By Nicholas Huenefeld

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

TONTOGANY — The Otsego softball team had a six-game winning streak snapped on Monday with a 9-1 loss at home to Oak Harbor.

The visiting Rockets, which came into the game ranked seventh in the latest Division III state poll, took advantage of three errors in the top of the third to push across five runs.

In the seventh, another Otsego error with two outs helped spur a three-run rally.

“Oak Harbor is very good, ranked in the state, top 10,” Otsego coach Jason Colyer said. “Offensively, they’re a good team and their pitcher does a decent job, so we knew it was a challenge.

Going in, it’s tough when you give a good team some extra opportunities. They do a good job of putting the ball in play and making everyone work.”

Riley Rowe went the distance in the circle for Otsego (15-7), who took the tough-luck loss. The righty struck out 10 batters while eight of the nine runs she allowed were unearned.

“I told the kids, you take away (the third) inning and it’s 1-1 for a majority of the game, which was very similar to the last time we played,” Colyer said. “I told them mistakes and errors are part of the game, at the highest level and at our level. When you have a few seconds to look at that, move on and go from there.”

Otsego’s lone run came in the third. Mackenzie Shirkey and Sabrina Martinez-Buehrer led off with back-to-back singles. A double play threatened to snuff out the rally, but Ryleigh O’Brien delivered an RBI double to left.

The Knights then loaded the bases with two outs, but a groundout ended the inning.

The top three batters in Oak Harbor’s lineup combined for seven hits, five runs and five RBIs against Rowe.

Porter Gregory, the three-hole hitter, led the way with a 4-for-5 performance that included two RBIs and a run. Reese Adkins was 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, and Alyse Sorg was 1-for-3 with two runs, an RBI and a walk.

O’Brien led the Knights offensively, finishing 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI while four others tallied one hit apiece.

With the victory, Oak Harbor avenged a 2-1 loss to Otsego on April 19. Including that outing, Rowe has tossed 14 innings in the circle against the Rockets while striking out 17.

Otsego will return to league play at Eastwood on Wednesday.