Oconomowoc Keeps Top Seed Despite Loss

Format still gives Five-O's a big edge

Oconomowoc's loss in the final regular season game did cost them an automatic birth into the 2007 Land O' Lakes Grand Championships, but their first place finish gives them an edge in the Western Division playoffs set to begin on August 11th.

The top seed is guaranteed a spot in the division championship game on Sunday, August 18th against the winner of a six-team playoff tournament which Oconomowoc is also a part of.  In addition, the top two seeds are given first round byes in the tournament. 

Playoffs are scheduled to start on Saturday, August 11th, with the #6 seed at the #3 and the #5 seed at the #4.  The winners of those games travel to the #1 and #2 seeds for games on Sunday, August 12th.  The playoff finals would be August 19th & 20th if necessary.

Backing In

Loss costs Blue Sox a home game in unexpected playoffs

August 4, 2007  -  Brookfield, WI - The Brookfield Blue Sox dropped a home game, but received a big boost as news came in from Oconomowoc.

After trailing early and not being able to come up with any late inning heorics, Brookfield was left to scoreboard watch.  Sussex scored 3 runs early against starter Johnny Arnold. After a single run in the third cut the deficit to 3-1, Sussex responded with an unearned tally in the 4th, after an infield error to lead off the frame.

The Sox biggest rally came in the 7th. With the bases loaded and two-outs, Pat Tobiasz lined a two-run double into the left field gap to make it 4-3. The rally also ended on that hit, as Jim Pease was thrown out trying to score from 1st on the play. The Sox would not threaten in the 8th or 9th, and Sussex added an insurance run in their half of the 9th to make it 5-3.

Home Reruns

Seventh inning homerun starts another late inning surge

July 29, 2007  -  Brookfield, WI - Getting somewhat predictable in their efforts, the Brookfield Blue Sox started slow, stayed in striking distance, and put together a big inning or two to win at McCoy later in the game.

That was the summary of last Sunday's win against Pewaukee, with a 6-run sixth, and it was the summary of this Sunday's win against Monches, with a 3-run seventh and a 2-run eighth.

"I'd like to see us be a bit more consistent with our offense," mentioned player/manager Jeff Lemmermann.  "We've been able to put up some big numbers late, and fortunately, not dig too deep of a hole early."

Bill Posteluk delivered the big blow for the Sox in the seventh.  Trailing 3-2 with two on and one out, he hit his first homerun of the season, and deep drive on top of the batting cage in right field at McCoy, to give Brookfield their first lead of the game.  Posteluk, who has hit 14 homeruns over the past three seasons, had been uncharacteristic with his lack of power this year.

"That was a no-doubter.  It is good for him to get the first one because I know he was pressing a bit to get one out,"  said Lemmermann about the Posteluk blast.

Johnny Arnold made that lead stand up for his 9th win of the season.  He gave up single runs in the first, fourth, and fifth, but shutout the Irish in the final four innings to earn the victory, striking out 10 while walking three.

Monches managed 13 hits in the game, including a 4 for 5 day by catcher Kevin Doerr and at least one hit by every starter.  They ended up stranding 15 runners though, and didn't score after squeezing home their thrid run of the game in the fifth.

The Sox, after a slow start, have now won 7 of their last 9 games and have moved into a thrid place tie with the Brookfield Bulldogs and West Bend.  they will play their final regular season game of 2007 on Saturday, August 4th at McCoy Field.  Game time is 2:00

Bill Posteluk gets his first HR of the year against Monches

Sox Deep Six Muskies

July 22, 2007  -  Brookfield, WI - What a difference an inning can make.   Trailing 3-0 against Pewaukee, with Musky pitcher Robert Michelkiewicz having given up just one hit through the first five and two-thirds innings, Paul Archambault's infield single seemed to be a harmless scratch in a great pitcher's outing.  Michelkiewicz had just retired six straight batters, and no Sox runner had gotten past second base in the game.

Six batters later, Brookfield had seized control of the game, turning a three-run deficit into a three-run lead.

"That is how quickly a game can turn around," commented player/manager Jeff Lemmermann.  "We hadn't really put anything together offensively, but we played solid defense up to that point to keep us in the game.  They had an error to keep our rally going, and we were really able to capitalize."

That error came after Pat Tobiasz put the Sox on the board with a double to straight-away center field, scoring Archambault from first.  Johnny Arnold drew one of his three walks in the game, and Ken Poniewaz put soft roller between third base and the pitchers mound.  Michelkiewicz bobbled momentarily, but threw in time to first base to get Poniewaz.  The throw, however, handcuffed Pewaukee 1st Baseman Zack Rivera to keep the inning alive, loading the bases.  Nick Rechlitz was hit by an inside fastball on the next pitch to make it 3-2, with the bases still loaded.

Johnny Arnold gets win number eight against Pewaukee

Lemmermann unloaded the bases with a three-run triple, turning the harmless Archambault scratch into a full-blown infection, giving Brookfield their first lead of the game at 5-3.

"There were a few people around the league who would have liked that hit to come in about the same situation against Oconomowoc," noted Lemmermann about a 4-3 loss on July 4th against the still undefeated Oconomowoc team.  "I'm glad we could put together a few hits though, since that has been a problem for us all year, and glad I could get one of those key hits."

Jay Wojcinski put together one more hit to cap off the rally, scoring Lemmermann on a single up the middle to put Brookfield up 6-3.

Sox starter Arnold ran away and hid with that lead, retiring eight of the last nine batters he faced, surrendering one hit and one walk over the final three innings.  It was the eighth win on the season for Arnold, giving up six hits and striking out five in defeating a team he lead to a Grand Championship in 2003 over the Blue Sox.

"I know Johnny's back was sore, but he battled like he usually does and kept us in a position to win.  Sometimes one inning of offense is enough when you play nine innings of defense," added Lemmermann.

Brookfield was error free in the game for the seventh time this season, and they are 5-2 in those games.

The win put the Sox into a fourth-place tie with West Bend at 10-6.  The top six teams in the division qualify for the post-season playoffs, but only if Oconomowoc loses one of its final two games.  If any team goes undefeated throughout the regular season, the division playoffs are cancelled, and that team automatically advances to the Land O' Lakes Grand Championship.

Brookfield will be at home for their final two games of the season.  The Sox will take on Monches on Sunday, July 29th at McCoy field.  Game time is 1:00 P.M., with the regular season finale on Saturday, August 4th against Sussex at 2:00 P.M.

May 28, 2007  -  Douglas  A. Londo, an All-Star outfielder for the Brookfield II franchise throughout much of the 1990's passed away on May 28, 2007 after a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease.)

"He was part of a group that transformed this franchise from its early days of mediocrity to one that contended in the division every year," noted long-time friend and teammate Jeff Lemmermann.

"The energy he brought to the game was the same energy he lived his life with.  He made every one he played with better, and made everyone he met better."

Londo was Brookfield's centerfielder while Dr. Mike Collopy coached the franchise, coming from UW-Parkside where he earned his bachelor's degree while playing on a baseball scholarship for Wisconsin Hall-of-Fame coach Ken "Red" Oberbrunner.

His obituary as printed in the 5/31/2007 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Londo, Douglas A. "Doug" Born to everlasting life on May 28, 2007, at the age of 39. Beloved son of David and the late JoAnn.

 Loving father of Isabella and Lilliana. Dear brother of Theresa (David) Granados. Grandson of Lawrence Londo. Further survived by his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew, cousins, other relatives and friends Founder of "Living With Foundation." "Christ's suffering and death on the cross has taught me that within the midst of our greatest trials, character is necessary. It's in the cross that I find hope, inspiration, strength and salvation." Doug Londo Doug's life was blessed with remarkable character, bold courage, unquenchable passion, unshakeable faith and profound purpose. He used all of his God given talents for the benefit of others. In the face of great adversity he persevered with humility, patience and grace. He brought hope and courage to all who knew him. Visitation Sunday, June 3 at the FUNERAL HOME, from 4-9PM, with A CELEBRATION OF DOUG'S LIFE at 6:00PM. Visitation on Monday, June 4 at VICTORY INTERNATIONAL FELLOWSHIP, 3285 N. Calhoun Rd. in Brookfield at 9:00AM until time of the FUNERAL SERVICE at 10:00AM. Interment 12:00PM Monday, June 4 at Highland Memorial Park, 14875 W. Greenfield Ave. in New Berlin, please meet at Cemetery Entrance. SCHMIDT & BARTELT Funeral and Cremation Service 10121 W. North Ave. Wauwatosa (414) 774-5010