Challengers win first game of 2002

The Challengers' NLB-team got off to a good start into the 2002 season, beating the Romanshorn Submarines 9-7.

	Claudio Deck pitched six superb innings, allowing seven runs - but only one of them earned.

The Challengers took an early 6-0 lead after two innings on two-run singles by Thomas Blank and Claudio Deck, and RBI-singles by Oliver Deck and Blank.

Meanwhile, Claudio Deck allowed just one Submarine to reach base, and the Subs managed to put their only run on the board in the third inning on a sac fly by Pascal Schiavo.

The Challengers extended their lead on a fielding error by the Subs infield and a three-run homer by Blank.

The Submarines got all three runs back on an RBI-single and a walk and a hit-by-pitch with the bases-loaded by Claudio Deck to bring the Subs within 9-4.

	Rookie Roger Burger awaits a pitch.

The Challengers were shut out by Schiavo in the final three innings, and the Subs crept closer by scoring three runs in the fifth and sixth innings to close the gap at 9-7.

Tobias Siegrist pitched the final inning for the Challengers, and he allowed only a single baserunner to record his first save of his career.