Rouen 2 Huskies vs Meyzieu-Décines Cards
4 – 1 Rouen then 9 – 2 Meyzieu
The duel between the Rouen Huskies’ reserve team and the Lyon finalists lived up to all expectations, offering two radically different faces of high-level baseball.
In the first act, Rouen struck a big blow by winning 4-1. This victory has a name: Arthur Magnien. The Rouen pitcher delivered a masterful performance, completing 7 innings while allowing only 3 hits and 1 run. Facing him, Meyzieu’s offensive machine jammed, despite the efforts of Thibaut Duroux (1 hit, 1 run). Louis Gerberon (2 hits) and Martin Vissac (1 hit, 2 RBI) were the architects of Normandy’s realism.
Stung by this morning defeat, the Lyonnais put the record straight in the afternoon (9-2). If the start of the game was tight, the Cards’ attack eventually wore down the Rouen staff. Lancelot Delzant, effective in relief, secured the win. Audric Deschamps and Martin Lavergne’s exemplary discipline knew how to create gaps in a suddenly more porous Huskies defense. A point split that allows both teams to stay in touch with the top of the table.
Montigny-le-Bretonneux Cougars vs Valenciennes Vipères
12 – 0 then 9 – 8 for Montigny
The Montigny Cougars completed the perfect operation of the weekend by signing a « sweep » against a Valenciennes team that nevertheless did not disgrace itself in the second match.
In the morning, there was no match. Ricky Jon Deeble reminded everyone why he is one of the most feared arms in the division. In 5 dominant innings (mercy rule victory), the Cougars’ ace struck out 9 batters, leaving no hope for the Vipers. At the plate, 2B Wilmer Pino Centeno and Left Fielder Kiyoshi Grisot Garbascz turned every at-bat into a nightmare for the opposing pitcher, Yugo Takatani (7ER).
The second match was of a completely different intensity. Valenciennes, led by their inspired Catcher Clément Thomasse, made life difficult for the home team, leading by three points in the middle of the game (7-4 in the 4th inning). But Montigny has a bench depth that makes the difference. The Cougars chipped away at their deficit point by point to finally win 9-8 in a nail-biter. Wyart Noumaud steals the victory on the mound, sealing a perfect weekend for the Île-de-France team who settle into the leader’s chair (3-1).
Nice Cavigal vs Montpellier 2 Barracudas
12 – 2 then 17 – 7 (Nice)
The Nice Cavigal confirmed their firepower by sweeping the Montpellier reserve team. With 29 runs scored in the day, the Côte d’Azur team sent a clear message: their offense is the most dangerous in the championship.
The first match was a formality for Nice (12-2). Danny Agustin Michel was once again imperial, pitching 5 innings with 7 strikeouts. Montpellier tried to resist through pitcher Quentin Lesfargues, but the Barracudas’ repeated defensive errors made the task impossible. The Niçois multiplied hits, extra-bases, and walks to quickly wrap up the game.
The afternoon was even more prolific. Despite an encouraging start for Montpellier, who managed to score 7 points (including a fine performance by Noah Masson), the Niçois responded with a real cannonade. A final score of 17-7 that illustrates the difficulty for the young Hérault pitchers to contain hitters of the caliber of Jonathan Montas or Joan Viala. Nice leaves with two victories and confidence at its peak.
Metz Cometz vs Bréal-sous-Montfort Black Panthers
14 – 0 then 9 – 4 (Metz)
Metz struck a big blow this Sunday, marking the start of the season with a defensive performance that will go down in the annals.
The first match in Metz was the scene of a rare feat. Ismael Abraham Soto Arellano threw a no-hitter in 5 innings of total domination. 8 strikeouts, no hits, no scares. Supported by an always sharp Ashton Neuman at the plate (2 hits, 2 RBI), Metz crushed Bréal 14-0. A clinical performance that places the Cometz among the bogeymen of the pool.
Bréal tried to pick themselves up in the second duel, but the damage was done. The Cometz, under the guidance of Mathieu Launay on the mound, managed their lead to win 9-4. Despite the courage of Sami Makdad and Rowan Barbosa-Dias, the Black Panthers never managed to close the gap created in the early innings by a Messin lineup of redoubtable efficiency.
Clermont Arvernes vs Ermont Expos
5 – 0 Clermont then 15 – 7 Ermont
In Clermont, spectators witnessed two matches that were complete opposites, perfectly symbolizing the beauty and cruelty of baseball.
The first match was a recital by Gen Taguchi. The Clermont pitcher delivered a titanic performance: 15 strikeouts in 7 innings! With only 2 hits allowed and no points, Taguchi literally carried his team to a shutout (5-0). Sébastien Grimaud and Jeremy Blasolle provided the necessary offensive support to validate this prestigious victory.
Clermont seemed on the royal road, but Ermont reacted with an unexpected offensive fury in the afternoon. The Expos took advantage of the fatigue of the Arverne staff to score 15 points, including an anthology 4th inning with 5 points. Nathan Miranda secures the win, well helped by a found attack where Nathan Miranda (yes, him again, at the plate this time!) and David Devieze made their mark. Clermont goes down 15-7 in a crazy match, leaving the two teams on an equitable point split.
The J2 balance
This weekend reshuffled the cards. If Nice and Montigny make a clean sweep to settle at the top, the historic performance of Soto Arellano in Metz and the tug-of-war between Rouen and Meyzieu prove that the race for the playoffs will be a battle every moment. The appointment is made for J3, where the pitchers will try to confirm their dominance against lineups that are just waiting to explode.
