On Saturday the U12-Juveniles hosted the Lucerne Eagles at the Klopstockwiese in Zurich-Enge for a top-of-the-table clash in the Eastern Group. The two rivals were in first and second place with only one loss each.
The Challengers now have a 3.5 games lead. They defeated the Central Swiss team 5-0 and 5-3 in two hard-fought games. In Game 1, starting pitcher Len Blickenstorfer, who was awarded with the win, and Henry Ruffieux pitched a shutout win. In the second game of the day Florian Gränz and Roy Gonzalez kept the Eagles batters in check.
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Juveniles top fight goes to the Challengers
Home Opener on Sunday
For the first time this season the NLA-Team will be playing at their home field Heerenschürli on Sunday. After the completion of the impressive new back stop, play resumed at the end of May. For their home debut, the Challengers will host the Zurich Barracudas’ second team. Games will be held at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
The NLB-Team will also be in action on Sunday. The Challengers will face the Unicorns in Hünenberg, Canton Zug. The two neighboring teams in the standings will play at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The Unicorns have won six of their eight games so far, while the Challengers have a 4-2 record.
The U12-Juveniles will be playing on Saturday. The Challengers will host the Lucerne Eagles in the top match of the Eastern Group. Both teams have only one loss to their name. Games start at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Challengers in Action
Next Saturday three teams from the Challengers organization will be in action. A Cadets doubleheader follows on Sunday.
The first Zurich derby of the season will take place on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Klopstockwiese, when the Challengers Softball-Team will face the defending champions, the Zurich Barracudas. After the losses in Wittenbach, it will be interesting to see how the Challengers fare against the reigning champions.
The NLB-Team will play its home game on Saturday in Embrach. It’s one last time this season that they’ll be “off the grid”; the home field Heerenschürli should be ready to play again in June after the new back stop is completed. The C’s will face the Embrach Mustangs, who are looking for their first win of the season. Games begin at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at Embrach PZ Hard.
The U12-Juveniles will also be in action on Saturday. The youngest Challengers travel to Wil, where they will meet the Wil Devils and the Therwil Flyers. Games will be played at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Lindenhof.
The U15-Cadets round out the busy schedule on Sunday in Embrach with a doubleheader against the Wil Pirates. Games will be start at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Juveniles remain unbeaten
The U12-Juveniles continued their perfect start to the season and remain undefeated after their fourth gameday. They secured two unchallenged victories against the Rümlang Kobras on Sunday. In Game 1, pitchers Florian Gränz and Knox Nelson led the Zurich-based team to a 17-7 victory. The result of the second game was even more decisive. This time, the Challengers prevailed 17-1. The pitching, including starter Henry Ruffieux and relievers Len Blickenstorfer and Roy Gonzalez, played particularly well.
Continue Reading » Juveniles remain unbeatenChallengers in Eastern Switzerland
The Challengers are heading east next weekend. The NLA-Team will play in Wil on Saturday, and the women’s softball team will play in Wittenbach on Sunday.
The NLA-Team will be making only its second appearance of the season on Saturday. The Challengers will also have to move their second home game due to construction works at their home ballpark, Heerenschürli. The home games against the Wil Pirates will therefore be played at the Lindenhof in Wil. The games start at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
The Softball-Team will also travel to the canton of St. Gallen on Sunday. The Challengers will face the Panthers in Wittenbach, which has also been the championship final three times in the last four years. First pitch will be at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Wittenbach Sonnenrain.
The U15-Cadets will host the Therwil Flyers and the Geneva Dragons in Hünenberg on Saturday. This means that the Challengers, who are placed in the East Group, will face the two strongest teams from the West Group. The games will take place at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. in Hünenberg Rony.
The U12-Juveniles team will also be in action on Sunday. The Challengers will face the Rümlang Kobras in a derby in Rümlang. The games will take place at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Rümlang Rümelbach.
Juveniles remain unbeaten
The U12-Juveniles remain undefeated after their third gameday. The Challengers defeated the Wil Devils 16-10 in the first game and 7-6 in the second, a very close game.
For the Challengers, pitchers Florian Gränz and Joaquin Nicod shone in the first game, as did Roy Gonzalez, who was credited with the win, and Henry Ruffieux, who recorded the last out for the save in Game 2.
Softball Homegame on Mother’s Day
As always, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May in Switzerland. And the Challengers Softball women’s team hosts a home game against the Bern Cardinals. After a successful start to the season against the SG Frogs/Flyers, the C’s will look to carry the momentum into their duel with the team from the Swiss capital. Games will kick off at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Klopstockwiese in Zurich-Enge.
The U15 Cadets will be in action on Saturday, aiming for their first win of the season in Wil, St. Gallen. Their opponents will once again be the Rümlang Kobras and the SG Pirates. The games begin at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Wil Lindenhof.
The U12 Juveniles will also travel to Wil on Sunday. The Challengers, undefeated this season, will face the Wil Devils. The games will be played at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Lindenhof in Wil.
Juveniles narrowly defeat Kobras
Due to the poor weather forecast for Sunday, the Kobras and Challengers officials agreed to move the doubleheader to Saturday. This seemed to be the right strategy. Although it wasn’t completely dry on Saturday, both games could still be played.
While the Challengers clearly defeated the Kobras on Opening Day, the two games on Saturday were close affairs. But once again the Challengers prevailed. They beat the Kobras 8-6 and 7-5 in two close games and remain undefeated at the top of the standings.
Juveniles games moved to Saturday at Rümlang
Due to the poor weather forecast for Sunday, the U12-Juveniles games between the Rümlang Kobras and the Challengers have been moved to Saturday, May 3. The games will be played in Rümlang instead.
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The U12-Juveniles will play for the first time this season on Sunday, May 4, at their home field, Klopstockwiese, in Zurich-Enge. They will host their cantonal rivals, the Rümlang Kobras. The Challengers defeated the Zurich Unterländers 14-3 on the first gameday of the season at the beginning of April. The Kobras will be pushing hard to achieve a better result. The games begin at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Two wins on Opening Day for the juveniles
The U12 Juveniles secured the first wins for the Challengers organization of the 2025 season. The youngest Challengers team won both of its games on Opening Day in Bulle.
The Zurich team’s first opponent was the Geneva Dragons, who have celebrated several junior titles in recent years. It was therefore exciting to see how the blue and reds would fare. The French-Swiss team won the first inning 3-2. But then the Challengers turned things around. In the second inning they scored five runs to make it 7-3 and ultimately won decisively 13-5. Starting pitcher Len Blickenstorfer earned the first win of the season.
In the second game of the day, the Challengers faced their cantonal rivals, the Rümlang Kobras. The blue and reds carried the momentum from their opening game and were already ahead 5-1 after the first inning. They extended their lead to 10-3 by the third inning, ultimately winning 14-3. This time, starter Roy Gonzalez was credited with the win.