Challengers get first season win4

After getting trashed by the Bern Cardinals in their season opener, the Challengers tried to get some redemption against the Reussbuhl Eagles this weekend in their home opener.

With the addition of head coach Andy Fleischacker and the return of shortstop Patrick Zöllig, the Challengers dominated the Eagles and ended the game in the eighth inning on the 10-run mercy rule 15-5.

Veteran Thomas Landis provided the spark both for the offense and the defense with seven RBI's and six innings pitched in which he gave up only one unearned run on one base hit and four walks, while also striking out six.

He went 5-for-5, including three doubles and two runs scored.

His records in a single game for doubles are four and for RBI's nine.

On the mound, he bounced back from last weekend's disastrous outing in which he lasted only three innings and gave up eight earned runs on seven hits and seven free passes.

Making his first appearance on the mound in almost eight years was Chris Palatinus. He worked the seventh inning, allowing one unearned run, one single, one base on balls and striking out one. It was his first pitching duty since July 3, 1999 against the Wil Devils.

Also making his first appearance in a long time was Roger Brunner. He pitched the eighth inning in which he gave up three runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out one.

One thing that still troubles the Challengers is their fielding as they committed six more errors, all in the infield. This clearly has to improve if the Challengers want to stay competitive for the remainder of the season.

Game notes
Bryan Shemley doubled in his first at-bat for his 100th hit in the NLA with the Challengers. ...Landis' double in the second inning marked his 1'000 career total base in the NLA. ...Brunner last pitched in an NLA game on October 16, 2004.