The NLB-Team lost twice to their cross-town rivals Zurich Barracudas on Sunday, June 6 at the Heerenschürli ballpark. The Challengers rallied for seven runs, but the Barracudas built a nine run lead again to eventually win 18-13 after 3 hours and 20 minutes in Game 1. Adrian Kämpfer led the Challengers’ offense with two hits, while Roger Burger and Daiki Sato scored three runs apiece.

Ralph Vonderschmitt outdueled the Challengers’ pitching staff, but the Barracudas needed Marcel Spring’s RBI-triple in the top of the seventh inning to knock off the Challengers in Game 2. The Barracudas opened the score in the third inning, while Lukas Krautter tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning at 1-1. Challengers starter Jarrod Baker allowed one run and two hits with two walks and four strikeouts in three innings on his birthday, before handing over the ball to his bullpen. While Vonderschmitt kept the Challengers’ bats under control, the Barracudas scored the game-winning run on the only hit they had over the last three innings. Korey Kovac was given the loss after allowing two unearned runs and one hit with one walk and one strikeout in 2.1 innings of relief.

The Challengers are now in seventh place with a 1-7 record. They will face the Thun Hunters on Sunday, June 13 at Thun.