SHELBY, Ohio — Things were off from the get-go.
In a sign of things to come, an error by Oak Harbor in the first inning allowed Bucyrus Wynford to score two early runs.
The second-seeded Rockets never righted the ship, committing five errors in a 7-2 Division III district final loss to third-seeded Wynford on Saturday at Shelby High School.
"Self-inflicted wounds," Oak Harbor coach Nick Lance said. "Hats off to Wynford. They swing it well. [Grant] McGuire is back-to-back District 9 Player of the Year. He was the one we were worried about, but obviously they've got more than just him."
Oak Harbor finished the season 19-7.
"I'm super proud of my guys and how they battled all year," Lance said. "At the end of the day, if I had to go to war tomorrow, I'd go to war with all my boys. I'd take them over anybody."
In the first inning, Spencer Miller walked before Kaiden Blair singled for the Royals (21-8). McGuire followed with another single. The ball was booted in the outfield, allowing both Miller and Blair to race around and score.
The Rockets were able to make a couple of nice plays early to keep within striking distance. After McGuire's hit, a ball rocketed toward Karson Lash was caught and turned into a double play, getting McGuire at second.
In the third, Miller singled with one out, but Oak Harbor pitcher Brayden Myerholtz tallied a strikeout as Brayden Butzin threw Miller out at second for yet another double play.
The Rockets struggled to cash in on opportunities to score early. In the first inning, Cooper Schultz singled, Butzin walked, and Tim Marquette was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Looking to strike right back, Oak Harbor didn't convert. A popout was caught on the infield and Butzin was tagged out near second to end the inning.
The Rockets also loaded the bases in the second inning, but a flyout ended the threat.
Oak Harbor finally got on the scoreboard. Butzin was hit by a pitch to start the third inning before Marquette tattooed a run-scoring triple to get within 2-1. The Rockets again missed on an opportunity, as a bunt groundout turned into a double play as Marquette was tagged out at home.
"You have to execute," Lance said. "You have to come up with the big hit sometimes. We just didn't cash in."
Errors really blew the game open in the fourth inning. McGuire doubled and Drew Johnson was hit by a pitch to get Wynford going. Brett Crall then laid down a bunt, but the throw to first was dropped, loading the bases.
That ended Myerholtz's day on the mound, giving way to Marquette. He induced a groundball with the infield in, but the throw home was dropped, scoring a run.
Landon Miller followed with a two-run single and later, Spencer Miller walked with the bases loaded to make it 6-1.
Oak Harbor got another RBI triple in the fourth inning, but he again couldn't build on it. Schultz singled with two outs before Michael Lalonde laced a shot to the fence.
The Rockets tallied three triples in the first four innings, but none of those three hitters scored. If Oak Harbor gets those three runs, perhaps the game is a bit different.
"Our defense was able to throw a couple guys out," Wynford coach Tim Smith said. "The defense played real strong tonight."
Blair allowed two runs on six hits for Wynford. He walked five, hit two batters, and struck out just one.
"Kaiden stays calm," Smith said. "He goes out and does his business and doesn't seem to ever get rattled."
Myerholtz was tagged for five runs in four hits in three innings. Marquette gave up two runs on three hits in four innings.
"I'm just proud of what my guys have accomplished," Lance said. "To get back to this stage again says something. We have to get over that hurdle. We're going to get there. We're going to get this game and go on to regionals."
Marquette, Myerholtz, and Jacob Sandwisch are seniors for Oak Harbor.
"We've got some talented young freshmen this year that were down on junior varsity that we hope to bring up and maybe get us over that hurdle," Lance said. "That'll give us a couple extra arms and couple other sticks.
"I hope to be right back here next year playing for another district title."
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