The Challengers have announced the signing of Ueli Von Burg and Tom Huston for the 2009 season. Von Burg, who started his career with the Challengers for whom he played his last game in 1995, returns to the blue and red after playing more than ten years for the cross-town rivals Zurich Barracudas. The 32-year-old infielder will play a key role in the Challengers‘ defense and offense. Huston joined the C’s in off-season after playing from 2003 till 2008 six seasons for the Reussbühl Eagles. The 41-year-old San Diego native will add a lot of experience to the lineup and is considered as one of the best left-handed hitters in Switzerland.
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Challengers drop final two games
The Challengers lost twice to the Therwil Flyers, ending their season with a negative record of 9-11. In Game 1, The Flyers scored seven times in the second inning off Thomas Landis en route to an easy 13-1 win. In the second game, the Challengers offered a better contest, but nevertheless came up on the losing end in a 7-4 defeat.
Continue Reading » Challengers drop final two gamesChallengers keep pace with Indians
The NLA-Team remains in a tie for fourth place with the Lausanne Indians after sweeping the Reussbühl Eagles on Sunday, August 10 at Reussbühl. After a 15-4 win and a fine performance from starter Thomas Burger in Game 1, the C’s posted a 12-4 victory in Game 2. The Challengers moved two games over .500 for the first time this season. They will travel to Sierre on Sunday, August 17, where they will face the Lausanne Indians in a battle for fourth place.
Continue Reading » Challengers keep pace with IndiansChallengers reach .500
The Challengers reached .500 and gave head coach Andy Fleischacker two farewell victories on Sunday, July 20 at Sissach. Thomas Burger allowed two runs in seven effective innings and Harry Bregy worked two scoreless innings for his first save of the season, as the Challengers held on for a 4-2 victory over the Sissach Frogs in Game 1. And it was all Challengers in Game 2, as James Sanders, Willy Schaub and Andy Fleischacker in his last outing for the C’s combined for a shutout, as the C’s cruised to an 8-0 win. Fleischacker signed with the Lake Erie College and will return to the U.S. next week. The C’s improved their record to 7-7 and are now in a tie for fourth place with the Lausanne Indians.
Continue Reading » Challengers reach .500C’s even record, beat Stockholm
The Challengers won for the second time at the Qualifier European Cup Tournament at Brest, Belarus improving their record to 2-2. Starter Thomas Burger went six innings, while James Sanders tossed the final three frames, as the Challengers posted a 9-5 victory over Stockholm, currently first-ranked in the Swedish Elitserien, in Game 4. The offense produced timely hits and the defense turned two crucial double-plays, one of them a 1-2-3 double-play with the bases loaded. The C’s will play their last game against BK Vilnius (2-2) from Lithuania on Friday, June 20 at 1pm. Further informations: Schedule
Continue Reading » C’s even record, beat StockholmC’s downed by KNTU Kirovograd
The Challengers lost Game 3 at the Qualifier European Cup Tournament at Brest, Belarus droping their record to 1-2. The Ukrainian champion KNTU Kirovograd held the Challengers offense to two hits, as the Ukainians rolled to a 11-1 victory over the Swiss Cup winner. Starter Jerome Müller went 4 innings for the C’s, while Tobias Siegrist pitched the final 2 frames. The Challengers will face Stockholm, currently first-ranked in the Swedish Elitserien, on Thursday, June 19 at 9.30am. Further informations: Schedule
Continue Reading » C’s downed by KNTU KirovogradChallengers defeated by Brest Zubrs
The Challengers lost Game 2 at the Qualifier European Cup Tournament at Brest, Belarus. The C’s were defeated 1-10 by the Belorussian champion Brest Zubrs, as the Belorussian pitchers held the Challengers to two hits. Starter Andy Fleischacker went 4 1/3 innings for the C’s, while James Sanders pitched the final 3 2/3 frames. The Challengers have now a 1-1 record after beating Uks Deby Osielsko from Poland on opening day and will face the Ukrainian champion KNTU Kirovograd (1-1) on Wednesday, June 18 at 9.30am. Further informations: Schedule
Continue Reading » Challengers defeated by Brest ZubrsChallengers win Opening Game at European Cup
The Challengers won their opening game at the Qualifier European Cup Tournament at Brest, Belarus. The C’s posted a 7-4 victory over Uks Deby Osielsko from Poland. And it was not the only success for Swiss Baseball, as the Bern Cardinals won their opening game against the Trnava Angels from Slovakia 6-4 at the Qualifier Tournament at Brno, Czech Republic as well. The Challengers will face the host Brest Zubrs from Belarus in Game 2 on Tuesday, June 17 at 5pm. Further informations: Schedule
Continue Reading » Challengers win Opening Game at European CupC’s at the European Cup at Belarus
The Challengers travel to Brest, Belarus where they will play at the Baseball Qualifier European Cup against Uks Deby Osielsko (POL), Brest Zubrs (BLR), KNTU Kirovograd (UKR), Stockholm (SWE) and BK Vilnius (LTU) from June 16 till 21. The first game is scheduled for Monday, June 16 at 1pm against Uks Deby Osielsko. The C’s beat the Polish team at the European Cup at Belgrad two years ago 8-7 in the opening game as well, but lost 11-15 in the game for third place. Further informations:Schedule
Continue Reading » C’s at the European Cup at BelarusC’s edged twice by Cudas
One week after a historic last clash on the old Heerenschürli field the Zürich Barracudas and the Zürich Challengers made history again. The two cross-town rivals met on Saturday, June 7 at Embrach in what was the first ever Swiss baseball game that will be broadcasted by the Swiss Sports Television, aired on Star TV on Monday, June 9 from 8pm till 9.30pm. And the viewers will see a thrilling game. Thomas Burger tossed a complete game with a season-high 14 strikeouts and allowed four runs and eight hits, but ended up with a loss, as the Barracudas built up an early 4-0 lead and held on for a 4-3 victory in Game 1. But things got even worse for the Challengers in Game 2. The C’s led 3-2 with two outs and two strikes in the last frame, but Andy Rüesch plated the tying run for the Barracudas with an RBI-single on the last strike before scoring the game-winning run a few seconds later to send the Cudas to a dramatic 5-3 win. The C’s dropped their record to 5-7 and need to win at least six of their next eight games to clinch a playoff spot.
Continue Reading » C’s edged twice by Cudas