Bern Cardinals (18-2) vs Zurich Barracudas (11-7)
The Cardinals captured the Group 1 regular season title and were a dominating team until the latter part of the season. Reussbuhl upset the two-time defending champs twice and a depleted Therwil Flyers squad nearly pulled off two “big” upsets with a scrapbook roster. Bern woes continued in the Swiss Cup Finals two weeks ago as the Zurich Challengers dealt the Cards a 6-2 loss.
Scouting Report #1: Bern has the deepest collection of arms in the Swiss Baseball League with the return of national team ace Severin FRIES (2-0) from his U.S college stint at NAIA Bellevue. Johnny PERIGO has enjoyed an MVP-like season hitting .554 with six homers, 11 doubles, and 31 RBI’s. Christoph BEYELER is 6-0 with a 2.26 ERA in 43.2 innings and player/coach John BAUM is 5-1 with a 0.65 ERA over 43 innings. After two consecutive championships, are the Cardinals still hungry?
Scouting Report #2: The Barracudas stood toe-to-toe with the Cardinals a few months ago in the first game of their doubleheader before getting trounced the following game. That Jekyl and Hyde impersonation has been typical of the Barracudas erratic play this season. Frank BERCHTOLD has been the ace of the staff compiling a 4-2 mark with a 2.19 ERA while Farid BEKKALI (23 hits) and Chico COLINDRES (.457) pace the offensive attack. Zurich split a pair of games with Reussbuhl last week in a pair of lopsided affairs.
Prediction: Anything can happen in Swiss baseball but smart money says Coach John Baum and his crew gets back on track. The Cardinals sweep their way into the championship series.
Zurich Challengers (12-6) vs Reussbuhl Eagles (11-7)
The Challengers won the Group 2 division crown and upset Bern to claim the Swiss Cup title two weeks ago. Can a veteran-laced team enjoying a lackluster season start “clicking” at the right time and roll to the championship? The talent is there but playing at a “consistently high” level has been a challenge for Zurich all season.
Scouting Report #1: The Challengers have lost their swagger but plenty of talent remains for a title run. Slick-fielding shortstop Saentis ZELLER went 6-for-6 with five doubles in a 15-7 win over Embrach and relishes the spotlight of the playoffs. Former MVP Thomas Landis has put together another stellar season at the plate and national team catcher Tobias Siegrist has scored 22 runs. Southpaw Harry Bregy has emerged as the team ace going 5-1 with a 2.31 ERA.
Scouting Report #2: The Eagles are a dangerous team when player/coach Pete SOSKIN is on the mound. The American is 5-3 with a 1.68 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 62 innings. Tom HUSTON (.525) has 21 hits with four homers and 22 RBI’s while Rene PLUESS (.466) and Whitney PIERCE (four homers) are also capable hitters. Lost to Challengers 3-2 in 11 innings earlier this season.
Prediction: The Challengers have the talent to contend with the Cardinals but confidence seems to be lacking at crucial times. The Eagles are more than capable of advancing to the finals but the Challengers veteran leadership should prevail to take the series.