Therwil Flyers – Zurich Challengers 3-4, 4-3
Recap by JB Tucker, Therwil Flyers
Game one of the Sunday double header between the Therwil Flyers and the Zurich Challengers was a hard fought battle all the way to the end. The starting pitchers for both sides did a tremendous job of keeping the opposing hitters in check. The Challengers were the first team to score in this affair, in the third inning. They took advantage of a two out walk, and then had consecutive singles to take a 1-0 lead. The Flyers answered in the bottom half of the inning, by scoring one of their own. This run came after a two out double by Reto Siegel, followed by a RBI single by Hide Oshima.
Both teams were unable to push any more runs across until the sixth inning, when the Challengers scored two runs courtesy of three hits and an untimely Flyers’ error. Just like earlier in the game, the Flyers answered in the bottom half of the sixth. To lead the inning off, Reto Siegel reached on an error, and then came home to score on a two run home run by catcher JB Tucker. With the game tied through regulation, the Challengers took advantage of a tenth inning walk by reliever Stefan Koller, and were able to score one run on a sac fly by Thomas Blank. In the bottom half of the tenth, the Flyers were able to get two men on, but were unable to score. Hitting standout for the Flyers was Hide Oshima who was 3-5 with a RBI. Final score was 4-3 in favor of the Challengers.
The second game on the hot Sunday afternoon was also a long hard fought battle. The Flyers had a great start, loading the bases in the first inning without recording an out, but unfortunately were only able to scratch one run across. The Flyers extended their lead in the third inning after Chris Blackbee led off with a double and came around to score on a two out error by the Challengers second baseman. With a two run lead, starting pitcher Stefan Koller kept the Challengers at bay, until the fourth inning when they finally scored, after a two out double by Jesus Martinez followed by a RBI single by Thomas Blank.
The Flyers then surrendered their lead in the fifth inning when the leadoff hitter for the Challengers hit a two run home run to take the lead. The Challengers kept their one run lead until the seventh inning, when the Flyers got the first two men on base, then scored one, on an errant throw by the Challengers short stop. With men on second and third with no outs, the Flyers were unable to score another run and take the lead. Once again, for the third straight game, the Flyers went into extra innings. The Challengers were only able to scrape out one hit in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings combined and never threatened to score. The Flyers took advantage of the Challengers declining offense by loading the bases in the eighth inning. With runners on second and third, two outs, and two strikes, veteran outfielder Reto Siegel lined a single up the middle for a dramatic walk off victory. Hitting standouts for the game were Reto Siegel who was 2-5 with a walk off single, and Hide Oshima who was 1-2 but reached base 3 times. Final score was 4-3 in favor of the Flyers.
Box scores at www.spielplan.ch
{mrb-result:2011-06-25|2011-06-26|CH}
{mrb-standing:switzerland-2011}