Rookie Schniders RBI-single a winner

National team prospect and Barracuda rookie Marc Schnider had two singles, one of them a game winner in the bottom of the seventh inning in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader between the two Zurich teams.

With the game tied 4-4, no outs and two runners in scoring position, Schnider hit a little infield dribbler off veteran Thomas Landis that second baseman Patrick Zöllig couldn't handle in time, allowing Michael Settle to score from third.

The Challengers took the lead first as Landis' ground out scored Zöllig from third in the first inning.

But the Barracudas broke loose off starter Harry Bregy in the second inning, scoring four runs on three singles, two walks and an error.

All of those runs were unearned as center fielder Anubis Benitez misplayed Schnider's line drive, and let the ball bounce off his glove for a two-base error.

After a base-on-balls to Miguel Conde and a single by Strahil Georgiev loaded the bases for the Cudas, José Tiburcio's run-scoring ground out tied the game at 1.

Another base-on-balls to Ueli Von Burg again loaded the bases with two outs.

Carlos De Los Santos and Francisco Colindres followed with back-to-back RBI-singles to put the Barracudas ahead 4-1.

The Challengers got two runs back in the top of the third: Benitez drew a bases-loaded walk off starter Nderim Coma, and one out later, Adrian Kämpfer">Adrian Kämpfer was awarded first base on catcher Colindres' interference, pushing one more run across the plate.

The two teams then exchanged zeros for the next 3 1/2 innings.

With the Barracudas still leading 4-3, the Challengers were forced to score at least one run in the top of the seventh to stay alive.

They did just that on player coach Anthony Bennett's sacrifice fly to short right field.

His pop fly was just enough to bring Benitez home from third before De Los Santos' throw reached home.

Reliever Landis, who took over from Bregy in the bottom of the fifth frame, started the seventh by hitting Settle with a pitch.

Coma followed with a walk, and with the infield and outfield drawn in, Schnider did everything right to get his team the victory.

Game notes
The loss was the third in a row against the Barracudas - not counting the Swiss Cup - with the last win coming on April 17, 2005.