Challengers rally in final inning for 13-9 victory

The Challengers once again needed a strong finish to beat their rivals, getting it done this time against the Sissach Frogs in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader.

Although getting outhit 15-14, and going 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position in the first eight innings, they exploded for seven runs against relievers Carlos Brito and Christian Klarer for a 13-9 win.

Tobias Siegrist pitched seven solid innings, allowing three earned runs on 11 hits, Thomas Burger picked up the win by pitching the eighth inning, and Chris Palatinus closed it out with a scoreless ninth inning.

Siegrist also led all batters with a 3-for-5 performance, including two doubles and also four runs batted in. Ueli Von Burg also got three hits and scored a season-high three runs.

The Frogs scored five runs by the fourth inning, sporting a 5-1 lead. The Challengers came back in the top of the fifth, scoring three times to cut the Frogs' lead to 5-4. Two runs came on pitcher Klarer's wild throw to first base on Von Burg's bunt. Brian Hipps later plated Von Burg with a broken-bat single.

The Frogs got one run back in the seventh on Mario Cuevas' solo homer to center field off Siegrist.

But the Challengers answered with a solo shot on their own, launched by Yonimiler Martinez. Five batters later, Von Burg's run-scoring fielder's choice brought home pinch-runner Thomas Blank from third, tying the game at 6-6.

The Frogs retook the lead, feasting on reliever Burger's lack of control. Two walks, followed by four singles gave the Frogs a 9-6 lead heading into the top of the final frame.

The Challengers quickly loaded the bases and themselves profited from reliever Brito's fading command. Five of the first six batters reached safely before Brito was removed for Klarer, taking the hill for a second time.

But pinch-hitter Patrick Maier and Von Burg followed with back-to-back singles, scoring two more runs for a 10-9 lead. Siegrist capped the scoring with a bases-clearing double.

The Frogs were held scoreless in the final inning by Palatinus, giving the Challengers the first win against the Frogs in three tries this season.

Game notes
Palatinus hit his 100th career double in his 1'300th NLA at-bat to lead off the sixth inning. ...Siegrist completed the 4'500th inning pitched in franchise history, retiring Nelson Vilomar on a 1-3 ground out in the seventh inning.