After a nail-biting five-game series, the Montpellier Barracudas, known as the Bracos, secured their fifth title by defeating the Clapiers-Jacou Rabbits.
A purely Hérault showdown for this championship final held on Sunday, September 4 in Clapiers and the weekend of September 24 and 25, 2022 in Montpellier.
- 1st match won by the Rabbits, 9-7. Despite an equal number of hits and Rémi Pujal, Montpellier’s pitcher, with fewer earned runs than Killian Cousy and Jacques Boucheron, the two pitchers for Clapiers, the Rabbits’ determination was unshakable and secured their victory.
- 2nd match won by the Rabbits 11-10. Boosted by their first win of the day, they tied the score in the 4th inning and then scored again in the next inning, securing a comfortable lead they defended until the final out. The Montpelliérains’ strong hits in the last inning weren’t enough.
After this first day of the final, the Rabbits brought two victories back to their burrow.
- 3rd match won by the Bracos 14-6. Trailing in this final series by two wins, they had no choice but to win if they hoped to keep their title. With 14 hits, including 5 home runs, the Montpelliérains showed they were highly motivated.
- 4th match won by the Bracos 20-5. This Sunday morning in Veyrassi, everyone was ready to battle on the field. But it was the Bracos, dominant in every aspect of the game, who secured the victory, setting up the decisive fifth match.
- 5th match won by the Bracos 11-0. Another powerful offensive display by the Montpelliérains with 9 hits in three at-bats. Remy Pujal on the mound, determined to win gold, allowed no hits and gave the Rabbits no chance.
Anthony and Gérard Cros
A few words from Pierre Manville, coach of Montpellier, to reflect on this fifth title.
BTVF: After a five-game final that ended in your favor, securing your fifth title, what are your thoughts?
It’s cool! We could have lost, but the first two games didn’t represent us at all. There was no need to stress because if we play the way we know how, we can beat anyone. Unfortunately, sometimes we’re capable of the worst… we left 23 runners on base in the first two games. The Rabbits played well, we didn’t. But we came back determined. I knew that if we won more than one game during the second weekend, we would win. Everyone was involved, and we chased down the victories one by one to keep the cup in Montpellier.
BTVF: In your opinion, what action best represents this final series?
There wasn’t one particular action but rather a collective positive attitude that showed we were there and that it would be very tough for the Rabbits. The question was how long Jacques Boucheron, who isn’t a pitcher by trade, could contain us. We found the flaw and hit well.
BTVF: What’s your assessment of this season?
It’s a positive assessment with a progressive rise in performance. We need to keep working, especially at the plate, to be competitive in the European Cup. I’m very happy with the pitching, with the MVP title for Rémy Pujal and the best pitcher title for Mickael Mengoli. We needed foreign players at the beginning to learn and progress faster, but now in the championship, it’s less necessary, although it will be in the cup. Can’t wait for next season.
Raina Hunter
