Two distinct groups are already emerging in the D1 championship, with all four matches of the 1st matchday ending in 2-0 victories. Of course, one opening day doesn’t make a season, and everything will likely be called into question very quickly, but some trends are beginning to take shape.
The Champion in Control
Rouen did the job against the promoted team, under typically Norman weather. The Huskies were never really troubled, demonstrating strong defensive solidity (0 errors) and a well-oiled offense (23 hits), with a power display from the Killer B’s: Blondel, Bert, and Brainville. These three boasted a .440 batting average and drove in 6 RBI. But when you’re the champion, you’re inevitably scrutinized for excellence. So, one could point to the weak .259 with runners in scoring position or the 14 walks allowed by the pitching staff to measure that the Huskies still have a significant margin for improvement. On the Béziers side, we saw a scrappy and courageous team, also talented, with Meza and Torres notably standing out. They will certainly be very valuable pieces in chasing victories. The JFL pitching remains a weak point, but this first D1 outing proves encouraging for the Pirates.
The Grass is Greener Elsewhere
It’s not easy, the 2024 season for Gabriel Do Carmo and Dylan Mayeux. A combined .193 batting average is not what we expect from players of their caliber. It seems that moving from the Yvelines to Seine-et-Marne has given them wings, as the two have joyfully contributed to dismantling the 2024 finalist. 3 in 9 for the Brazilian catcher, fresh back from the WBSC, 5 in 6 for the former Cougars first baseman. This sets the tone for a promising season, especially since Yorfrank Lopez, who didn’t seem quite in his element last season (1.02 ERA), delivered his 26th career complete game. He had only one last season. So, yes, some sour spirits might say that keeping your ace on the mound for 126 pitches during a cool opening day and that the score was sealed in the 2nd inning isn’t ideal. But Lopez is a machine, and he’s seen it all. Speaking of players benefiting from a change of scenery, a former Templar, Tristan Laufenbuchler, seems to have profited well from his move to La Rochelle. He, who hadn’t hit an extra-base hit all during the 2024 regular season, has already notched a triple.
Defenseless
Since we’re in La Rochelle, let’s salute the excellent start to the season for the Boucaniers, who barely allowed Kevin Canelon to stay cool, or almost, to avoid adding insult to injury against their opponent of the day, Barracudas who were completely unrecognizable, and whose 8 errors in game 1 certainly contributed to shaving coach Tim Smith’s beard. In defense of the Challenge de France holders, they had to deal with the last-minute forfeit of Jake DeFries, injured, who will not play for them after all. It’s certainly a big blow, but it doesn’t detract from the merits of La Rochelle, very inspired in their strategic choices, including that of giving the ball in the 1st game to Louis Perrois, who perfectly responded for 4.2 innings. Last year, La Rochelle had a cannonball start to the season before running out of steam. We’ll soon see if the lesson has been learned.
How They’ve Grown
Naturally, in Rouen, they watch with interest, and a bit of emotion (after all, they’ve seen this kid grow up), the first steps of Logan Perez in D1. 0 in 3 (and a hit by pitch) in the 1st game, one thinks that it’s the job that’s coming in, and that he made contact in each of his appearances. But when you’re called Perez (or more precisely Perez-Cremer, let’s give credit where credit is due to Michèle), you don’t settle for a simple satisficing. You go back to battle. Result, in the 2nd game, 3 in 3, 2 RBI, a performance that even earned him a BBI in the 10th inning. But when you look at Logan, you must also shift your eyes a few meters to your right to see the excellent start at shortstop of another very promising young player, Victor Feliu. This duo will be fascinating to follow this season. These two young players are supported, on the field since they are at 1st and 3rd base, and in the dugouts, with their high-level experience, by Mendoza and Soriano, it’s perfect for progressing and giving beautiful hopes to the Toulousains for this season.
Upcoming
A first summit clash between Sénart and Rouen, which will bring back memories, not so distant, of the epic battles between these two teams. It will be interesting to see if the Huskies will fine-tune their adjustments and if the Templiers will be in the same euphoria as on the 1st matchday. Conversely, the showdown between Metz and Montpellier can already be significant. They must not lose the 2 matches, at the risk of being left behind. Savigny was knocked out by Sénart, it’s hard to see the Lions not bouncing back, but against Boucaniers in top form, the task won’t be simple. Finally, there should be a lot of atmosphere and noise in Béziers for the Pirates’ home debut against the neighboring Toulousain. It’s an important new test for the promoted team, fully capable of securing their first victory.
