Challengers give away Game 1, lose 11-18

The crowd saw an entertainig Game 1 with four lead changes, as the Cardinals and the Challengers combined for 27 hits, nine errors and several defensive misplays.

After the Cards scored twice in the first inning, the Challengers answered with three runs in the second on three hits by Sophie Töpel, Celine Welti and Leandra Simitovic and an error by the Cards' defense. But the Cards made it 5-3 in the bottom of the frame on a RBI-single by Aline Stämpfli and a two-run single by Lia Heimann.

The Challengers took the lead again in the third inning, as four errors from the Cards enabled the C's to score six runs to make it 9-5. After the Cards cut the deficit to one run in the fourth, they erupted for eight runs on five hits in the fifth inning to seal the deal.

Leandra Simitovic and rookie Sophie Töpel delivered two hits each and Brigit Zuber, Andrea Wirth, Simona Cellar, Sophie Töpel and Celine Welti scored two runs apiece for the Challengers, while Tiffany Toney and Lia Heimann went a perfect four-for-four for the Cardinals.

Game notes
Sophie Töpel delivered her first career hit and also scored her first career run in the top of the second inning.