Barracudas down Challengers 6-3

The Challengers suffered a blow in their quest to wrap up a Playoff berth by losing the first contest of Saturday's doubleheader against the Zurich Barracudas 6-3.

Andi Rüesch pitched seven plus effective innings, giving up three runs - two of them earned - on seven hits and one walk, while also striking out eight en route to his third win of the season.

He outdueled Tobias Siegrist, who struggled early on, but settled down nicely in a complete-game effort. He allowed all six Barracuda runs in the first four innings, and then went on to shut down the opposition over the last five innings.

In the end, four of his six runs he gave up were earned, and he was charged with his second loss of the season.

Five of the six runs he gave up came with two outs, but only four of the last 18 batters he faced reached safely, two via fielding errors in the infield.

The Challengers wasted several chances with runners in scoring position, most notably in the eighth inning as they loaded the bases with one out against reliever Benny Montag.

But Fabio Aimi struck out looking and Yonimiler Martinez went down swinging on three pitches to end the threat.

A 1-2-3 ninth inning sealed the victory for the Barracudas.

Game notes
Siegrist's complete game was his first since going the distance against the Barracudas on May 14.