Flyers score nine runs in final two innings to beat Challengers 13-12

The Challengers and their arch-rivals Therwil Flyers played another memorable game with ups and downs on both sides.

	Harry Bregy relieved and was roughed up for five runs.

In the end, the Flyers prevailed with a 13-12 win in the final inning after rallying from an 11-4 deficit.

They scored nine runs in the final two innings off starter Benny Räber and relievers Harry Bregy and Henry Marchant.

Henry Marchant blew a 12-11 lead when he hit Anthony Bennett to load the bases, bringing up Roy Allenspach. He followed with a game-winning two-run single up the middle just out of reach of shortstop Patrick Zöllig's glove.

Starter Räber ended up with his third no-decision in four starts this year although pitching 5 1-3 innings in which he gave up only seven runs - two of them unearned - on five hits and seven walks while striking out one batter.

His performance was good because the Challengers' offense figured out Stefan Koller who was finished after five frames.

He gave up seven runs on nine hits and one base-on-balls and also striking out three.

A big five-run third inning did the most damage.

With two outs, the Challengers put together five consecutive hits as Bregy singled, Thomas Landis hit a double, and Jose Valdez' single and shortstop Reto Siegel's ensuing error plated both runners.

	Shortstop Patrick Zöllig invain leaps for a line drive by Anthony Bennett.

Räber added an RBI-double to help his own cause, and Tobias Siegrist followed with already his second triple of the season, tying the franchise record shared by Bregy and Gary Kochlefl.

They extended their lead by scoring two more in the top of the fifth on errors by right fielder Daniel Eichenberger and third baseman Djibril Traore.

Räber started to tire in the bottom half of the inning as he walked Bennett with the bases loaded, and then let another runner score on Allenspach's sac fly to center field.

But he escaped the jam by getting Seppi Zwyer to fly out to right, protecting a slim 7-4 lead.

The Challengers then faced newly acquired Brett Cuminsky, but his wildness, coupled with rookie catcher Dave Eichenberger's insecure play behind the plate allowed the first four batters to reach base safely.

All four batters eventually scored for an 11-4 lead.

But the Flyers managed to close the gap as Räber left the mound with the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning.

Bregy relieved and managed to retire Daniel Eichenberger on a sac fly, but Cuminsky, Bennett, Allenspach and Seppi Zwyer followed with three singles and a double to get within 11-9.

	Roy Allenspach went 3-for-4 and collected a game-high five RBI's.

The Challengers managed to add an insurance run because of catcher Allenspach's problems to block the ball for a 12-9 lead.

Bregy managed to retire the first batter in the final inning as he caught Traore's line drive back to the mound, but then had to watch as center fielder Henry Marchant dropped Siegel's fly ball.

Koller and Eichenberger followed with back-to-back doubles, sending Bregy to the showers.

Henry Marchant took over and promptly walked Cuminsky.

Then he hit Bennett with a pitch, allowing Allenspach's game winner up the middle.

Game notes
Bregy scored his 100th run in the NLA as he crossed the plate in the sixth inning. ...Manny Marchant was ejected in the second inning after getting into a conversation with first baseman Allenspach. Marchant argued that Allenspach intentionally slapped him in the face on a pick off play at first base, and base umpire Markus Schaffner didn't hesitate to give Marchant the hook after he gestured to Allenspach.