Sunday, June 14, 2026, will be remembered as one of the most uncertain days of the season. But the major news of the weekend is in the standings: Nice Cavigal has taken the top spot in the championship, capitalizing on Metz’s unexpected stumble.
METZ COMETZ vs MONTPELLIER 2 BARRACUDAS:
Game 1 (MTP 0 – 17 MET):This first game was a swift execution in 5 innings (mercy rule). On the mound, Jessel Abrahan Soto Arellano (P) was untouchable: 5.0 innings pitched, 0 runs allowed, just 1 hit given up, and 11 strikeouts. His ERA drops to a stratospheric 0.60. But Metz scored 17 runs because Montpellier self-destructed. Starting pitcher Noé Niepceron-Agrelo (P) and reliever Noah Masson (P) offered a parade of free passes: 5 BB and 5 HBP. Metz was ruthless and lethal, much like Yeixon Ruiz’s (SS) 3-run home run or Arthur Ten Eyck’s (CF) 5 RBIs.
Game 2 (MET 10 – 13 MTP):How can a team that just lost 17-0 bring down the leader just hours later? By scoring 10 runs in the first inning! Metz’s starting pitcher, Hugo Brosius (P), had a nightmare, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) in 4.0 innings of work. For Montpellier, Corentin Deleau (P) held the fort before Raphaël Gouttefangeas (P) put out the fire in relief to secure the win. The Barracudas’ offense, led by Noah Masson (CF) and Noé Niepceron-Agrelo (LF/1B), showed immense heart. Metz believed in a comeback thanks to Yeixon Ruiz (SS) (4 RBIs), but the hole was too deep. This split allows Montpellier to hold onto the 8th place tie (4-10), while Metz slips to 2nd place (11-3).
ROUEN 2 HUSKIES vs NICE CAVIGAL:
Game 1 (ROU 0 – 12 NIC):Wrapped up in 5 innings, this match was dominated by Nice’s starting pitcher Danny Agustin Michel (P). He delivered a true pitching masterclass with a shutout, backed by an impenetrable defense. The Cavigal offense turned the Rouen bullpen into a batting practice, with a monstrous Gauthier Rouleau (DH) (3 hits, 2 RBIs). David Casey (P) took the loss for the asphyxiated Normandy side.
Game 2 (NIC 15 – 5 ROU):Déjà vu in the afternoon. Rouen thought they could breathe against Nice’s second pitcher, Léo Couvreur (P), but he held on to secure the win (3.0 IP, 3 ER). The drama unfolded again on the Normandy mound, where Lucas Laval Quesney (P) was bombarded (9 hits and 9 runs allowed in 2.2 innings). Nice’s lineup is a hydra with multiple heads: Kyllan Bernardelli (SS), Alexis Bisson (3B), and Jonathan Montas (C) all recorded multiple hits. Nice sweeps the series, takes the top spot in D2 with 12 wins and just 2 losses, and buries Rouen in the 10th and last place (3-11).
MEYZIEU-DÉCINES CARDS vs ERMONT EXPOS:
Game 1 (MDC 22 – 4 ERM):The 22-4 score is explained by a complete collapse of the Expos’ fielding. Amaury Heidrich (P) was the morning’s martyr: 10 hits and 17 runs allowed, including « only » 11 earned. Ermont committed 7 errors! Facing these open doors, the Cards showed no mercy. Timothé Cohen (DH/1B) had an excellent game: 2 home runs and 5 RBIs. On the mound, Martin Lavergne (P) cruised with that comfortable cushion.
Game 2 (ERM 12 – 6 MDC):Stung, Ermont’s players won the afternoon game thanks to Yondeily Quiroz Adames (P/1B). Ermont’s ace pitched 5.0 solid innings (97 pitches, 59 strikes) to secure the win. The offense capitalized on the Lyon starter Brieuc Quertier’s (P) lack of precision, while Meyzieu’s defense also started to leak (4 errors). A split that leaves the Expos 8th (4-10) and the Cards in the trio battling for 4th place (7-7).
BRÉAL-SOUS-MONTFORT BLACK PANTHERS vs VALENCIENNES VIPÈRES:
Game 1 (BRE 5 – 6 VAL): Valenciennes set the pace by inflicting 5 runs early on the Breton starting pitcher Sami Makdad (P). Despite shaky control (6 BB), Koshiro Fujita’s (P/LF) courage on the mound maintained the Vipers’ advantage. In crucial moments, closer Judah Wollenburg (P) locked down the game with a golden save (1.2 immaculate innings).
Game 2 (VAL 6 – 7 BRE): Valenciennes had the upper hand thanks to an exceptional start by Hugo Senecal (P) (6.0 IP, 3 ER). But the Northern defense collapsed in the final stretch. Three critical errors by the relief pitcher Bastien Tremble (P) and his infield gave away 2 unearned runs, handing the victory to Bréal on a silver platter. Alexis Queguiner (P) inherits this precious win. Bréal remains in the fight for 4th place (7-7) while Valenciennes stays 7th (5-9).
MONTIGNY COUGARS vs CLERMONT-FERRAND ARVERNES:
Game 1 (CLF 6 – 3 MON):This is the kind of game that defines a season. This first clash offered a pitching duel of rare intensity between two aces, ending with a stunning upset by the Arvernes. On the mound for Clermont, Gen Taguchi (P) delivered a heroic performance: a complete game of 8.0 innings, 125 pitches, 12 strikeouts, and 0 ER! Despite 3 errors by his defense (including 2 by Ludovic Versapuech) that cost 3 unearned runs, Taguchi never flinched. On the other side, the formidable Ricky Jon Deeble (P) also dominated (13 strikeouts in 8.0 IP), but eventually cracked under the Clermont offensive pressure. The offensive hero is Jeremy Blasiole (1B/LF), author of a devastating 3-run home run that broke the seemingly invincible Deeble. Clermont strikes a major blow right from the start.
Game 2 (MON 11 – 1 CLF):The Cougars’ response was swift. In the afternoon, Montigny dismantled their opponents with the regularity of a metronome to secure the split. With this decisive 11-1 victory, the Paris-region pitching staff set the record straight. Wyatt Nouhaud (P) earns the win (4.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 strikeouts), before Fred Antoine Forte (P) closed the show with 2.0 absolutely perfect relief innings (0 hits, 3 strikeouts). Montigny’s offense pounded the poor Nathan Mirand (P), who completely lost his strike zone. The Arverne starter allowed the staggering total of 9 BB, leading to 8 runs allowed in just 2.0 innings of work. Hector Velasquez (SS) feasted on these opportunities with 3 RBIs on 2 hits. For Clermont, the offensive shipwreck is total: the team records just one hit in the entire game, the work of the inevitable Jeremy Blasiole (1B) who produces the run of honor and avoids the shutout.
Day’s Recap:
The mid-June standings offer a thrilling scenario. The top three have pulled away: Nice Cavigal (1st) sets an infernal pace, closely followed by Metz (2nd) and Montigny (3rd). Behind them, the battle rages for 4th place, with a perfect tie between Bréal, Clermont, and Meyzieu (all at 7-7). At the bottom, while Valenciennes (7th) still has some breathing room, the situation is critical for Ermont and Montpellier (4-10), while Rouen seems destined for the cellar (3-11).
Matteo Van Parys
Photo credits: RS Club, Celia Baudchon
