Barracudas rally for 9-7 win

The Challengers and Barracudas got together on Saturday night for their fourth encounter this season. While the Challengers were seeking revenge for last night’s embarrassing 15-6 loss, the Cudas were looking to extend their four-game winning streak. After a back-and-forth battle, the Cudas came out as 9-7 winners, salvaging a 2-2 split of their season series.

The Cudas opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the fourth thanks to four hits and a sacrifice fly. Up until then, starter Tobias Siegrist pitched three perfect innings while Chris Michals matched him with three zeros on the board in the opening three innings.

But in the bottom of the fourth, Michals injured his elbow after the first four Challengers reached on four singles. Roger Savoldelli replaced him on the mound, but a single, a hit-by-pitch, an error and two sac flies put the Challengers ahead 6-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, Colin Bruce took over and after striking out Gabriel Holguin, Carlos Nepomuceno reached with his second career triple to right. He later scored on a balk by Bruce to give the Challengers a 7-3 lead.

The Cudas got two runs back in the top of the sixth after right fielder Patrick Maier dropped a routine fly ball with two outs to cut the deficit to 7-5.

Reliever Robert Sedin was summoned to pitch the final three innings, and he managed to shut out his opponents in the seventh and eighth inning.

But in the ninth, the Barracudas loaded the bases with one out on an error by third baseman Leonel Sosa and two hits. After striking out Kevin Fermin with what would have been the final out, Sedin uncorked a wild pitch to bring the Cudas within 7-6. After intentionally walking Bert Marsnik to load the bases, Hasson Rogers gave his colors the lead with a two-run single to right on the first pitch he saw. Another infield error gave the Cudas a 9-7 lead which they wouldn’t surrender.

Elliot Berger retired the final five batters to pick up his second win of the season.

Game notes
Saentis Zeller scored his 400th run in the NLA as he crossed the plate in the fourth inning.