Another exciting weekend of bat sports: 8th round of Division 1 baseball, 7th round of Division 2 baseball, and 5th round of Division 1 Women’s Softball.
Division 1 Women’s Softball
After a weekend off following the Super League, the championship resumes. For the record, Evry leads the way with just one loss, followed by Grenoble’s Grizzlies. Clapiers and Saint-Raphaël are hot on their heels, with Paris and Nice bringing up the rear. These two teams face off this weekend, and the bottom of the standings will be decided in these two games. Meanwhile, Clapiers traveling to Evry and Saint-Raphaël heading to Grenoble have a chance to climb back up the table. This championship remains tightly contested, and this weekend could see the top two teams pull away or the entire field tighten up.
Division 2 Baseball
With Clermont drawing against Eysines last weekend, four teams now sit atop their respective pools: Sénart2 and Valenciennes in Pool A, and Clermont and Béziers in Pool B. Apart from Rouen in Pool A, who could challenge the top two, the suspense for the playoffs is beginning to fade. This weekend, the clash between Rouen and host Sénart will be decisive. For the other leaders, Valenciennes host Dunkerque and should comfortably win, as should Clermont away to La Rochelle and Béziers hosting Anglet. For us spectators, if the underdogs can shake up the leaders, it would be a treat.
We’ll keep an eye on some batters who are tearing up the averages, like Pilar-Velasquez with a .667 average over 30 at bats (including 4 home runs) or Andrew Patten in Valenciennes with a .464 average over 28 at bats.
Division 1 Baseball
Let’s start with the heavyweight clash between Savigny and Montpellier. Hosting Savigny will have to face the pool leader. Judging by the stats, we’d back Montpellier to win, but Savigny have only played 6 games so far. So, what to bet on? Lack of competition or fresh legs?
Prediction: Split between the two teams
Metz and Nice will meet in the east to battle it out. Metz crushed their opponents in March, winning 9-0 twice. Nice are up against it. Two defeats for the Cavigals would ensure Metz keep their distance and secure their survival. Both teams have strengthened but also built up frustrations. Nice are yet to secure a win, and Metz regularly come up short against bigger teams, often close to taking a game off a top side. The sum of these frustrations should make for an exciting contest.
Prediction: Split between the two teams
Rouen host La Rochelle. On the occasion of this match, which will be broadcast, the Huskies will unveil a new jersey (navy) to showcase their collaboration with the Armada sailing event, which will take place in the summer of 2023. As hosts, the maritime buccaneers have a golden opportunity. On the baseball front, the two teams split their first meeting in March. Since then, La Rochelle have strengthened their squad (not as much as hoped and have lost their leader in Crawford), while Rouen have continued to doubt despite three new recruits already making their mark (Martina and Mackinnon and more recently Quebec left-handed pitcher William Lacroix). La Rochelle will do everything they can to repeat that feat and secure their survival (even if the playoffs are becoming increasingly out of reach). The pack, however, can no longer afford many more mistakes. While Toulouse now seem untouchable, Rouen’s successive defeats have left them far from comfortable.
Prediction: Rouen win both games
Finally, Toulouse travel to Paris. A chance for them to cement their lead in Pool A. For PUC, the writing is already on the wall. However, they won’t go down without a fight and, as in Rouen, could play spoilers.
Prediction: Toulouse win both games
On the player front, we’ll be keeping an eye on Mizuno in Sénart, who is batting .487 over 39 at bats, and Mendoza in Toulouse, who is batting .429 over 35 at bats.
