Challengers snap 6-game skid with 12-7 win against Lions

The Challengers had to survive one little threat by the Zürich Lions in the top of the fourth to get their first win in their last seven games.

They wound up as 12-7 winners in a rain-shortened affair, sweeping the season series against the Lions, and sealing their imperfect 0-28 season.

Youngster Yanik Probst hit his first career homer in the third inning over the left field fences, making him only the third Challenger to do so after Brian Hipps and Jesus Martinez did it last season.

Probst missed hitting for the cycle by a triple as he added a double and a bunt single for a game-best 3-for-4 performace, going along with a career-high three RBIs and three runs scored.

Starter Carl Conway, playing in his last game for the Challengers before departing for Canada, lasted 3 1-3 innings. He was relieved by Patrick Maier after giving up five runs in the fourth on two hit-by-pitches, three walks, a single, an error and a wild pitch.

He made up for his mediocre performance on the mound with a triple and a single, two RBIs and a game-high three runs.

Maier picked up his first win of the season by striking out all five batters he faced.

The game was delayed in the bottom of the third inning, but was later resumed as the rain held up for a moment. But shortly after the game became official in the middle of the fifth inning, head umpire Frank Berchtold didn't hesitate to call the game.

Game notes
Tobias Siegrist had his third two-hit game in a row, raising his batting average from .200 to .247. His walk in the second inning was also his 200th of his career, third behind Chris Palatinus and Thomas Landis. ...Thomas Blank hasn't scored in 15 consecutive games.