Mister Baseball

by John Baum

THERWIL FLYERS END CARDINALS WIN STREAK IN SPECIAL FASHION…A WALK OFF HOMERUN IN THE 11TH WINS IT! CAP OFF SWEEP WITH SECOND WALK OFF HOMER!
The Cardinals, entering the game winners of their last 20 straight league games, find themselves in unfamiliar territory…second place. The Cards, not having been swept in a doubleheader since 2005, fell victim to two walk off homers to seal dramatic wins for the now first place Flyers! Although the Cards outhit the Flyers in both games, they didn’t come up with the hits with runners in scoring position.

In game one, Stefan Koller (3-0), pitched eight strong innings for the Flyers, getting a no decision. Chris Beyeler (4-0), likewise pitched great, two innings and two earned runs in his no decision. The Cardinals took an early lead on a John Baum run scoring double in the third inning, and would find themselves ahead for most of the game. But the Flyers wouldn’t let them get away as Koller pitched his way out of several jams until Daniel Eichenberger gave his team its first lead at 5-4 with a solo homerun in the sixth.

Both teams remained off the scoreboard until the top of the ninth, as the Cards got a one-out double from Angelo Rodriguez, putting the tying run in scoring position. After Baum’s flyout to center, Johnny Perigos was intentionally walked, putting the lead run at first base. Raphael Hanzi made the strategy backfire, lacing a double to left-center that scored the tying run. Perigos was caught between third and home and was eventually tagged for the final out of the ninth. The run coming off closer Reto Seigel, who was previously perfect in save chances.

Severin Fries took over for Beyeler in the tenth inning, as the Flyers failed to score in the ninth and tenth frames. The Cards couldn’t take advantage of their chances to take the lead, and left the game for the Flyers to win. The leadoff batter for the Flyers in the eleventh inning sent the first pitch he saw far over the right field fence, giving Therwil a 6-5 victory. It was Dan Eichenberger’s second of the day, and the Cards first defeat of the season.

In game two, Severin Fries took the mound again for the Bern Cardinals. He was up against Australian Chris Blackbee for the Flyers. Fries would cruise through six innings, allowing only two hits. Blackbee would be affective, but would allow three runs, the first coming on a successful squeeze from Lexu Walchli. The Cardinals tacked on two more in the sixth inning, leaving the score going into the seventh at 3-0.

Baum would relieve Fries in the seventh to close the game. After recording the first out, he would run into trouble, a walk and two singles, a steal and the lead was only 3-1 with runners at first and second! The next hitter, playing/coach John Alexander, would get behind Baum 0-2, fortunately he had a strike left, and on the next pitch Baum made the mistake with a fastball and caught too much plate. Alexander connected well and sent the ball over the fence for the second walk off homerun of the doubleheader!

The two wins see a changing of the guard at the top of the standings for the first time in a while, as the Flyers (6-1), atop the standings, while the Cards (8-2), slide to second.

BARRACUDAS TAKE TWO ON TV! DEFEAT CHALLENGERS TO STAY IN THIRD PLACE.
With the cozy confines of the Heerenschurle gone, the Challengers (5-7) and Barracudas (8-3) played out two old fashioned pitchers duels, with the Cudas’ coming out on top 4-3, and 5-3. This puts the Barracudas solidly into the playoff hunt, while the challengers are hanging on by a thread. The C’s will need to win at least six of the next eight and get some help to keep their playoff streak alive.

Game one saw National team pitchers Thomas Burger of the Challengers, and Frank Berchtold of the Barracudas battle it out. On this day Berchtold came out on top, tossing five solid innings, and picking up the win. Breni Montag pitched the final two innings for the save. The tough luck loser was Burger, as he threw a complete game striking out 14, and giving up just three earned runs.  Marc Schnider led the way for the Barracudas, going 5-6 with two RBIs… The Challengers Santis Zeller went 2-4, with two doubles.

Game two saw Montag back on the mound for the Cudas’ versus player/coach Andy Fleischacker. The Cudas’ jumped out fast, scoring two unearned runs off Fleischacker. After the first, Andy totally shut down the Barracudas offense the next six innings. Montag however ran into trouble, giving up runs in the second and third innings. The Cudas’ went to American ace JT Schroder in the fourth, as he and Fleischacker took turns mowing down the other team’s hitters. Fleischacker came out after the sixth, surrendering no earned runs, striking out three. The ball was turned over to Swiss ace Thomas Landis. After two hit batsmen, two errors, and a hit the Cudas claimed the 5-3 win. Schroder was the winner tossing four dominant innings allowing only one hit, striking out nine. The offense for both teams struggled. Marc Schnider had two infield hits for the Barracudas, and Thomas Blank went 1-3 with a double and an RBI for the Challengers.

THE WIL DEVILS AND FROGS SPLIT THEIR SERIES…5-2, 3-10.