Die U12-Spieler der Challengers Maxime Bruchez, Marc Girola, Magnus Staub und Agon Zumeri nehmen am Samstag, 2. Februar am Hallenturnier in Embrach teil. Sie werden zusammen mit den Spielern der Embrach Rainbows und der Zürich Lions ein Team bilden.

The Cadets won the Swiss Championship on Sunday! The Challengers posted a 13-6 victory over the Lions/Bandits/Rainbows in Game 2 of their best-of-three final series to win the series 2-0. It’s the first national title for the C’s juniors since 1997.

The Cadets took Game 1 of their best-of-three championship series against the Lions/Bandits/Rainbows, posting a 12-1 victory on Saturday at the Heerenschürli in front of a big crowd. Ryan Engesser, Gabriel Staub and Simon Simard combined for a two-hitter with 12 strikeouts, while Alban Zumeri and Alex Merlini led the offense with three hits apiece and Peter Friedli and Drew Varges reached base three times each. Game 2 and if necessary 3 will take place on Sunday, September 23 at Rapperswil-Jona.

The Cadets won Game 2 of their best-of-three semi-final series against the Berner Bears with 3-2 to move into the Finals. The game saw two very strong teams, that didn’t commit a single error throughout the day. Challengers Pitchers Ryan Engesser, Gabriel Staub and Simon Simard, who was credited with the win, combined for two runs on two hits, while Engesser went 2-for-3 with a double and Sven Krattenmacher reached base three times. Alex Merlini and Engesser highlighted a perfect defensive performance with two amazing diving catches. The cooperation of the Oberland Challengers and the Zurich Challengers pays off already in the first season of the joint venture, reaching the Finals against the Lions/Bandits/Rainbows. Game 1 of the Championship Series will be played on Saturday, September 15.

The Cadets took the opener of their best-of-three semi-final series against the Berner Bears, winning Game 1 15-9 on Sunday at the Heerenschürli. Game 2 and if needed 3 will be played on September 9 at Thun Obermatt.

Die Schweizer U15 Nationalmannschaft beendet die B-Europameisterschaften im italienischen Reggio Calabria im sechsten und letzten Rang. Auch im letzten Gruppenspiel gegen San Marino setzte es mit 1-11 eine Niederlage ab. (Boxscore). Stand es im fünften Inning noch 1-3, mussten die Eidgenossen am Ende den Strapazen des Turniers Tribut zollen. Acht Errors und einige Wild Pitches kosteten noch acht Runs. Challengers Shortstop Ryan Engesser erzielte seinen dritten Hit des Turniers und verbuchte eine Stolen Base, während Gabriel Staub einen Walk herausholte und eine erneut starke Defensivleistung zeigte. Weitere Infos: Swiss Nationalteam Roster 
, Schedule 
, Official Tournaments Homepage 

The Cadets extended their winning streak to six, after winning two more on Sunday at Rümlang. In Game 1 they posted a 6-3 victory over the first placed Lions/Bandits/Rainbows, as Alex Merlini went 2 for 3 with two runs and Agon Zumeri reached base three times scoring two runs as well, while Gabriel Staub was credited with the win pitching three innings with five strikeouts and Ryan Engesser tossed two shutout innings with six strikeouts for the save. In Game 2 the C’s held on for a 9-5 win over the Rümlang Kobras. Staub went 3 for 3 and drove in three runs and Zumeri reached base three times again. The C’s have now a 7-2 record.

The Cadets won twice on Sunday at Wil. They won Game 1 against the Devils/Vikings 6-5, as Florian Würtenberger batted in the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning and Alex Merlini had two hits and scored two runs, while starter Simon Simard pitched two scoreless innings, striking out five. In Game 2 the C’s turned a tight game into a splendid victory, as they erupted for 16 runs in the last two frames to beat the Rümlang Kobras 21-5. Ryan Engesser went 3-for-4 with 5 RBI’s and Peter Friedli and Dario Petruccelli had four walks and scored three runs apiece. The C’s have now a 5-2 record.