Challengers win season opener

The NLB-team opened up its season in style, sweeping the Huenenberg Unicorns by scores of 7-3 and 7-6. Dean Scherbaum provided the Challengers with a strong start in Game 1, while Jesus Martinez and Thomas Burger delivered three hits apiece.

NLB got off to a good start in Game 1, as Dean Scherbaum retired 6 of the first 7 batters he faced. In the bottom of the first, Alex Gordon led off with a single, advanced to third on consecutive ground-outs by newcomer Eidrys Reyes and old-timer Kurt Kovac, and scored on a 2-out single by Jesus Martinez.

But if the Challengers were expecting to have an easy time of it against the former First League champions, they were in for a surprise. The Unicorns took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 4th, thanks to a throwing error by Dean Scherbaum, and a dropped fly ball by Alex Gordon. NLB regained the lead in the bottom of the 5th, as the heart of the order took command: Eidrys Reyes drove in Thomas Burger with an RBI single, and Kurt Kovac followed with an RBI single of his own, before himself being driven in by Jesus Martinez.

The Unicorns got one back in the top of the 6th, but Wascar Garcia came on in relief of Dean Scherbaum and limited the damage to one run. With the score 4-3 in the bottom of the 6th, the Challengers broke out for 3 runs, with Alex Gordon atoning for his defensive miscue by driving in Thomas Burger with an RBI single. The Unicorns threatened in the top of the 7th, loading the bases with 2 outs, but failed to score.