Eagles defeat Challengers 9-6 behind Rio Sanchez`s home run

Rio Sanchez crushed a three-run home run and winning pitcher Noelani Scazzarielllo threw seven full innings as the Luzern Eagles secured a 9-6 win over the Challengers. Tanja Neff took the loss for Zürich.

The Luzern Eagles jumped ahead early in the bottom of the first inning, using four walks, a hit by pitch, a wild pitch, and an outfield error to plate three runs without a hit. In the second inning, Melanie Keller stole home and Hannah Grace Hotz added an RBI single to extend Luzern's lead to 5-0. The Challengers fought back in the top of the third inning. Carmen Lutz-Demetz reached on an error to score Simona Cellar, Lara Müller hit an RBI single, and Müller later scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 5-3. Luzern responded in the bottom of the third. Alexandra Aregger knocked an RBI single before Rio Sanchez hit a three-run home run to right center, extending the Eagles' advantage to 9-3. Scazzarielllo kept the Challengers off the board over the next three innings before Zürich made a late push in the top of the seventh. Karen Elizabeth Hendren hit a two-run double and Marianne Martina Aellen grounded out to drive in another run, trimming the lead to 9-6. However, Scazzarielllo locked down the victory by striking out the final batter to cap her complete-game performance.