Challengers 5, Frogs 8

The second game, with Sissach as the home team, started off badly for the Challengers and soon became dire. The Frogs put up 2 runs in the first and 3 in the second, as the Sissach hitters knocked Azuma around - particularly by going opposite down the right field line. The Challengers actually caught a break when, after knocking yet another ball into right field, the Sissach batter did a face-plant round first and was thrown out easily at second. Meanwhile the C's bats were utterly silent, with only three runners reaching base in the first 5 innings (1 hit, 1BB and 1 HBP).

In the bottom of the 4th, the Challengers continued their day-long trend of brain-dead defensive play. With one out and runners on second and third, Azuma struck out the clean-up batter for out number two. However, the ball got away from the catcher, Lehmann, who had to throw to first. As soon as he did, the runner at third took off for home, and when de la Rosa couldn't get the ball out of his glove, the Frogs had a 6-0 lead. To make matters worse, Lehmann threw to third to try and catch the trail runner, only Chinea wasn't expecting a throw, and the ball went into left, allowing another run to score for a 7-0 lead.

The Challengers actually caught a huge break in the bottom of the 5th, thanks to the stunning incompetence of the umpires: With two outs and runners on first and third, the Sissach batter cranked a pitch over the fence in left for what appeared to be a back-breaking three-run HR - I mean, there was no question that the ball was over the fence. No question, that is, except in the mind of the field umpire, who shockingly ruled it a ground-rule double. While one run scored, making it 8-0, it was still much better than the 10-0 lead that Sissach should've had. Two batters later, Azuma coaxed a ground ball to end the inning.

Down 8-0 in the top of the 6th, it was starting to get to now or never time for the Challengers. Coach Gregg Zingg instructed centerfielder Alex Gordon to get on base and Gordon obliged, beating out an infield single and then taking second on an overthrow. After a wild pitch moved Gordon to third, Azuma singled him home with a line drive just over the shortstop's glove and into left field. A walk, and a HBP loaded the bases and sent the Sissach starter to the showers - well over to first base, but you know what I mean, before Lehmann did what he does best - get hit by a pitch, forcing in Azuma and making it 8-2 Frogs. After Falcone struck out looking - and narrowly avoided ejection after throwing a bat-tossing tantrum at the plate - Chinea singled to second, scoring Sarmiento and making it 8-3 with still only one out. Michel Romang followed with a grounder that was misplayed by the Sissach fielder, which allowed two more runs to score, making it 8-5 with one out and runners on second and third.

And that's where the rally died: Hendrix Kaempfer, making a surprise appearance with the Challengers, hit a foul pop down the first base line, forcing the Sissach first-baseman to make the catch with his back to the field. Chinea tagged from third and tried to score, but was narrowly thrown out (Adrian claimed to have slid under the tag, and he may well have, but in NLB, if the ball beats you the umpires basically don't even pay attention to the tag. Sad but true) to end the inning.

Lehmann came on in relief to hold the Frogs scoreless in the bottom of the 6th, escaping a bases-loaded no-out jam, and the Challengers had one last chance to tie the score. Leading off for the C's, Gordon looked to get on base any way possible, even attempting to pull a Lehmann by leaning into a pitch. Amusingly, after missing the ball with my elbow, and then getting crabbed at for doing so by the catcher, the next pitch drilled me right beneath the right shoulder blade - so um, great success! When Azuma was also plunked, the Challengers looked to have life. However, at that point Sissach decided to call in a pitcher who coudl actually get people out. Adderly Sarmiento grounded back to the mound and narrowly avoided being doubled at first (another atrocious call by the umpire allowed him to be safe). Gordon moved to third, but Azuma was forced at second for the first out. Juan was up next, but was only able to ground into a fielder's choice, which forced Sarmiento at second and left the Challengers with one last chance. As was to be expected, de la Rosa took off for second and reached on Defensive Indifference, giving the C's two runners in scoring position. But it was not to be, as Lehmann struck out swinging on a nasty pitch, and the Frogs had won 8-5.

It was an abrupt and disappointing end to what had up to then been an incredible season for the Challengers. While last year's team had made it to the championship round before falling to Bern, that run followed on a 12-12 regular season, which included three losses to the Jona Bandits (yeesh). This year's team had a 15-1 regular season, and at times simply overwhelmed its opponents. Unfortunately, the C's picked a bad time to have their worst effort of the season. As a result, it will be the Frogs that are moving on to the finals while the C's are going home.

by Alex Gordon