by John Baum
Embrach Rainbows sweep away Sissach Frogs to end 2009 season
In game one Roger Savoldelli was facing off against Frogs Pitcher Peter Rüfenacht. Both pitchers had their trouble in the first inning, as both teams were able to score four runs each early in the game. The Rainbows took the lead in the second inning by scoring two more runs, and Rüfenacht left the mound and was replaced by Christian Klarer. He would settle in nicely retiring three Rainbows in a row. The Sissach Frogs responded in the third inning and were able to tie the game thanks to two singles by Klarer and Rüfenacht and two errors committed by the Rainbows` defense. In the fifth inning the Frogs then took the lead for the first time of the game when Santo Pena drove in Rüfenacht, who lead off the inning with a 2B. But the lead didn`t last very long, Oliver Walser singled, stole two bases and scored on a wild-pitch by Klarer in the top of the sixth inning. Both teams added another run each in the seventh to move the score to 8-8 before the Rainbows offense broke loose in the last two innings. Six hits and two errors by the Frogs defense but the game out of reach for Sissach who were not able to follow, as the game ended with a 17-10 win for Savoldelli and the Rainbows.
Game two was a one-man show from Josh Crouse. He cruised to a complete game five hitter, two run, nine-strikeout performance to secure the Rainbows a season-ending sweep against the Frogs. The Rainbows offense started where they left off in game1. Chris Hutchinson doubled, and shortly after Crouse sent a fastball from Frogs starter Markus Schaffner over the left field fence. The Rainbows continued their effort in the second inning scoring four more runs on two 1B, two BB and a catcher`s interference. The Frogs erased Crouse`s bid for a shut-out in the third when Stefan Wick hit a two-out double to left center that scored Adam Patterson. Embrach added three more runs in the fourth inning that put the game out of reach for the Frogs, which were only able to add one more run off Josh Crouse in the sixth inning. Chris Hutchinson drove in another two runs in the seventh with a double, securing a final score of 11-2 for the Embrach Rainbows.
Indians secure home field with two wins vs. Challengers
The Challengers lost both games of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Lausanne Indians, concluding their regular season in fourth place with a 15-13 record. In Game 1, the Challengers were overmatched 15-5 in seven innings, and in Game 2, they were outscored 13-2. The Playoffs will start on August 29, with Game 1 of the Semifinals against the Therwil Flyers.
{mrb-result:2009-08-22|2009-08-23|CH}
{mrb-standing:switzerland-2009}