by JB Tucker, Therwil Flyers
With the Therwil Flyers leading the best of five series, two games to zero, the Zurich Barracudas were faced with a very difficult challenge. Not only were the Barracudas in a must win game, but they had Flyers starting pitcher, and team ERA leader, Lukas Croton standing in their way. Unfortunately for the Barracudas, Croton did what he has been doing all season, and that is shutting down opposing hitters. Croton pitched a flawless five innings, giving up zero runs on zero hits. This was enough for the Flyers offense to jump out to an early 4-0 lead. In the second inning the Flyers were able to score after Sebastian Zwyer doubled and came home to score on a Hide Oshima single. After singling, Oshima was able to come around and score on a Reto Siegel double. Then in the fifth inning, after a Taka Oshima walk and a Ianis Bouteloup double, the Flyers scored two more with a 2 run single from Adrian Kaufmann. Leading four to zero, the Flyers mad a pitching change, and the Barracudas were able to put up 3 runs in the sixth inning to cut down their deficit to one run. The Flyers answered by scoring two more in the bottom half of the sixth inning. In the seventh and eighth innings, Hide Oshima settled in and did not give up any more runs. Closing the game out for the Flyers was Adrian Kaufmann with a perfect ninth inning. Hitting standouts for the game were Reto Siegel who was 3-4, Taka Oshima who was 2-3 and Ianis Bouteloup who finished 2-5. Final score was 8-3 in favor of the Flyers. With this win, the Flyers eliminated the Barracudas and move on to the finals. The Flyers have a rematch with last years Swiss Champions, Bern Cardinals.