Challengers get revenge in 8-4 win over Eagles

The second contest of Sunday’s doubleheader between the Challengers and the Reussbuhl Eagles started and ended for the Challengers in a much more friendlier manner than the first one.

Although just getting four hits, they profited from control problems by the Eagles‘ pitching staff.

Starter Stefan Haltmeier gave up five walks and a hit-by-pitch in just three innings, Rudi Vargas followed with a short stint over seven batters, to which he conceded three hits and two walks, and Ryan Rothford allowed two more walks for a total of nine free passes.

The Eagles outhit the Challengers 5-4, with four of those Eagle hits happening in the final inning off reliever Willy Schaub.

A base-on-balls and a hit-by-pitch, both with the bases loaded, pushed the first Challenger runs across the plate in the second inning.

The Eagles got a run back on Rothford’s RBI-single the next inning, but starter Thomas Landis retired the next two batters to end the threat.

His offense gave him a big boost as they scored six times in the fourth inning off reliever Vargas.

Chris Palatinus hit a two-run double, and newly-acquired Carlos Peña followed with another two-bagger for two more runs. Another walk with the bases loaded and a passed ball by catcher Marco Limacher extended the Challengers‘ lead to 8-1.

Harry Bregy relieved Landis in the top oft he fifth, tossing two scoreless innings.

Coach Andy Fleischacker summoned Schaub from the bullpen to pitch the final inning, but it wasn’t as easy as planned. With one out and two men on base, the Eagles dropped four consecutive singles to cut the Challengers‘ lead to 8-4.

But with two outs, Oliver Holenstein hit a grounder back to the mound that resulted in the final out, giving both teams a .500 record to start the season.

Game notes
Bregy pitched two innings in relief for his 25th career win in the NLA.