Challengers rally in fifth for season opener win

The Challengers first lost a 3-0 lead, then rallied for five runs in the top of the fifth inning to win the season opener 8-6 against the Sissach Frogs.

Starter Harry Bregy pitched into the sixth inning to pick up his first win of the season, and newly-acquired player coach Anthony Bennett closed it out for his first save of the season.

Although the Challengers were outhit 10-9 by their opponents, and also committed three errors - compared to just one by the Frogs -, they were able to plate their runners. The Frogs left 10 runners stranded while the Challengers had just five left on.

The Challengers scored first as Chris Palatinus' RBI-double scored Bregy all the way from first.

Tobias Siegrist and Vedran Blazevic hit RBI-singles to give the Challengers three runs in the top of the first inning.

The Frogs responded with two runs off Bregy on consecutive RBI-singles by Markus Schaffner and Stefan Wick.

They even tied it up in the next inning on Daniel Traina's RBI-single.

After a scoreless third, the Frogs went ahead 6-3 in the bottom of the fourth as Schaffner cleared the bases with his three-run-double.

But the Challengers came right back and profited from starter Daniel Traina's fading control.

After getting the first two batters, Palatinus reached with a single, and the next three batters were issued a base-on-balls each.

Johnny Bassett took over, but he was greeted by Blazevic with a two-run double to opposite field.

Thomas Blank followed with a two-run single that gave the Challengers an 8-6 lead.

Bregy pitched a scoreless fifth inning, and also started the next frame.

But after giving up two walks with one out, Bennett took the mound to close the game out.

First, Schaffner singled to load the bases, but Wick grounded into a 1-2 fielder's choice for the second out, and Bennett struck out Bassett to end the threat.

The Challengers were held quiet over the last two innings by Bassett, but so were the Frogs.

Bennett earned his first save by getting Alessandro Traina to look at a third strike.

Game notes
Palatinus has tied Jose Valdez for 3rd place on the alltime list for doubles with 71 by hitting one in his first at-bat in Game 1 against the Sissach Frogs on Sunday.