Devils upset Challengers 4-3

The Challengers lost game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader to the Wil Devils 4-3 due to too many mistakes on the basepaths.

	Nick Lehmann went 2-for-3 at the plate, but also made a key running mistake.

No team managed to score in the first two innings as Challenger starter Roger Brunner matched Husmaker's performance by facing only six batters in those innings.

The Challengers put the first runs on the board in the top of the third inning with two RBI-singles by Anubis Benitez and Nick Lehmann.

But the Devils went ahead in the bottom half of the inning on Husmaker's two-run double and catcher Fillinger's run-scoring groundout.

	Devil reliever Rüegg gave up just one run in the final four innings and was credited with the win.

After a scoreless fourth, the Challengers managed to tie it up at 3-3 on an attempted double steal of home and second base by Chris Palatinus and Benitez. Palatinus scored, but Benitez was easily thrown out at second.

The Challengers then missed several chances to score some more runs as Lehmann was thrown out at the plate trying to steal home with two outs and with two strikes on the batter.

Later on, Bryan Shemley also was caught stealing home in the next inning with no outs.

In the bottom of the sixth, with the score still tied at 3, Husmaker led off the inning with a grounder to second baseman Palatinus. Palatinus couldn't come up with the ball, and enabled Husmaker to advance to second base on his ensuing bad throw to first base.

	Chris Palatinus 2nd baseman Chris Palatinus
	1999 SEASON STATISTICS AB R H RBI HR AVG 35 18 14 11 3 .400 IP W L SV SO ERA 2 0 0 0 24 0.00

Husmaker advanced on a flyout to third base and eventually scored on a perfect sac bunt by shortstop Isenring.

The Challengers had another shot to send the game into overtime in the top of the seventh. Palatinus led off with a double, but Benitez grounded out to shortstop, and Lehmann grounded out to third. Palatinus tried to take third on the throw to first base, but was tagged out by a fine throw by first baseman Ruckstuhl to end the game.

Game Notes: Thomas Landis needs just one more double to tie his career high of 12 doubles in a season, set back in 1994.