The beauty of the game, the hell of defenses, and the fall of the invincibles
METZ COMETZ vs MEYZIEU-DÉCINES CARDS:
This was the most anticipated matchup, and it delivered on all fronts with two completely opposite outcomes.
Game 1: History is written in Lorraine (MET 9 – 0 MDC)
This duel wasn’t a competition; it was a clinical execution. Metz’s starting pitcher, Jessel Abrahan Soto Arellano (P), threw a no-hitter (shutout) over 7 innings. His stats are terrifying: 7.0 innings pitched, 0 hits allowed, 0 runs, and 12 strikeouts for just 2 walks. He threw 97 pitches, with 61 strikes, maintaining relentless pressure on the Cards’ lineup.
The Cometz offense, meanwhile, brought the fire. Matéis Anduse (LF) delivered a stratospheric performance at the plate: 3 hits in 4 at-bats, 4 RBIs, and a devastating home run. He was perfectly backed by Ashton Neuman (CF), who also hit a home run while driving in 3 runs on his 2 hits. Yeixon Ruiz (SS) kept the pressure on with 2 hits in 5 at-bats.
For the Cards, starting pitcher Lancelot Delzant (P) took the loss. He allowed 6 runs in 3 innings, but only 1 was earned (1 ER). His defense completely let him down: Martin Lavergne (1B), Timothé Cohen (C), and Xavier Prisse (2B) each committed an error.
Game 2: The Lyon upset and the end of invincibility (MDC 5 – 3 MET)
The afternoon brought a true earthquake. Meyzieu-Décines took down the Messin giant, handing the Cometz their first loss of the season. This triumph bears Martin Lavergne’s signature. On the mound, he muzzled Metz’s offense for 6.1 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits, and striking out 6. Not content with his pitching, Lavergne was also crucial at the plate with 1 hit and 2 key RBIs. Bastien Leveque (SS then P), after hitting 2 singles, came in to secure the save by getting the final two outs.
For Metz, starting pitcher Elliot Ten Eyck (P) took the loss despite a decent performance: in 3.2 innings, he allowed 5 runs, but only 1 was earned. Once again, the defense collapsed at the worst moment. Despite the efforts of
Yeixon Ruiz (SS) (2 hits, 1 RBI) and Ashton Neuman (CF) (1 hit, 1 RBI), Metz folded. A split that completely reshuffles the standings.
NICE CAVIGAL vs BRÉAL-SOUS-MONTFORT BLACK PANTHERS
Nice pulled off a big upset by sweeping the Bretons, but both games offered completely irrational scenarios.
Game 1: An abandoned pitcher, a miraculous victory (BRE 7 – 8 NIC)
The 8-7 score in favor of Nice hides a brutal statistical reality. Danny Agustin Michel (P), Nice’s pitcher, earned the win after throwing 8 complete innings and striking out 15 batters (15 K’s). Yet, he allowed 7 runs… none of which were earned (0 ER)! His defense melted down: Alexis Bisson (3B) committed two errors, Lucas Bagnis Nguyen (1B) two others, and Danny Agustin Michel (P) himself made an error. To save their pitcher, the Cavigal batters had to fight. Gauthier Rouleau (DH) hit a crucial double and drove in a run, earning two walks (one intentional). Sébastien Roquet (CF) also hit a double, finishing with 2 hits. For Bréal, Jules Fontaine (RF) gave it his all with 2 hits and 3 RBIs. Starting pitcher Louka Renaudin (P) had a solid start (4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 SO), but the bullpen cracked, with Evan Barbosa-Dias (P) allowing 5 runs in 3 innings. Alexis Queguiner (P) allowed the losing run in 0.1 inning.
Game 2: The first-inning explosion (NIC 12 – 10 BRE)
If you love offense, this game was for you. Nice won 12-10 by doing the unthinkable: scoring 10 runs in the very first inning! Breton starting pitcher Sami Makdad (P) had a nightmare, managing only two outs (0.2 IP) while allowing 10 runs (4 earned) and 5 walks. The 2 errors by Jules Fontaine (CF/RF) amplified the bleeding. Nice’s offensive hero of the afternoon was undoubtedly Alexis Bisson (3B/P). He literally destroyed the ball: 4 hits in 5 at-bats, 1 home run, and 5 RBIs. Kyllan Bernardelli (SS) backed him up with 3 hits.
But Bréal didn’t give up. Taking advantage of the weaknesses of Nice’s starting pitcher Léo Couvreur (0.2 IP, 5 R, 3 BB), the Black Panthers got back into the game. Victor Godet (C) drove in 3 runs on 2 hits. It was Sébastien Roquet who had to step up in long relief to stabilize the Nice ship and secure the win (4.2 IP, 4 ER). Alexis Bisson (3B/P) came in to close the deal for the save, crowning his perfect game. A crucial sweep for the Cavigal.
ROUEN 2 HUSKIES vs VALENCIENNES VIPÈRES
A very balanced series between two teams looking for their rhythm, ending in a logical split.
Game 1: Norman opportunism (ROU 6 – 5 VAL)
Valenciennes got off to a rough start. Yugo Takatani (P) had a nightmare beginning: in 3 innings, he issued 6 walks, allowing 6 runs to score. The bullpen was perfect, however: Koshiro Fujita (P) threw 4 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts. The Huskies only needed 5 hits to win. Adriano Terlizzi (3B) hit a productive double, and Tristan Rau (SS) also drove in a run. On the mound, Lucas Laval Quesney (P) limited the damage (3.2 IP, 1 ER) before David Casey (P) allowed 3 earned runs. Yoann Vaugelade (P) locked down the end of the game (1.1 IP) for the win. Valenciennes tried to mount a comeback with a double by Masaharu Hamada (2B) driving in 3 runs, and Koshiro Fujita’s (LF/P) perfect 3-for-3 performance, but the two errors by Adrien Lamour (3B) weighed heavily.
Game 2: The Vipers’ wake-up call (VAL 9 – 5 ROU)
The Northerners didn’t waste any time reacting in the afternoon, dominating 9-5. Rouen’s pitcher, Zacharie Gonzalez, took the loss after allowing 6 walks and 5 earned runs in just 2.2 innings. Valenciennes capitalized, led by a Jérémy Lamour (1B) in fine form: 4 hits in 4 at-bats and 2 RBIs. Judah Wollenburg (DH) and Masaharu Hamada (2B) each added 2 hits and 1 RBI to the collective effort.
For the Vipers’ rotation, the work was well done. Hugo Senecal (P) pitched 4 solid innings (1 unearned run allowed, 4 strikeouts), leaving the win to Bastien Tremble (P) who secured the bullpen with 3 innings (2 ER). Rouen’s offense was completely shut down, managing only 3 poor hits in the entire game (by Theophile Danne (1B), Garris Iches (DH/P), and Simon Papoin (RF/LF)).
MONTIGNY COUGARS vs ERMONT EXPOS
Montigny continues its march forward. The Cougars swept the Ermont Expos, showing their superiority both offensively and defensively.
Game 1: Ermont’s defensive disaster (MON 12 – 9 ERM)
Ermont literally sabotaged their own game. Starting pitcher Amaury Heidrich (P) pitched the entire game (7.0 IP) and allowed 12 runs… but only 2 were earned (2 ER)! The defense collapsed on all fronts: errors by Baptiste Frugier (3B), Erwan Prieur (RF), Jorel Jamal Tenguia Kamdem (SS), and Heidrich (P) himself. Montigny hit hard: Lazaro Jesus Sanchez Del Sol (RF) drove in 4 runs on 2 hits, while Kiyoshi Grisot Garbacz (LF) and Valentin De Carrois (3B/SS) added productive doubles. Montigny’s starting pitcher, Ricky Jon Deeble (P), was perfect: 3.0 innings, 0 hits, 0 runs, and 5 strikeouts. However, the bullpen leaked with Lucas Frattini (6 ER in 1.1 IP), forcing Victor Polo (P) to step in to secure the win. Thomas Messager (DH) and Erwan Prieur (RF) tried to spark a revolt for Ermont (1 RBI each), in vain.
Game 2: Complete lockdown (ERM 1 – 3 MON)
For the second act, Montigny brought out the barbed wire. A surgical 3-1 victory built on elite pitching. Montigny’s starting pitcher, Wyatt Nouhaud (P), was exceptional, earning the win with 5 immaculate innings: 0 runs allowed, just 1 hit, and 7 strikeouts. To ensure Ermont didn’t breathe, the manager brought in their ace, Ricky Jon Deeble (P), who was already perfect in the morning, to close the door. Result? 2 innings, 0 runs, 4 strikeouts, and a save in his pocket. Ermont’s offense was annihilated, managing just 1 hit in the entire game, courtesy of Thomas Messager (SS) who drove in the only run for his team. Teruaki Kogure (P) took the loss for Ermont despite a courageous performance (4.0 IP, 2 ER). Montigny, very consistent at the plate with 10 hits, saw Wilmer Antonio Pino Centeno (DH), Lazaro Jesus Sanchez Del Sol (1B), Kiyoshi Grisot Garbacz (LF), and Hector Velasquez (SS) each hit twice.
CLERMONT-FERRAND ARVERNES vs MONTPELLIER 2 BARRACUDAS
The Arvernes, stuck in a negative spiral since the start of the season, showed a conquering side to sweep the Montpellier reserve team.
Game 1: Gen Taguchi, the all-around player (MTP 4 – 10 CLF)
Against Montpellier’s reserve team, the Arvernes dominated 10-4. Gen Taguchi (P/DH) was the absolute hero. On the mound, he earned the win with 6 innings pitched, 1 earned run allowed, and 9 strikeouts. At the plate, he was brilliant: 2 hits in 4 at-bats, a double, and 3 RBIs. Caio Rainho Montero (3B) shone with 2 hits in 3 at-bats, as did Shunya Kawakami (CF). Montpellier was in turmoil. Noah Masson (P) took the loss after allowing 6 earned runs in 4 innings. The bullpen collapsed: Emilio Diaz Mendez (P) allowed 2 runs without recording an out, and Raphaël Gouttefangeas (P) gave up 2 more. Only Rafael Antonio Moreno Gonzalez (3B) could drive in a run for Hérault.
Game 2: Clermont’s bench depth makes the difference (CLF 8 – 6 MTP)
In the afternoon, Clermont confirmed their dominance with an 8-6 win, completing the sweep. If starting pitcher Nathan Mirand (P) had some turbulence (4.1 IP, 5 ER), the Clermont bullpen held firm. Valentin Pujol (P/LF/3B) earned the win in relief (1.2 IP, 1 ER), and the inevitable Caio Rainho Montero came in to lock down the 7th inning for the save. What stands out in this second game is Clermont’s incredible offensive depth. Everyone chipped in: Caio Rainho Montero (C/P), Valentin Pujol (LF/P/3B), Jeremy Blasiole (1B), Sébastien Grimaud (3B/2B), and Quentin Heidelberger (RF) all hit 2 singles! A true machine gun that wore down Montpellier’s pitchers. Corentin Deleau (P) took the loss for the Barracudas (3.1 IP, 6 ER). Montpellier’s offense showed their teeth, led by an excellent Elvis Briceño (SS) (3 hits), and solid performances by Noah Masson (LF) (2 hits, 1 RBI) and Léo Hindermeyer (2B) (2 hits). But the Arvernes’ collective firepower was simply too strong this Sunday.
THE WEEKEND’S VERDICT: CERTAINTIES ARE SHAKEN
This Sunday, May 31, 2026, redrew the hierarchy. While Montigny confirms its status as a cold and implacable machine with another sweep, Metz’s loss to Meyzieu-Décines proves that no one is safe in this demanding season. Defensive errors cost entire games (Ermont, Bréal), and bullpen management is more than ever the nerve of war. The championship is completely relunched, and the next round promises to be electric.
Matteo Van Parys
Photo Credit: RS FFBS
