by Chris Byrnes
The Zurich Barracudas faced their hometown rivals Zurich Challengers over the weekend with two night games at the ballpark in Zurich. It was the Barracudas who pulled away and winning decidedly in both games 14-2 and 13-1 to take the series.
In game one Andi Rüesch faced fellow National Team pitcher Tobi Siegrist in the Friday night battle. The game was scoreless until the Barracudas plated two runs in the top half of the 3rd inning when Harry Wischnewski singled, stole second base and scored on an error. Josh Crouse scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.
The Barracudas exploded in the 6th inning putting up 10 unanswered runs to break the game open. Barracudas rookie Philip Reger started the inning off with a base hit and followed by a lot of fire works from Chris Michals and Nderim Coma who tripled and doubled to start the damage.
Andi Rüesch went 5 strong innings to earn his second victory on the season lowering his season era to 2.53. Kevin Vonderschmitt threw two scoreless innings in relief to close out the game. Offensively, the Barracudas were led by Harry Wischnewski and Nderim Coma with two hits a piece and Josh Crouse scored three times.
Game 2 Barracudas 13 – Challengers 1
In game two the Challengers sent their veteran ace Jamie Saunders to the mound to face Chris Michals. The Barracudas opened the scoring in the first when Harry Wischnewski singled to centerfield and Josh Crouse followed with a bunt single to put runners on 1st & 2nd base. Tyler Wagner was hit with a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Saunders got Chris Michals to ground into a double play to limit the damage allowing only one run to score.
The Challengers answered back with a single by Saunders and stolen base to setup a single by Tobi Siegrist to tie the score at 1-1.
The Barracudas broke the game open in the top of the 4th inning by scoring three runs. Nderim Coma smacked a double to start it off and Jeroen Hermans single through the left side to place runners on the corners. Hermans stole 2nd base and then Hasson Rogers ripped a single to score both runners. Rogers stole 3rd base and the throw went into left field and Rogers trotted home to make the score 4-1.
The Barracudas added two more in the 6th and seven in the 7th to put the game away. Chris Michals went six strong innings allowing only four hits and picked up his third win on the season. Roger Savoldelli pitched the 7th inning to close the game out. Savoldelli continued his impressive streak of not allowing an earned run this season in the 17 innings he has pitched.
Offensively, Hasson Rogers who had three hits and three RBIs led the Barracudas. Nderim Coma added two more hits and two Rbi’s and is now batting a scorching .467 on the year. Jeroen Hermans also added two hits for the Barracudas.
The Barracudas go to 11-2 on the year while the Challengers fall to 5-5. The Barracudas travel to face the Jona Bandits next Saturday.
Things are starting to heat up in the Swiss NLA at the mid way point of the season. The newly stocked Sissach Frogs leading the tables over the Barracudas and Flyers. The Frogs will be tested in the coming weeks as they have to face the Flyers, Challengers and Barracudas with their remaining eight games and this should lead to an interesting finish.
| Swiss NLA | Wins | Loss | GB |
| Sissach Frogs | 11 | 1 | – |
| Zurich Barracudas | 11 | 2 | 0.5 |
| Therwil Flyers | 8 | 2 | 2 |
| Zurich Challengers | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Luzern Eagles | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Bern Cardinals | 4 | 8 | 7 |
| Jona Bandits | 3 | 11 | 9 |
| Wil Devils | 0 | 15 | 12.5 |