Challengers rally for nine runs in sixth for 15-9 win

Just like in the first two games of the season against the Sissach Frogs, the Challengers trailed going into the second-to-last inning, but then broke loose for nine runs, getting a 15-9 win and securing the season sweep against the Frogs for the fourth consecutive season.

Just like in Game 1, all of the Challengers starters had at least one hit, except Bryan Shemley, in a 13-hit attack.

But their defensive showing was everything but good, committing seven blunders that led to five unearned runs.

All those unearned runs were charged to starter Tobias Siegrist who lasted only four innings, his shortest outing as a starter this season.

The Frogs jumped out off the gates in the first frame while the Challengers weren't quite ready, yet. The first two batters reached on throwing errors by shortstop Ueli Von Burg and catcher Yonimiler Martinez, and both of them went on to score later in the inning. A passed ball by Martinez extended the score to 3-0 before the Challengers were even able to swing their bats.

The Challengers came alive in the bottom of the second inning as they took the lead by scoring five times on Carlos Peña's bases-clearing double, Thomas Landis' RBI-single, and a throwing error by third baseman Christoph Fink.

But the Frogs regained the lead at 6-5 in the next inning as Markus Schaffner hit a two-run single, and Tom Fink added an RBI-single.

In the fourth inning, the Frogs seemed to cruise as two more runners crossed the plate on two more errors, both by second baseman Peña.

After the fourth inning, James Sanders took the mound to prevent further damage.

His offense trimmed the lead to 8-6 in the bottom of the fifth, but surrendered that run instantly the following inning.

With their backs against the wall, and a Playoff spot up for grabs, the Challengers fought back in the bottom of the sixth.

They sent 14 batters to the plate against Schaffner and reliever Tom Fink. Siegrist had two singles, von Burg a single and a base-on-balls, and Sanders two walks in that inning that was highlighted by Jesus Martinez' second homer of the season, a two-run shot over the left field fences.

That was more than they needed as Sanders shut out the Frogs in the top of the seventh for his third win of the season.

The Challengers now need just one more win out of the six remaining games against the Bern Cardinals, Lausanne Indians and Embrach Rainbows to return to the Playoffs after a one-year layover.

Game notes
The seven errors were the most since botching nine plays on June 26, 2005 against the Jona Bandits.