Challengers double pleasure by taking two off Flyers

The Challengers also took home game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Therwil Flyers as they managed to hang on to a four run lead.

	Manny Marchant pitched 2 2-3 strong innings for his first win of the season.

Just like in game 1, the Challengers again managed to score two runs in the first inning on Thomas Landis' run-scoring ground out and Bryan Shemley's RBI-single with two outs.

The Flyers tied it in the bottom half of the inning by scoring twice off starter Oli Christen on a run-scoring fielder's choice and a sac fly by Koller.

Flyers starter Alain Kurz wasn't able to dominate the Challengers as he used to do in the past, and allowed three more runs - all of them earned - to score in the second inning. Joe Cox had an RBI-double, Landis followed with an RBI-single and Marchant had a run-scoring ground out for a 5-2 lead.

	Anubis Benitez went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and also pitched the final two innings to secure the Challengers' win.

innings to secure the Challengers' win.
But the Flyers again tied the score on Roy Allenspach's three-run homer off Christen with two outs.

After allowing a double to Kurz and hitting Koller with a pitch, Christen was hooked by coach Armin Blickenstorfer">Armin Blickenstorfer in favor of reliever Marchant. He pitched the next 2 2-3 innings in which he allowed only an unearned run on two hits and two walks for his first victory of the season.

Marchant's offense provided him with a 9-5 lead by scoring four more runs in the third inning.

The Flyers couldn't answer this time, but Alain Kurz at least managed to keep 'em scoreless in the top of the fourth inning.

The Flyers scored their last run in the bottom of the fourth on Fernando Abril's sac fly.

	Alain Kurz had one of his worst outings against the Challengers as he allowed nine earned runs on 12 hits and six walks in just four innings.

The Challengers added one more run in the top of the fifth on Jose Valdez' league-leading 18th homer of the year.

Relievers Shemley and Anubis Benitez pitched 2 2-3 shutout innings to preserve the 2nd win for the Challengers in the doubleheader.

Game Notes: The Challengers left the bases loaded in the first and second inning and left two men on base in the third inning. ...Roger Brunner's single in the 5th inning was his 200th total base in his NLA career. ...The Challengers solidified their third place in the standings, trailing the second-placed Bern Cardinals by one game before the holiday break.