things stayed that way until the bottom of the 6th when Brookfield tied it up on an RBI single by Paul Archambault. Oconomowoc appeared to pull away with two runs in both the top of the 7th and top of the 8th to make it 6-2. Starting pitcher Luke Nelson had to come out of the game in the bottom of the 8th after having side pains. Tony Briggs was able to come in and get out of the inning but not before Brookfield scored 3 runs putting the score at 6-5. In the bottom of the 9th Nick Rechlitz led off with a single for Brookfield and was bunted to second. A walk and a wild pitch put runners at first and third. With two out Jim Pease hit a line drive to Luke Nelson who dove, fielded it and threw it out at first to win the game.
On the mound Luke Nelson got the win going 7+ innings allowing 5 runs on 8 hits while walking 3 and striking out 10. Tony Briggs got the save going 2 innings allowing 1 hit while walking 1 and striking out 1. John Arnold took the loss for Brookfield.
At the plate Oconomowoc was led by Luke Nelson who was 3 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs. Jeff Rhoads was also 3 for 5 in the game.
The Five O's will now play #1 seed Brookfield Bulldogs on Sunday at 1:00 pm in Brookfield. West Bend travels to Lannon to play at 2:30 pm.
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Newly Released: The (Mike) Mitchell Report
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It’s the day before Opening Day in the Land O’Lakes League, a day greeted with the same kind of anticipatory excitement as the swearing in of a new president or the arrival of a fresh keg at Winger’s. When the baseball world last saw Five-O’s rightfielder Mike Mitchell, he was being mobbed by jubilant teammates, adoring fans and throngs of beautiful women, as he was carried off Roosevelt Field in triumph, after delivering the hit that won the Western Division flag against Lannon last August. With his newfound fame and fortune, many observers wondered what the conquering hero might do in the offseason. It turned out, the tour circuit kept him plenty busy, and no mere news story on it would suffice. Click here for full article.
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Gunnar's Self-Directed Film Takes First at Sundance
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Gunnar Kroseberg's first endeavor into the film making industry has apparently been a success. His self-directed short film titled "A Fine Day For A Smoke", swept through Sundance taking all awards in the short-film category and many awards in other categories it should not have even been eligible for, including "Best Foreign Film". Although Gunnar's first film, critics are already comparing him to the likes of Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg (no relation) and George Lucas. The whirlwind of praise this film has received has also gotten the attention of Hollywood studios. Paramount Pictures has offered Kroseberg a six picture deal and Universal Pictures is working on a larger offer. Rumors are out that stars such as Johnny Depp and Julia Roberts have offered to work for free to land a role in a "Kroseberg Productions" film.
Staying true to his roots, Kroseberg will most likely stick to small, independent, silent films about smoking.
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2007 Grand Champion T-Shirts Available
Now you can own one of the t-shirts commemorating the 2007 Land O' Lakes Grand Championship title. Check out the new merchandise page to view them along with hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and more.
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Five Os Fishery a Huge Success
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The Five Os would like to thank everyone who attended and helped out at the 1st Annual Five O's Fishery. We had nice weather, nice fish and nice beer. The winning fish were a 33 1/2" Northern and a 10 1/2" Perch. Another highlight of the day was Jamma's State Record Miller Bass (seen left). Special thanks goes out to DaleyDorf's German Bar, The Next Bar, ABEE Ink, Pat's Heating & Cooling and Cornerstone Pub for hosting and sponsoring the event. We hope to see everyone there again next year.
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A Championship For The Storybooks
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-by Dan Flaherty
In the course of history, there have been many tales of revenge and redemption. In the classic novel The Count of Monte Cristo, Edmond Dantes was wrongfully imprisoned for thirteen years, before escaping and wreaking vengeance on his adversaries. But if only Dantes’ would have known the hell of three straight home losses to Lannon in the playoffs, and might have understood the Five-O’s.
Great literature has produced stories celebrating the virtue of teamwork in a battle against the larger forces. In The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck poignantly captured the trials and struggles of a Depression-era family as they struggled against an unjust society. But if only Steinbeck might have thought to weave a tale of a gutty young lefthander battling through the rain against a deep and battle-tested lineup, and he would then have grasped the Five-O’s.
Everyone loves a story of the underdog rising up against the odds. For centuries, the Irish peasantry rose up against the British Empire to protest for their freedom. They finally got it. But if only the Irish peasantry would have faced a two-run deficit with two outs and down to their last strike, and they would then have truly walked in the shoes of the Five-O’s.
For it was on a drizzly Saturday afternoon at Roosevelt Field, it seemed as though the panaroma of human culture was swept up and coalesced into a single game of baseball, as Lannon and Oconomowoc hooked up in an exquisitely played championship game.
It was a battle of crafty lefthanders, as young Matt Schref squared off with Lannon’s ageless Ron Kozlowski. The Stonemen missed some opportunities early, as Schref got key outs. Though the visitors got the game’s first run in the third, it could have been more, and it set the tone for an afternoon where both teams would be left with an array of “what might have been’s” to look back on.
The O’s tied the game in the fourth. The teams traded runs again in the fifth. This it was time for Oconomowoc to say what might have been. In the fourth inning, a single by Steve Rhoads looked to give the O’s the lead, but an outstanding pickup and throw cut the runner down at the plate. And with one out in the bottom of the fifth, the bases loaded and Koslowski on the ropes, Mike Mitchell bounced into a 1-2-3 double play. But Mitchell swore his vengeance.
Lannon had an opportunity in the top of the seventh, putting the first two runners aboard. But a double-play ball killed the rally. And with the top of the order coming up, the momentum was on Oconomowoc’s side. But Koslowski reached into his considerable stores of courage and guile, and made sure a leadoff baserunner didn’t make it home.
In the top of the eight, the Stoneman got the leadoff man aboard with a single and bunted him over. Schref got the second out. Then an error on a routine groundball gave Lannon new life, with runners on first and third. And Five-O’s fans began to feel like this was a novel with an ending they’d read before.
The story looked even more frustratingly familiar with the lead run came across on an infield single so weakly struck, it barely made it to the mound. Then a single to left brought in what looked to be an insurance run. But it might have been worse—catcher Josh Fenzl threw out a runner trying to go to third on the throw home. Oconomowoc didn’t get a run in the eighth, but the one baserunner the bottom of the lineup produced did ensure an extra at-bat for the big guns at the top of the order.
With one out, Jeff Rhoads pushed a drag bunt past Koslowski and beat it out by a step. It was a brilliant bunt. More amazingly, it was Rhoads’ third bunt hit of the game, as he repudiated the notion held by some that bunting is one of the game’s lost arts. Tim Schlosser singled, moving Rhoads up to second. This would be the last hitter for Koslowski, as he departed the game having turned in the latest virtuoso performance in a career littered with them. But was it enough?
At first it appeared it would be. On a passed ball, while Rhoads advanced to third, Schlosser was thrown out at second. The Stonemen were one out from forcing a final showdown on Sunday. Luke Nelson was Oconomowoc’s last hope.
Nelson drew a walk and the tying run was back on base. And after a wild pitch sent him to second, the fires of hope were again burning bright in the O’s dugout. With men on second and third, they were a base hit from tying it up. Lannon reliever Scott Doffek got the first two strikes on Derek Nelson. But #44 hung tough. And just like another #44—Reggie Jackson—he would deliver a big postseason hit A single to center made it 4-4. And when it was misplayed and rolled to the wall, the winning run was now in scoring position. It was a new ballgame.
The ironies now abounded. Nelson would be pinch run for. And this was the moment Mike Eppler had trained for. After a career filled with winning the Heisman Trophy, capturing the Preakness on foot, signing a multi-million dollar contract with the 49ers, and even representing Five-O’s Nation at the U.N.’s General Assembly, he now faced his greatest challenge. He went in to run for Nelson, representing the run that could win the West. And the hitter with a chance to be a hero? None other then Mike Mitchell.
It didn’t take Mitchell long, as he jumped all over Doffek. The ball was rocketed into the right-centerfield gap. Eppler rounded third. With the fall of the Lannon Kingdom at hand, the peasants came charging out of the dugout to greet their conquering hero at home plate.
The final history of this great rebellion produced heroes aplenty. Mitchell was the man in the hour in Oconomowoc and will surely never have to buy a meal in this town again. Schref earned a place in the history books with his clutch win. Like the other #44, Derek Nelson earned the title of Mr. August. And the man who scored the winning run? Well, Mike Eppler will surely be the source of inspiration for novelists and screenwriters for ages to come.
And that’s how the West was won, circa 2007.
More about Dan
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Eppler Celebrates Death of Barbaro, Draws Suspicion
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1/29/2007 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro was euthanized early Monday morning at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center in Kennett Square. The sad ending to the great horse's story came after a series of setbacks following a devastating leg injury allegedly caused by Five O's outfielder Mike Eppler. Eppler, already tried and convicted in the court of public opinion, has somehow avoided any real criminal charges in the matter, thanks to a series of back-alley deals brokered by his father Earl. Eppler to this day denies any wrong-doing, despite strong photographic evidence suggesting otherwise. Full Story
Related Story: Eppler Wins Preakness – ON FOOT!
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Eppler Wins Preakness – ON FOOT!
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In perhaps the most bizarre incident in the history of horseracing, Oconomowoc Five Os outfielder Mike Eppler won Saturday's Preakness Stakes, finishing the final mile of the 1 and 3/16 mile race on foot. (click for full story)
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2005 Heisman Trophy Goes To Eppler
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In what can only be classified as a shocking turn of events, the 2005 Heisman Trophy has been awarded to USC quarterback and Five Os outfielder Mike Eppler. After Reggie Bush appeared to win in a landslide at Saturday's Heisman Presentation Ceremony, Mike Eppler, who was not initially listed as a finalist, demanded a recount of Heisman votes. The ceremony was held for a second time Monday evening, at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City. This time, the sports world was turned on its ear, as Mike Eppler won (click for full story)
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President Bush Appoints Eppler Historic Seat At U.N.
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The political world was shaken yesterday by news coming out of Washington. Under heavy pressure from President Bush, this emerging dynasty was granted a vote on the elite Security Council. It was little doubt which member of the Five Os will hold this historic post: none other than Mike Eppler. (click for full story)
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Record NFL Deal Makes Eppler Two-Sport Star
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Only two weeks removed from the 2005 NFL draft, the San Francisco 49ers shocked many NFL observers on Monday by cutting first overall pick Alex Smith, and signing undrafted rookie free agent and Five Os outfielder Mike Eppler to a 9 year, $227 million contract. (click for full story)
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Eppler Raises Eyebrows in Congressional Steroid Probe
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Following his March 16th subpoena to appear before the Government Reform Committee, Oconomowoc Five Os outfielder Mike Eppler made certain his appearance on Capital Hill would be a memorable one. (click for full story)
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