Cavigal de Nice: 2022 15U French Baseball Champions

Recap of the 15U French Championship final

On October 9th, Cavigal de Nice claimed the 2022 French 15U Baseball Championship.

In Évry-Courcouronnes, the Cavigal, who had beaten PUC 2-0 in the semifinals on Saturday, edged out Sénart 6-5 in the final.

This is Nice’s second straight title in the French 15U Baseball Championship after their 2021 victory.

Interview with the 15U coach and Cavigal de Nice Baseball Club employee: Gauthier Rouleau

BTVF: How did the season go?

Since our 2021 French Championship title, our goal was to repeat. Naturally, this time we were the team to beat. That’s why we trained hard to meet that objective.

We had a great regional league season, facing increasingly strong teams year after year, which helped us prepare properly.

BTVF: What were the team’s strengths?

This year, our strengths were our combination of pitchers and collective mental toughness. This allowed us to face excellent teams, right up to the final where we were trailing on the scoreboard. Yet we never gave up and managed to come back, finishing with a walk-off by Emma FLAYOL.

BTVF: What does the title mean for the club?

I think this is a first for the 15U category, especially back-to-back. It’s a fantastic reward for the years of work we’ve put in, both for the young players and all the club’s staff.

Ben Coureur, tournament’s top pitcher

BTVF: Were there any standout players?

I’d mainly talk about a collective effort that rose to the occasion, that never gave up despite being behind on the scoreboard. They all led the team to victory in their own way. I must thank our catchers who stopped the opposing offense, which gave the rest of the team confidence.

I’d like to thank the Executive Committee for giving me the opportunity to participate in tournaments, and Isabel BERTRAND, Christelle BONAVITA, and the players’ parents for supporting us, the entire Cavigal club, its volunteers, and members for their support and help over many years.

Photo credit: Glenn Gervot