Illustrative photo for the article: Cézar Del Rio Romero of the Gambas d’Anglet bats .600.
Above: slide into base for Meyzieu vs Clermont.
The first ‘shuffling’ is over for the 16 teams split into 4 pools. This weekend marks the final matchday of the first classification round.
‘Stay together!’ (it can’t make everyone smile… the ‘ref’ is quite old).
In Group A, Thiais and Rouen are still neck and neck. Can the Templiers still make it through?
The two temporary leaders are fighting for the top spot. A tie at Thiais on May 22nd allowed the Tigers (7-3) to stay one game ahead of Rouen’s reserve team (6-4). The Rouennais (avg .247, ERA 8.05), who hosted Sénart’s reserve team (6-4) this weekend… It’s going to be complicated for the Normandy side, heavily defeated by the Temple twice in the first round 11-0 and 15-0 (victories for Brelle and Lods). Sénart 2 (ERA 4.26) bats .322…
The PUC (1-7), in turn, hosts Thiais on the clay of Pershing. The Tigers (avg .282) face the PUC 2 (ERA 11.60)…
Above: Benjamin Zoia of the Templiers de Sénart (D1 and D2).
Group B – Ronchin and Valenciennes
Same story with Valenciennes (7-3) and Montigny (2-8). The Cougars didn’t see the Vipers coming (in Valenciennes) and were bitten twice 10-0 and 22-1! No-hitter by Vocceli (W) and another win for Deplanque. They’ll have to rebalance things at Stade Jean Maréchal, but it’s going to be tough for the least consistent attack in D2 (avg .203) against the best attack in the division (avg .402)…
In the Nord department, a duel for honor between the Dragons de Ronchin (7-3) and the Korvers de Dunkerque (4-6). In the first round, both teams secured a win each with a 0-14 and a 6-2. Ronchin bats a solid .300. The Korvers hit .214. A pitchers’ duel?
Above: Edouard Descamps, Ronchin Dragons.
Dunkerque wants to finish in style!
Group C – the Gambas pull away. Will the Boucaniers stay second?
The Boucaniers 2 (5-5) host the Panthères noires de Bréal (4-6). Two defeats for the Boucaniers in the first round… Watch out, the Boucaniers are quite strong at home, batting .260, but Bréal bats .312!
In the Bordeaux region, the Gambas d’Anglet (8-2) pay a short visit to the Raiders (3-7). Notably, the only two losses by the Gambas were secured by the Rochelaise… It’s going to be hot for Eysines (avg .230) against the second-best attack in the championship (avg .345).
Group D – the Arvernes again and the runner-up, Béziers.
Between Béziers (5-5) and Montpellier (3-7), there’s going to be trouble. On May 1st, the Biterrois only managed a tie at Veyrassi. This time, the second team of the Barracudas will have to return the favor if they don’t want to fall too far behind.
In the first round, Meyzieu (3-7) suffered in Auvergne, always on May 1st… The Cards only scored 2 runs (normal, the Clermontois (9-1) have the best ERA: 1.80) while they conceded 14 to the Arvernes’ attack (avg .262)…
Above: one of the defensive versions of the Arvernes de Clermont-Ferrand.
We seem to have the standings for the first period, even if surprises can still happen. The goal until next Sunday is to rank as high as possible and consolidate your chances in the final standings. To recall, only the first and second in each group will advance to the playoffs.
Come on, batter!
Vincent Picard
