Challengers throw away 2nd game, 12-3

Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader between the Therwil Flyers and the Zurich Challengers was a one-sided affair as the locals from Therwil handed their rivals a bitter 12-3 defeat.

While starter James Sanders and his defense managed to keep the game close at 4-3 through four innings, the Flyers exploded for seven runs in the top of the fifth to put the game out of reach.

The Flyers sent 11 batters to the plate in that inning, hitting three doubles - two by Daniel Eichenberger -, two singles, and also profiting from two errors on ground balls.

Sanders ended up with his first loss of the season after pitching seven fine innings just a week ago against the very same team, and Ueli von Burg and Yonimiler Martinez pitched the final 2 1-3 innings in relief.

The Challengers only managed to score in the first inning on Chris Palatinus' bases-loaded walk and Sanders' two-run double, but after that, they wasted all their remaining chances.

In the end, the Challengers left 10 runners on base, seven of them in scoring position.

Sanders was the only Challenger with more than one hit, going a perfect 3-for-3.

On the other hand, the Flyers had five players with two or more hits, with Eichenberger leading his team with a 3-for-4 performance, including a solo homer in the first inning, two doubles, three runs scored and three RBI's.

DH Seppy Zwyer also added a triple and collected three RBI's.

Lucas Croton picked up the win by tossing two shutout innings in relief.