Challengers outhit Eagles, win 15-5

Thomas Landis hit two homers and collected a season-high six RBI's en route to a 15-5 win by the Challengers over the Reussbühl Eagles on Sunday.

	Benny Räber picked up his second win of the season by pitching five strong innings.

It was the most RBI's by Landis since collecting seven against the Bern Cardinals in Game 1 of last year's Playoffs Semifinals.

Anubis Benitez and Chris Palatinus also homered for the Challengers as they jumped on starter Jerome Müller by scoring five times in the first inning.

But the Eagles came back and tied it at 5-5 in the bottom of the second inning.

Shortstop Patrick Zöllig's throwing error led to four unearned runs off Challenger starter Benny Räber.

	Manny Marchant displayed his powerful hitting by going 3-for-5, and also collecting three RBI's.

But Räber settled down after that, allowing just two more baserunners - on yet another error by Zöllig, and a single -, but none of them scored.

He was lifted after five innings, earning his second win of the season by giving up three hits and three walks, and also striking out four.

Reliever Manny Marchant took over and allowed just one baserunner via a walk in the final two innings.

Marchant also hit three sharp singles in the offense and picked up three RBI's.

	Substitute Thor Thoresen reached twice on a walk and a hit by pitch.

The Challengers racked up 15 runs on 13 hits against Müller who went the distance. He wasn't able to keep the Challengers off balance with his knuckle balls, and thanks to the Challengers' aggressive baserunning (six stolen bases in the first four frames), the game was decided after a three-run fourth inning.

Landis hit a three-run homer and followed with another three-run dinger in the next inning to give his team a 13-5 lead after five innings.

Benitez' homer and Marchant's RBI-single accounted for the final two runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Game notes
Benitez' homer in the 7th inning was his 30th in his fourth season with the Challengers.