Croton, Flyers shut out Challengers 9-0

The Therwil Flyers scored early and went on to win Game 1 of Saturday's doubeleheader at Therwil 9-0.

Starter Andrea Girasole got roughed up from the very first pitch on as Josh Tamba led off the bottom of the first inning with a triple. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk, Javier Rodriguez followed with a two-run double, and Sven Leemann plated another run with an RBI-single.

After a passed ball and a throwing error by Tobias Siegrist, and an RBI-single by Seppi Zwyer, the Flyers led 6-0 before Girasole even managed to get an out.

Ironically, he struck out Tamba with two runners on for the second out, and got Hide Oshima on a 3-1 ground out to end the inning.

The Challengers' offense got handcuffed by Lukas Croton over the first five innings, while Hide Oshima pitched the final four innings to complete the shutout.

Patrick Maier was the only Challenger that ever reached as far as third base. He tried to score on Eidrys Reyes' single to right, but got thrown out at the plate to keep the shutout intact.

Game notes
Girasole hasn't allowed an earned run in 15 innings prior to the game. He gave up six earned in the first inning. ...Jesus Martinez has struck out 24 times against Flyers' pitching in his career with the Challengers, the most against any team.