Flyers outlast Challengers 7-3

Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader between the Challengers and the Therwil Flyers was decided in the fifth inning after a 20-minute rain delay.

Starters Thomas Landis and Reto Siegel matched up through four innings, with both pitchers allowing three runs apiece.

The Flyers jumped on Landis in the first inning, profiting from his usual slow start.

Landis walked two batters, and also allowed a single and a double to see the Flyers pull away 3-0.

He settled down after that, striking out the side in the second inning.

He went on to retire nine batters in a row from the second through the fourth inning, five of them on third strikes.

The Challengers meanwhile slowly got to Siegel and his defense.

Rookie Oliver Labhart's ground out pushed the first run across the plate in the second inning for the Challengers.

In the fourth inning, Labhart led off with a walk, and Adrian Kämpfer">Adrian Kämpfer followed with a line drive that just shot past Siegel's outstretched glove.

Center fielder Stefan Koller misplayed Kämpfer's hit, enabling Labhart to race to third base.

Koller finally managed to retrieve the ball, and threw to third baseman LaTorre.

LaTorre tried to nail Kämpfer at second base and fired a ball wide off the bag that enabled Labhart to score and Kämpfer to advance to third.

Patrick Zöllig's run-scoring ground out two batters later tied the game.

The Flyers threatened in the bottom half of the fifth inning as Siegel singled and went on to steal second.

The umpires halted play due to the heavy rain that started just minutes ago.

But after 20 minutes, play resumed and Seppi Zwyer's plate appearance resumed with a full count.

Landis' first pitch was off the plate, enabling Zwyer to reach with a base-on-balls.

Eichenberger didn't waste no time and followed with a triple to opposite field, scoring both runners.

He even went on to score as shortstop Zöllig couldn't handle left fielder Roger Brunner's relay throw.

The Flyers added one more run in the next inning for the final score of 7-3.

Landis (3-2) pitched five innings in which he allowed six runs on five hits and four walks while also striking out seven.

It was his second consecutive loss this season.

Game notes
The Challengers' team batting average dropped to .299. It is currently the fourth-worst mark since 1984. On the other hand, the team ERA of 4.37 is the best in franchise history, topping 1995's mark of 4.66.