Challengers mess up early lead, collect 10 K's

A six-run lead in the first inning wasn't enough for the NLB-team to win against the Wil Devils in their season opener in Wil on Saturday.

	Oli Labhart gave it all, but he ended up with a no-decision.

The Challengers put together six hits - four of them for extra bases - in the first inning off starter Roger Isenring, but the Devils crept back run after run to eventually win 13-7.

Thomas Blank, Orlando Balbuena, Oliver Labhart and Willy Schaub all singled in their first at-bats of the new season for a quick 6-0 lead after the first half-inning.

But that was almost all the Challengers could produce.

On the other hand, the Devils tied the game after four innings, and even took the lead in the fifth inning off starter Labhart.

Reliever Balbuena pitched the final inning, allowing three more runs for the final score of 13-7.

Although the Challengers outhit the Devils 11-7, the defense committed six errors which neutralised the good offensive performance.

Game notes
Labhart finished the game going 4-for-4 with a career-high three doubles, and also scored two runs but collected no RBI's.