The semi-finals in the Swiss Nationalliga A got underway on Saturday. The Therwil Flyers defeated the Embrach Mustangs 8-6 to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Therwil scored six runs in the first three innings en route to an early 6-0 advantage. The Mustangs rallied and made things interesting, but weren’t able to complete the comeback. Hide Oshima and Stefan Koller combined for five RBI. Josh Crouse and Christian Klarer had three hits apiece for Embrach. Lucas Croton allowed five hits, two runs and four walks in six innings to pick up the win. Roger Salvodelli conceded seven hits, six runs and four base on balls in 2 1/3 innings to take the loss.
In the second semi-final the Zurich Challengers stunned the Bern Cardinals 9-4 in game one of their series. Zurich scored four runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead. Eidrys Reyes and Robert Sedin had four hits apiece, scoring four runs and driving in three. Francisco Colindres collected three RBI. Tobias Siegrist struck out nine batters in eight innings, allowing seven hits and four runs (2 ER). Andrea Girasole closed it out. Ryan Byrne got charged with 12 hits, eight runs and three walks in 5 2/3 frames taking the loss.