The third day of the French Softball D1 Men’s Championship was set to be decisive. After two weekends of play, it was the last day of the first phase.
In Pool A, the Pharaons d’Evry-Courcouronnes were alone at the top, undefeated (4-0), carried by a surgical attack and sovereign pitching. Behind them, Nogent-sur-Marne and Rouen (2-2 each) were clinging to the middle zone, aware that the slightest mistake could tip them into the second half of the table. The PUC, for its part, had still not found the key (0-4) and was approaching this day with the urgency of a collective awakening.
In Pool B, the Cobras de Contes had the same perfect record (4-0) and an insolent confidence. But behind them, Nice and Toulouse (2-2) were preparing to deliver a double-edged duel: the one who won would remain in the race at the top of the table, the one who lost would see Contes move away definitively. The Grizzlys de Grenoble, meanwhile, were at the bottom (0-4) and had to turn frustration into a reaction.
Between assumed ambitions and sporting survival, this third day of the championship was set to be decisive.Match 1 Pharaons 9–2 Huskiesn
The Pharaons d’Évry‑Courcouronnes started their series off right with a 9–2 win over the Huskies de Rouen, fueled by a dominant performance from Paul Lemettre on the mound and at the plate.n
The Francilian pitcher threw 6 innings, allowing only 3 hits and 2 unearned runs, while striking out 11 batters. A true demonstration of power.n
In attack, Évry was imperial: 9 hits, 9 runs, 9 RBI. The offensive hero is Lucas Manglé, who had a 3/4 with a triple and 5 RBI, a real tormentor of the Huskies. Ferreira (2/3, 1 RBI, 2 TB), Lemestre (1/4, 1 RBI) and Lemettre himself (1/2, 1 RBI, 2 SB) completed an effective attack.
Rouen never found its rhythm: only 3 hits, including a double by Aurélien Hue. Pompelle (3.1 IP, 6 R, 5 ER) and then Demanneville (3 R in 1.2 IP) suffered the constant pressure of the Pharaohs.
Highlight of Game 1: Lucas Manglé. 3/4, 1 triple, 5 RBI, 5 TB: a reference match.Paul Lemettre, repositioned as center fielder, was once again brilliant: 3/4, 3 points scored, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 6 HB. But he was not alone: Pierrick Lemestre (2/4, HR, 5 RBI, 6 HB), Vincent Ferreira (3/4, 2 RBI, 4 HB), Florian Peyrichou (2/4, 2 RBI), Christopher Launay (4/4, 2 RBI, 7 HB) and Lucas Manglé (2/3, 1 BB, 3 HB) constituted a strong attack.
On the mound, Évry ensured the essentials with Jouhanneau (2.1 IP, 4 R including 2 ER), then with Jonathan Lamon, solid in relief with 1.2 IP, 1 unearned run and 3 K.
Rouen tried to exist with Houtteville (2/2, 1 RBI), Brouard (1/2) and Celibert (1/1, 1 RBI), but the defense (2 errors) and on the pitching side, Pompelle played the firefighters.
Quickening of Match 2 for: Pierrick Lemestre. 2/4, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 HB, he was the offensive leader of a lineup on fire.Club Universitaire de Paris opened the match with a strong performance in the first inning, setting the tone for a one-sided game.
In the first three and a third innings, the Parisians wrapped up the game with an impeccable performance by Mukhtar Ali Ghulami, who pitched a no-hitter in 4.0 innings, with 4 strikeouts and only 2 walks. The Parisian pitcher, who also tripled at bat (3 TB), set the tone for a one-way match.
In the attack, the PUC scored 10 points with only 3 hits, taking full advantage of the Nogent mistakes. The RBIs are signed Ghulami, Ullah, Zawismy, Zberro and Caplan, each with 1 point produced. Ullah (2/2, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB) and Zberro (1/3, 1 RBI) perfectly fueled the offensive machine.
Nogent, on the other hand, never found its rhythm: 0 hits, 0 points, and a struggling defense. Pertuisot (2.0 IP, 7 non-earned runs) and Anastasio (3 R in 1.1 IP) suffered constant pressure.
Highlights of Game 1 for: Mukhtar Ali Ghulami. No-hitter, 4 K, 1 RBI, a triple: total domination.
Match 2 PUC 6-13 Nogent-sur-Marne
A change of pace in the second game. This time, the Bandits from Nogent-sur-Marne took control, winning 13-6 thanks to a revitalized offense and constant aggression on the bases.
Nogent accumulated 13 points, 9 hits, and 5 walks. Guillaume Coquel was omnipresent: 3 BB, 2 SB, 2 runs scored, while Sébastien Samuel added 2 SB and a run. But the real offensive engine was Nelson De Amorim, who went 2-for-2 with a double and 2 RBI, constantly dangerous at the heart of the order.
Landeta added a triple and 2 RBI, Pertuisot a 2-for-3 with 1 RBI and 2 SB, and Ladant a solid 2-for-3 with 1 RBI. A complete, disciplined offense that punished every Parisian approximation.
On the PUC side, the offense was present: 11 hits, including 2 for Ghulami, 2 for Ullah, 2 for Stumpf (who had 2 RBI and 2 SB). But the pitching was much less imperial than in the first game and it was the Nogentais who took the lead.
Cavigal vs Grizzlys
Match 1 Nice 13–6 GrenobleMatch 2 Nice 19–1 Grenoble
Si le premier match a été compliqué pour les Grenoblois, que dire du second ?
Nice bat sèchement Grenoble 19–1, avec 19 hits, 14 RBI, et un lineup qui a frappé comme si chaque at-bat était un règlement de comptes.
À la manœuvre ? Nic Flayol, absolument injouable : un 4/4, 1 HR, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 9 TB.
Autour de lui, tout le monde a participé à la fête : Benjamin Gonfrier (2/2, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB), Sylvain Buvat (un 2/3, 1 double, 1 RBI), Cyril Grimaldi (2/3, 1 RBI, 2 TB), Sébastien Drouilly (2/3, 1 RBI), Arnaud Sola (3/4, 1 RBI, 4 TB), Alann Parois (1/2, 1 RBI, 2 TB).
Sur le monticule, Thomas Hemzacek a fait le travail proprement : 4.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 point non mérité, 3 K, sans jamais être inquiété.
En face, Grenoble a vécu un cauchemar statistique : 2 hits seulement, 1 point, 4 erreurs, 4 PB, et un pitching qui a encaissé 19 hits et 19 runs en 4 manches.
Leclaire (2.0 IP, 7 ER) puis Josse (11 hits, 12 R dont 3 ER en 1.2 IP) ont subi un tsunami offensif impossible à arrêter.
Quickening du Match 2 pour: Nic Flayol. 4/4, HR, 2 doubles, 5 RBI, 9 TB : un match de patron, sans discussion.RBI) put on a show. And to top it off, Jose Aridio Emerigeldo Batista pitched a complete game of 4.0 innings, 1 hit, 10 K, zero BB. A perfect game.
Quickening of Match 1 for: Robinson Quintero Morales. 3/4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 9 TB, just huge!
Match 2 Toulouse 5-9 Contes
The second match offered a more balanced scenario… but in the end it’s still Contes who wins.
The Toulousains hit 7 hits, score 9 points, and show a much more combative face. The revival is led by Vincent Gambardella, who hits a grand slam (4 RBI) and pitches a complete game: 1/1, HR, 4 RBI, 4 TB, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SB.
Blaise Cardonne adds a 3/4 with a double, Neumann a 1/2, 2 BB, 1 SB, and Champié a hit.
But Contes, even less flashy, remains Contes: Quintero Morales (2/3, 1 double, 3 TB), Navarro Alfaro (2/3, 1 double), Emerigeldo Batista (2/4, 3 RBI), allow the southeast to dominate the southwest.
On the pitching side, Emerigeldo Batista was outstanding with a complete game of 4.0 innings, 1 hit, 10 K, zero BB. A perfect game.Quickening du Match 2 pour: Vincent Gambardella. Grand slam, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 SB, l’âme du réveil toulousain.Redemption quest: Rouen, Toulouse, Paris Université Club and Grenoble.
For them, the stakes are just as vital: avoiding relegation and regaining a positive dynamic. Some will have to heal their wounds, others rediscover the taste of collective play, but all know that the season will no longer forgive their mistakes.
This first phase has revealed gaps, promises and frustrations.
The continuation will be written between ambition and survival – where every throw will count, and where the Softlanders will have to prove that they deserve to remain among the immortals of the championship.
– Sébastien Dondé.
Photo credits: club social media; results and ranking design: Matteo Van Parys.
