Flyers sweep to extend lead in title chase

by John Baum

FLYERS SWEEP TO EXTEND LEAD IN TITLE CHASE…
Game one was a close affair, the Flyers had several chances with men on base, but hard hit balls found the Devil gloves! The game was tight until the eighth inning, 2-1 since the second, when Daniel Eichenberger left the yard to give his team a little cushion. The Flyers would add one more in the ninth, making the score 4-1 going into the bottom half of the inning. The Devils mounted a comeback, scoring one time before having the tying runs on second and third with one out! Adi Kauffman, who moved the runners to second and third via wild pitch, settled down to record the final two outs for the save. Dan Eichenberger led the way going 3-4, with his fourth homer of the season!

In game two Chris Blackbee dominated only after he worked his way out of a first inning bases loaded zero out situation, without giving up a run. The Flyers once again scored early on a single by Seppi Zwyer, scoring Reto Siegel. Reto led the charge on offense; he was 3-5, 2B, 3B, 2 runs, 4 RBI’s! However, once again the potent offense of the Flyers struggled to find a way to score off Rusty Biedermann, only two of the twelve runs coming off the veteran lefty. The game remained close ’til the sixth, when the Flyers exploded for eight runs, profiting from some sloppy Devil defense. The final score ended at 12-1. The Flyers overall record moves to 8-1…they hold a half game lead over the Bern Cardinals for first place.

FROGS AND EAGLES SPLIT, PITCHERS DOMINATE BOTH GAMES.
Danny Traina of the Sissach Frogs was the story in game one Sunday, tossing a complete game shutout, while surrendering only three hits and striking out seven. The offense of the Frogs was led by Ivano Piaia, 2-4 with a homerun and two runs scored. The Frogs had several chances but were only able to come away with five runs off Eagle starter Jerome Muller, who took the loss going seven innings allowing four earned runs.

In game two, once again pitching was the story. This time it was the pitcher of the Reussbuehl Eagles, F. Malcadona going the distance,(seven innings in game two), allowing seven hits and only two earned runs. The offense, led by Ryan Rothfords’ 4-4, 3 double performance, and Tom Hustons’ 3-5, 4 RBI day, was more than enough to account for a split. Both teams now have three wins on the season, and are looking to stay out of relegation.

BARRACUDAS RALLY LATE IN GAME 1 TO SALVAGE SPLIT WITH INDIANS!
The Barracudas couldn’t find a way to get to Indians pitcher Nik Jaquemet. For eight innings he baffled batters with speed change, and excellent location. Going into the ninth with an 8-3 lead Zurich loaded the bases. A catcher’s interference scored the first run, and a grand slam by JT Schroeder tied it up! With the score tied, Chico Colindres hit a go ahead solo shot to deep left to take the lead. This made a winner out of Jeff Mottl, who pitched three innings of scoreless relief, Jacquemet received the tough loss.

The second game was a good old-fashioned pitching duel. An RBI single by Mottl in the second was answered by a Jimenez solo shot in the third. Only in the sixth inning did the Indians come through to score two runs on a wild pitch and an error. The Barracudas wasted an opportunity in the top of the inning with runners on second and third with one out. JT Schroeder gave up four hits and two earned runs in a losing cause. A. Ramirez pitched a complete game four-hitter, striking out eleven.

The result of the split leaves the Indians a game ahead of the Challengers for the last playoff spot at 7-7. The Barracudas remain securely in third overall at 9-4.

	Time	Home	Visitor	Result
Saturday, June 21 2008
	11:00	Wil Devils	Therwil Flyers	02:04
	14:00	Wil Devils	Therwil Flyers	01:12
Sunday, June 22 2008
	11:00	Sissach Frogs	Reussbühl Eagles	05:00
	12:00	Lausanne Indians	Zürich Barracudas	08:09
	14:00	Sissach Frogs	Reussbühl Eagles	02:08
	15:00	Lausanne Indians	Zürich Barracudas	03:01