The Challengers' NLA season came to a painful end with a 7-8 loss to Zürich Barracudas' second team in the decider for the fourth and final playoff spot — meaning the ten-time champions will watch the postseason from the sidelines this year.
Zürich led 4-1 early, but the Barracudas chipped away to move ahead 8-4 heading into the ninth. A late rally, sparked by RBI contributions from playing coach David Castillo, who finished the game with four RBIs, plus hits from Leonel Hernandez Reyes, Säntis Zeller and Carsten Zuber, pulled the Challengers back to 7-8, and an Oliver Bernet RBI single in the ninth brought the tying run to third base. It wasn't enough — the Barracudas closed it out for their third out of the inning to end Zürich's season.