Weekend Review

Last weekend, the catch‑up weekend was set to ignite. The Grizzlys and the Wildcats are tied, the Pharaohs are playing to lock in the semi‑finals, and the Comanches aim for invincibility in the regular phase.

The Grizzlys and the Wildcats have the same number of wins. Colombes has only one game left, Grenoble has two. And the equation is brutal: if the two teams finish level, Colombes will qualify for the semi‑final. A cold, mathematical sentence that puts immense pressure on the Grizzlys.

For both squads, a feat will be required. Not a good game: a feat. Indeed, if the two opponents, who face each other at a distance, receive, they do not receive just anyone: the two favorites for the ultimate crown!

The super round is earned, as it is the price.

Grizzlys vs Pharaohs

Match 1: Grenoble 0-10 Evry‑Courcouronnes

Evry launched its double confrontation against Grenoble with total domination from the first minutes. The game quickly turned, as Evry’s mastery was clear in every sector of play. The collective was disciplined, aggressive, precise, and never let Grenoble breathe, starting from the first inning.

The second inning was the moment where Evry irreversibly widened the gap. Sirena Salazar opened the sequence with a single that advanced two runners, Léonie Pauthe hit a powerful double down the left‑field line, Emma Liminier added a single, and Rosalie Coste sealed the deal with a clean‑center double. Grenoble failed to stop the hemorrhage, conceding five runs in that single inning.

The third inning confirmed the Île‑de‑France superiority. Océane Lecourt Milliet hit a monumental triple down the left‑field alley, Papoin produced a sacrifice, and the Grenoble defense continued to falter under pressure. Evry played simple, efficient, never rushing. The runners advanced on smart decisions, the hits stayed tight and well‑placed, and the Grenoble defensive rotation found no solution.

The fourth inning closed the game. Grenoble tried a reaction with a single by Diane Simon, but Evry immediately locked it down. Rosalie Coste, on the mound, delivered an impeccable performance: four innings, only two hits allowed, no runs, three strikeouts, and total control of the tempo. The surrounding defense stayed solid, clean, focused. Evry won 10–0, never wavering, in a game where technical, tactical, and mental superiority was obvious.

MVP of the game: Rosalie Coste. She was the centerpiece of the Pharaohs’ victory. 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 K, no dangerous sequences left to Grenoble. She also added a double RBI in the key inning.

Match 2: Grenoble 2-9 Evry‑Courcouronnes

The second showdown between Evry and Grenoble confirmed the trend of the first: Evry is above, more disciplined, more aggressive, more consistent. Grenoble tries to resist, but the mastery gap is too large. Evry sets its pace from the first inning, with a perfectly executed sequence. Océane Lecourt Milliet steals the second base, advances on an inside play, then scores on a groundout by Rosalie Coste.

The third inning is the first turning point of the game. Emma Liminier hits a single that produces two runs, taking advantage of a delayed Grenoble lineup. Rosalie Coste follows with another single, Papoin reaches base on a defensive feint, and Lecourt Milliet adds a powerful single to center. Evry scores two more runs and widens the gap. Grenoble tries to contain, but the defense remains fragile, conceding space and extra runs.

In the fourth, the Pharaohs score six runs in a perfectly mastered offensive sequence. Sirena Salazar hits a double that brings in two runs, Léonie Pauthe adds a single that produces a new run, Papoin gets a walk, and Lecourt Milliet hits a single that moves the runners again. Elsa Lepinay then hits a single along the left‑field line, and Charline Degoul adds another single. Passed balls and Grenoble defensive errors amplify the damage, but Evry does not rely on them: the hits are clean, the runs aggressive, and the tactical reading impeccable.

Grenoble manages to score in the fourth inning with an offensive sequence built around Korousova and Simon, but the gap is too large to hope for a comeback. Emma Liminier delivers a solid performance on the mound: five innings, three hits allowed, two runs including one earned, three walks and two strikeouts. She controls the tempo, sets the pace, and never lets Grenoble establish a lasting threat.

MVP of the game: Océane Lecourt Milliet. She was everywhere: 1 HBP, 1 walk, 1 single, an RBI, 2 runs scored, and especially an aggressive base‑running that constantly put pressure on Grenoble.

Wildcats vs Comanches

Colombes 5-16 Saint‑Raphael

Saint‑Raphael delivered an impressive offensive performance against Colombes. The first inning set the tone: Colombes made an error on a hit ball, allowing Mélissa Mayeux to score. Saint‑Raphael followed with a powerful double by Mayeux that brought in Inès Haudiquer, then took advantage of a wild pitch to add a third run. The team played fair, advanced on bases, and imposed constant pressure on the opposing defense.

The second inning confirmed the domination. Mayeux produced a run in a sacrifice, Haudiquer produced another on a deep hit, and Enrione‑Thorrand added a single that brought in Agathe Sagory. Saint‑Raphael scored three more runs, taking advantage of a struggling Colombes defense and a perfect reading of offensive situations.

The third inning was calmer, but Saint‑Raphael remained solid. Morius hit a single, Saidi recorded an important strikeout, and the defense locked down. Colombes tried to react, but Saint‑Raphael’s defensive rotation stayed focused and disciplined.

In the fourth, Saint‑Raphael scored eight runs in a spectacular offensive sequence. Youna Pean hit an inside‑park home run that produced four runs, exploiting a completely out‑matched lineup. Brunel got a walk, Muniers hit a single, Mayeux a double, Haudiquer a triple, and Enrione‑Thorrand continued the streak. Every hit was powerful, every run aggressive, and Colombes’ defense found no solution. Saint‑Raphael ran, set its pace, and turned every base‑presence into a real threat.

Colombes responded in the fourth inning with an encouraging offensive sequence, but Saint‑Raphael was too far ahead. The team finished the game in the fifth inning with solid defense and controlled pitching. Saidi delivered an impeccable performance on the mound, with three hitless innings, two walks and two strikeouts. Brunel took over and absorbed the final opponent sequences.

MVP of the game: Youna Pean. She delivered the most spectacular action of the match: an inside‑the‑park home run with 4 RBI, which literally turned the game. Pean then added a single.

The regular season of the championship is now completely finished. The focus is now on the super round with the semi‑finals. The Var‑based giant will face the Altoséquanaises from Colombes. A confrontation that seems unbalanced as the Comanches appear out of reach of the other teams this season.

The highly tempting duel between the Île‑de‑France and the Girondins in the other semi‑final promises to be particularly contested! The two teams have faced each other hit‑for‑hit during the regular season and are both clever enough to say with certainty who will be the winning team.

Will we see the usual final between the Comanches and the Pharaohs (the two teams have faced each other in the French Series five times in the last seven editions), or will another team upset this classic?

Answer during the weekend of September 19 and 20!

Sébastien Dondé.

Photo credit: FFBS and club RS. Results and Standings design: Lucas Arrighi.