Mister Baseball

by John Baum

CARDINALS remain undefeated in 2008 season
The three-time defending champ BERN CARDINALS travelled to Sissach to take on the FROGS. The CARDS, trying to remain unbeaten on the year, would jump out to an early 7-0 lead in Game one on Sunday, eventually winning 11-2. Chris Beyeler remained perfect on the season, throwing his first complete game of the year, striking out eight hitters. The win keeps Chris’ personal winning streak alive at 13! The visitors knocked out 16 hits on the game, led by Samuel Paulino and Tobias Imboden with three apiece. Angelo Rodriguez, Ronnie Zimmermann, and Fabrizio Pessina, and Johnny Perigos chipping in two hits. Stefan Wick, and A. Capote had two hits for the FROGS.

Game two saw the FROGS take early control of the game, racing out to a 4-0 lead after two innings. The CARDS responded to the challenge cutting the lead in half in the top of the third inning, 4-2. The FROGS didn’t go quietly, the team from Sissach assumed control again by answering the CARDINALS threat, scoring two times in the bottom of the same frame. That would spell the end for CARDS starter Tobias Imboden, (making his first career start). Player/coach John Baum relieved Imboden with one out in the third inning. He would surrender a single to the first hitter he faced, scoring an inherited runner. The CARDINALS, feeling the pressure of their first loss, responded like champions, scoring once in the fifth, and five times in the sixth taking their first lead of the day 10-6. Two more runs in the seventh for the CARDS, would complete the scoring, the final being 12-6. The CARDINALS led again by Paulino and Perigos, (both had homeruns in the game), and two more hits for Rodriguez sparking the offense. Wick was the only FROG with more than one hit in the second game. Baum picked up his third win, striking out eight, and the CARDINALS stay perfect at 6-0. The FROGS drop to 1-3.

CHALLENGERS halt losing streak, sweep WIL DEVILS 10-8, 11-4
The ZURICH CHALLENGERS got back on track with two much-needed wins against a very tough WIL DEVILS squad. For the CHALLENGERS, Santis Zeller had a huge day, hitting five doubles and a home run! Jesus Martinez contributed two home runs and five total hits, and Bryan Shemley had five hits including a big two-run double. Thomas Burger was the game one winner moving his record to 1-3. Roger Salvodelli was the tough luck loser even though he pitched well. Thomas Landis came on and recorded his first save of the year. In game two Thomas Landis recorded his 98th career win, going six strong innings. Lefthander Rusty Tiederman, coming off a big shutout of the Flyers, was the loser. “Overall it was a good day for the CHALLENGERS with two wins but we need to still keep getting better to compete for a playoff spot.” Coach Andy Fleischacker, ZURICH CHALLENGERS. CHALLENGERS improve to 3-5, DEVILS fall to 1-3.

BARRAUCDAS take two from EAGLES, improve record to 4-2
In Game one Jeffrey Mottl took care of the EAGLES giving up only three singles in seven strong innings. After taking the lead in the first inning the ‘CUDAS never looked back and won in the end 8-3. In Game two Frank Berchtold gave up one run early but settled down in the following. Nderim Coma and JT Schroeder with a three-run and two-run homerun, respectively contributed half of the runs and the dominant performance of JT Schroeder on the mound secured a 10-1 win.

Standings 1

Standings 2