Challengers lose in final innings after blowing 14-9 lead

The Challengers couldn't get to the Uzwil Helvetics' closer in the final two innings and lost 18-15 after blowing a six-run lead.

	Claudio Deck pitched well enough to get the win, but had to settle with a no-decision.

Coach Andy Fleischacker rearranged the lineup, and it paid off as the Challengers jumped to an early 8-2 lead after just two innings.

Starter Claudio Deck allowed three hits in the first inning and retired the side in order in the second inning before the Helvetics managed to scrape together their third run in the third inning on Camiu's RBI-single.

Meanwhile, his offense took advantage of four errors to score five unearned runs in the first two innings.

Rookie Chris Hardy and Adrian Kämpfer">Adrian Kämpfer both doubled, and six other players hit singles to frustrate the Helvetics.

	Adrian Kämpfer had a career-high three hits, including two doubles.

But the Helvetics surprisingly managed to take a 9-8 lead in the fourth inning as they put together six runs on five hits off Deck who struggled to keep his pitches off the plate.

But the Challengers got all six runs back in their half of the inning as the Helvetic defense continued to put up a lackluster performance on the field by committing three errors.

But it wasn't all errors as Thomas Blank and Kämpfer hit back-to-back doubles, and Hardy, Manuel Schretzmann and Oliver Labhart closed out the inning with three consecutive singles.

Orlando Balbuena came on in the top of the fifth inning to preserve the Challengers' 14-9 lead.

	Sopa reached base and went on to score in each of his five appearances.

But after Sopa was intentionally walked to set up a force play with one out, Kleiner and Camiu followed with back-to-back doubles to bring the Helvetics back within 14-13.

The Challengers managed to get one run back on a double steal, but then got shut down by closer Kleiner in the final two innings.

Unfortunately, Balbuena couldn't keep the Helvetics in check and gave up two more doubles and two singles in the seventh inning for the final score of 18-15 in favor of the Helvetics.