When the Zurich Barracudas and Zurich Challengers softball teams face off, two things are usually certain. It’s exciting. And it lasts long. Same this time, with the better ending for the Barracudas.
The home team organized a reassuring cushion in the third inning with seven runs for a 10-3 lead. They thrived on that for a long time, and after six innings they still had a five-run advantage with a 14-9 lead. But with these derbies only after the last out there is really certainty about the outcome. So also this Saturday. The Challengers turned things around with eight runs in the seventh inning, but quickly gave up their lead again in the bottom half of the inning. The game went into the extra innings, where the Barracudas managed to score the decisive run to make it 18-17 after three hours and 38 minutes.
Molly Mullens had three hits, two RBI and two runs, Leandra Simitovic had two hits and four RBI and Isabelle Tan added two hits, two RBI and four runs, just falling short of the win.
Game two then went straight to the Barracudas. Although the Challengers opened the score with four runs in the first frame. From then on practically only the Barracudas played, winning after four innings with Mercy Rule 16-6. Taylor McCants, Leandra Simitovic and Molly Mullens had the only three hits for the Challengers, who now have a .500 record after four game days with four wins and four losses.

The Softball-Team wins twice against the Lucerne Eagles at the Klopstockwiese. While they make the difference in the second half of the game after a tight start in game 1, they tenaciously defend an early 5-run lead in game 2 until the end.
In the opener, the Challengers set the course for victory in the third inning. An RBI-single from Mindy Siemers first leveled the 3-4 deficit before a hit-by-pitch to Taylor McCants with loaded bases gave the home team the lead for the first time. Carmen Lutz-Demetz followed with a 2-run single before an RBI groundout from Isabelle Tan, an RBI bunt single from Simona Cellar and a 2-run single from Leandra Simitovic made it 11-4. Although the Central Swiss team reduced the lead again to 8-11, the Challengers ended the game with five hits and seven runs to make it 18-8 after four innings thanks to the mercy rule.
Taylor McCants stood out from a strong collective with three hits, four RBI and three runs, while Amanda Marxer scored three runs and Carmen Lutz-Demetz and Isabelle Tan each contributed three RBIs.
In Game 2, the Challengers’ goal had to be to get into the third inning with a lead. Because after the first two innings, in which according to the regulations U22 pitchers have to pitch, the Eagles would have the strong Rio Sanchez in the pitcher’s circle. The C’s implemented the plan. They scored ten runs with ten hits, while Amanda Marxer gave up just five runs, giving her team the lead for good. The defense around pitcher Leandra Simitovic was able to hold on, while Tamara Ammeter with two RBI singles and a run scored ensured that the Challengers added a little safety margin.
Ammeter finished the game with a strong four hits, four RBI and three runs, but was even bettered by Isabelle Tan with four hits, RBI and runs each. Taylor McCants, Simona Cellar, Marina Vaccaro Brüderli and Anna Zgraggen all recorded a multi-hit game in the hard-fought 13-10 win.

The Softball-Team has a strong performance in Bern. 27 hits and 38 runs as well as two wins are the result of a productive Sunday on the Allmend.
While the Challengers benefited from the Cardinals pitcher’s walks in the first inning, they took a 10-4 lead in the second frame with six hits. After two more runs on each side, the Challengers bats caught fire in the fifth inning. They scored 11 runs from seven hits, including no fewer than three triples from Tamara Ammeter, Taylor McCants and Isabelle Tan, to finally win 23-7.
Tamara Ammeter had three hits and five runs, Carmen Lutz-Demetz and Leandra Simitovic had two hits and four RBIs each and Molly Mullens had three RBI. Tamara Ammeter took the win, as she gave up only two hits and one run in three innings, while starter Solana Lutz also gave up only two earned runs in two innings of work.
The second game of the day was one-sided from the start. The Challengers took an early 14-0 lead and deservedly won 15-3. Simona Cellar shone with four hits and five RBI, Taylor McCants screwed her batting average to .714 with another three hits and Riona Lutz convinced with 2.1 innings pitched with three runs – only one of them earned – and five hits.

At the start of the softball season was a re-match of the finals of the last two years between the Challengers and the reigning champions Wittenbach Panthers. Due to various departures, the Challengers’ burdens are spread over fewer shoulders this year. Nevertheless, they will be in the race for a spot in the finals again.
The Opening Day at the Klopstockwiese showed that there is quite a gap to the best team of the league. The home team was able to stay within striking distance for a long time in Game 1. After the Panthers led by five runs after the third, Amanda Marxer and Molly Mullens brought their colors back up to 6-9 in the fourth inning. In the end, however, the offensively very strong guests prevailed 15-6. Even if the result was a bit too clear, the offensive output with 13-5 hits and an impressive seven extra base hits by the Panthers was the difference. The Challengers couldn’t keep up here, but they also showed what they are capable of with several nice plays. Tamara Ammeter and Molly Mullens each had two hits for the Challengers, while Amanda Marxer and Mullens each scored two runs.
The second game instead was decided relatively quickly. After a costly error, the visitors pulled away to 10-3 after just two innings and brought the victory home with ease with a final result of 17-6. Isabelle Tan with two hits and Simona Cellar and Taylor McCants delivered the hits for the Challengers while Marina Vaccaro Brüderli scored two of the six runs. After the two defeats on opening day, the Challengers will be happy that the next opponents will not be of the caliber of the reigning champions Wittenbach.