Dramatic Wins For Flyers

On a day that began by remembering the life of Grandma Phyllis, our baseball and softball team won all four of the games against the Bern Cardinals on Sunday. 

Emily's team handled the Cards in the first game as they won 12-5. Emily went 1-2 and was able to play despite having a bruised foot and ankle. In the second game, she pitched and they won 4-3, on a game-ending walk in the 7th inning. Despite the emotional ride of both games, the Flyers ended victoriously and are now 8-0 since Emily's arrival.

Our baseball squad faced the mighty Bern Cardinals at home. Coming in with a 33-1 record and three-time defending champion title, they feature some of the most polished pitching and team defense in Switzerland. However, our team was well-prepared and also includes two of the best pitchers in Switzerland. The first game was a battle back and forth, until we took the lead in the bottom of the 7th on a Daniel Eichenberger "Eicha" homerun to put us ahead 5-4. The Cardinals then tied the game in the top of the 9th with two outs at 5-5. Battling all the way to the bottom of the 11th, Eicha proceeded to hit another homerun to lead off the inning. We celebrated by bouncing around at home plate, ending the Cardinals streak of 22 straight wins.

In game two, we faced the top pitcher in Switzerland, Severin Fries. He shut us down for 2 hits in 6 innings and they managed to get runs off our Aussie Chris Blackbee. I relieved him in the top of the 6th and shut them out in both innings. Down 3-0 and losing Eicha and our other catcher Carlos to injury, we had to dig deep. A one out single, a two-out walk and then a single by Reto Siegel to score one run, I stepped to the plate with runners on 1st and 3rd, two outs, and down 3-1. Let me say this: I'd been struggling at the plate ALL day. Getting jammed, popping up - I was frustrated more than usual, that's for sure. Facing the playing coach John Baum, I proceeded to crush a 2-2 fastball over the centerfield fence for a walk-off three run homerun!!! Let's just say we celebrated like crazy. Honestly, it was a top 3 coolest moment of my whole baseball career! We were so pumped. To beat the Cardinals twice - on walk-off homeruns - it was unreal! Quite an emotional ride! 

Anyways, just an update on the exciting happenings of Swiss baseball. Emily's team is now 9-3 and we are 6-1 and in first place. We are thrilled about what is happening in the Flyers' organization and are so thankful to be a part of such a great group of people! 

We have a week full of Valentino's tonight (a restaurant we go to EVERY Tuesday night and stay until way past closing because we know the cook!), watching the Swiss play again in the Euro Cup (Soccer) on Wednesday night, going to a discotec with the teams on Thursday, and having a raclette (a famous Swiss cheese dish) party on Friday, and then heading to Berlin on Saturday for 3 days. Not too bad huh?

My friends Zach Poth and his girlfriend Shayne came to visit us on Saturday for the night! We had a great time hanging out with them and getting to know Shayne!!!

Peace and love to you all! We love and miss you!