Smith, Athletics too much for Challengers in 14-1 loss

The Challengers suffered their third consecutive loss in this year's Playoff round, losing 14-1 to the favourites Richterswil Athletics.

	Christian Bülte 3rd baseman Christian Bülte
	1999 SEASON STATISTICS AB R H RBI HR AVG 19 2 7 2 0 .368

Starter Patrick Zöllig, who was roughed up last weekend against the Reussbühl Eagles, gave up four earned runs in the first inning, mainly on Chad Smith's three-run shot with no outs.

The Challengers had an excellent chance to get those runs back as they loaded the bases, but starter Steiner escaped the jam by retiring Wolfgang Laabs on a ground out.

The Challengers scored their only run in the second frame, and it was an unearned run as first baseman Marty bobbled the ball with two outs to enable Christian Bülte to score from third base.

In the top of the next inning, Bülte's fielding error allowed the A's to score five unearned runs off Zöllig for a big 9-1 lead after just three innings.

The A's even batted around in the fifth inning and scored four times for the final score of 14-1.

Zöllig lasted 4 2-3 innings before being lifted for Tobias Siegrist, who pitched the final 1 1-3 scoreless innings. Zöllig gave up all 14 runs - five of them unearned - on 10 hits, 13 walks, while striking out just one single batter.