Challengers throw away Game 1, lose 8-2

Lukas Croton and the Therwil Flyers dominated the Challengers in Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader at the Heerenschürli, winning 8-2 for their second win in a row against their long-time rivals.

Emanuel Raouzeos led all batters with four hits and two RBIs, and Croton pitched seven innings in which he gave up only one run on nine hits and two walks while also striking out two.

The Challengers’ struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position continued as they went a combined 3-for-16 in those situations. They had five runners in scoring position with less than 2 outs in the first five innings, but only one of them came around to score.

The Challengers held a 1-0 lead after four innings thanks to Jesus Martinez’ RBI-double with two outs in the third inning. But in the top of the fifth, the Flyers scored four unanswered runs off starter Tobias Siegrist on two hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch.

The Flyers tacked on four more in the ninth inning on five hits against reliever Ryan Byrne, blowing the game wide open with an 8-1 lead.

The Challengers could only add one more run on pinch-hitter Thomas Burger’s opposite-field single with the bases loaded.

Siegrist was charged with his first loss of the season, tossing five innings in which he allowed four runs - one of them unearned - on four hits, four walks and three hit-b-pitches, while also striking out two.

Game notes
Martinez’ double was his 40th with the Challengers.