Flyers reverse fortunes in 4-3 extra-inning win

The Therwil Flyers, who had a 15-1 record before today's doubleheader, were faced with the possibility of dropping three games in a row.

But a late comeback thanks to a defensive miscue prevented that, giving them a split on Sunday's doubleheader with a 4-3 win in eight innings.

Starter Chris Palatinus went 7 2-3 innings, keeping pace with the Flyers' Stefan Koller who lasted just five innings.

JB Tucker was credited with the win as he pitched three shutout innings in relief, giving up only a single hit.

Palatinus struggled early on as he gave up three walks, three hit-by-pitches and a single in the first two innings. The Flyers failed to capitalize as they scored just once, leaving the bases loaded both times.

After that, Palatinus retired eight batters in order before hitting Emanuel Raouzeous with a pitch in the sixth inning.

In the meantime, the Challengers took the lead as Jesus Martinez scored on right fielder Chris Blackbee's fielding error in the fourth inning, and Saentis Zeller hit his first homer of the season in the fifth inning, a two-run shot to dead center that gave his team a 3-2 lead.

Going into seventh inning, still leading 3-2, both Tucker and Reto Siegel reached on consecutive singles. Up came Blackbee with a grounder to shortstop Yanik Probst, who took the ball and fired to third base. The throw was high and sailed into the stands, enabling Tucker to score the tying run and advancing Siegel to third with no outs.

Takanobu Oshima then lined out to center, giving no chance for Siegel to score. Michel LaTorre followed with a grounder to shortstop Probst who alertly fired home to successfully nail Siegel for the second out.

Raouzeous popped out to center to send the game into extra innings.

Seppi Zwyer led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch by Palatinus, Hideori Oshima bunted him over and Koller's 4-3 ground out moved him to third with two outs.

Tucker was walked intentionally for the fourth time in the doubleheader to take the bat out of his hand.

Lefty Patrick Maier was called upon to face Siegel, but he failed to retire him after throwing two strikes. Siegel lined a sharp single up the middle for the win.

Game notes
Zeller's last home run came on May 3, 2008 against the Wil Devils. ...Probst extended his hitting streak to six games with a double off the center field fence in the fifth inning. ...Thomas Blank extended his run-less streak to a career-high nine games.