Flyers 12, Challengers 4

Rookie Benny Räber started the Challengers' season opener but just lasted 4+ innings as the red-hot Flyers blasted him for seven runs, six of them earned.

Benny Räber was tagged for seven runs in the Challengers' season opener.

Räber (0-1) kept the game close over four innings, but lost it when he allowed the first three baserunners of the fifth inning to reach base. He then was exchanged for Roger Brunner, who tried to stop the Flyers' attack. He got the first batter to hit a grounder to third baseman Chris Palatinus, who couldn't block the ball and let it go through for a two-base error that allowed two more runs to score. Shortstop Mark Decker highlighted the inning by hitting a two-run home run deep to center field.

The lack of offensive production disabled the Challengers to seriously challenge the Flyers in a one-sided game. Both teams collected 11 hits, but the Challengers stranded most of their baserunners.

Alain Kurz of the Flyers pitched a strong game, striking out 10 of the 24 batters he faced. He gave up just one earned run on six hits and two base-on-balls. Pascal Durand started the seventh inning, but quickly gave up four hits in a row. Roy Allenspach then jumped in to extinguish the little fire the Challengers have started. He got Nicki Lehmann to pop out to left field, Yves Huber was tagged out trying to advance on Saentis Zeller's single and Thomas Landis struck out to end the game.

Second baseman Gary Kochlefl and center fielder Reto Siegel of the Flyers were the only two players to collect three hits apiece. Siegel fared better though, collecting three RBI's compared to none by Kochlefl.