D2: Metz joins Nice at the top

The Division 2 schedule took advantage of this mid-July weekend to make up for postponed games. Dedicated exclusively to rescheduled matches canceled during the recent heatwave, this lighter matchday offered a reduced program, but with high stakes for both the top and bottom of the standings.

Metz Cometz vs Ermont Expos

The doubleheader between the Metz Cometz and the Ermont Expos delivered wild and sometimes cruel scenarios. The Lorrain side showed exceptional endurance and ruthlessness to sweep the Paris-region team, who continue to tragically sink in the standings. GAME 1 (MET 16 – 4 ERM) The final score hides a much more nuanced reality: this game was a real tug-of-war for five innings. The Ermont Expos thought they had pulled off an upset thanks to the heroic performance of their starter Yondeily QUIROZ ADAMES. In sweltering heat, he struck out 11 batters in 5.0 innings. But baseball rarely forgives inaccuracies, and Ermont’s defense collapsed catastrophically with 5 errors, including 2 by Rodney PALMERO O’FARRIL (2B/RF). The turning point came in a sixth inning that was apocalyptic for the Expos. Exhausted, the pitching staff fell apart: called in relief, Thomas MESSAGER had a nightmare, giving up a flood of 10 runs (only 2 earned) on 6 hits in just one inning. Metz’s offense, led by an unstoppable Yeixon RUIZ (SS) who went 4-for-5, feasted. Axel HANSCH (C) also punished the opposition’s generosity with 3 RBIs. On the mound for Metz, while starter Silas BOUSSERT was slightly shaky (4 ER, 6 walks in 3.0 innings), the excellent Jessel Abrahan SOTO ARELLANO put out any rebellion. In 3.0 perfect innings, he allowed no hits or runs, striking out 6 batters to secure the win.

GAME 2 (MET 10 – 7 ERM) The Expos’ pride was on full display in this second makeup game. Stung by their earlier loss, they attacked Metz’s starter, Elliot TEN EYCK, crossing the plate four times in the first inning. The mastermind behind this revolt was Jorel Jamal TENGUIA KAMDEM (2B/SS), who blasted a home run out of the park, finishing the game with a massive 5 RBIs. Yet, the Lorrain machine never stalled. Responding in kind, Metz flexed their muscles with home runs by Yeixon RUIZ (SS) and Simon HANSCH (1B). The latter heavily influenced the game with 3 RBIs. Under constant pressure, Ermont’s starter Amaury HEIDRICH finally buckled, giving up 10 runs (7 earned) on 9 hits in 5.0 innings, taking the loss. And to seal the game’s fate, the Metz manager pulled out his ace: Jessel Abrahan SOTO ARELLANO. Called in to secure the lead, he was even more terrifying than in the morning. In 2.0 perfect innings, he struck out 5 batters without allowing a single hit, earning his second win of the day. A true monster of control and velocity who literally disgusted the opposing batters.

Breal Black Panthers vs Meyzieu-Decine Cards

The other makeup game of the weekend took us to Brittany for the lone match between Bréal-sous-Montfort and Meyzieu-Décines. It was a rough affair, dominated by pitchers but marred by significant technical errors from both sides. GAME (BRE 2 – 4 MDC) At Bréal, the crowd witnessed a tense chess match where every mistake was costly. The victory was built on the mound for the Cards, with a very strong start from Antony CUVILLON. Used for 5.1 innings, he perfectly managed the traffic on the bases, allowing only 3 hits and 2 runs (only 1 earned) while striking out 7 batters. He earns a precious win. The offensive standout was Amaury BELLEFIN (1B). The Meyzieu player went 2-for-4, scored 2 runs, drove in 2 RBIs, and treated himself to a home run. For the Breton side, Louka RENAUDIN delivered a very respectable performance, holding the opposition to 2 ER on 6 hits in 5.0 innings. But he takes a cruel loss, largely due to his own defense’s mistakes. The Black Panthers committed 3 defensive errors, shared between Guillaume JACQUES (C), Esteban VIDAL (RF), and Nathan ROBIN (2B). The Cards weren’t blameless, with 3 errors of their own, including two by Xavier PRISSE (SS) alone. Ultimately, it was the inevitable Martin LAVERGNE who played the role of firefighter, securing a clinical save with 1.2 innings pitched and 0 runs allowed to lock down this lone game.

ANALYSIS OF THE STANDINGS:

This makeup weekend dramatically reshapes the top of the Division 2 standings. By playing these postponed games, teams reset their records. The key takeaway is the fantastic operation pulled off by the Metz Cometz. By sweeping the Expos, the Lorrain team now boasts a 15-3 record with a .833 winning percentage. This double win allows them to join the Nice Cavigal (15-3, .833) as co-leaders of the championship. The once seemingly unshakable Nice supremacy is now officially challenged and mathematically erased. Metz takes the highly coveted first place. Behind this untouchable duo, the Montigny-le-Bretonneux Cougars watch from a distance with a solid 12-6 record (.667). The Meyzieu-Décines Cards, thanks to their short but precious win on Breton soil in their makeup game, firmly consolidate their fourth place and give themselves a nice lead over their pursuers with 11 wins and 7 losses (.611). Meanwhile, the Black Panthers find themselves with a perfectly balanced 9-9 record (.500), just ahead of the Clermont-Ferrand Arvernes (8-10, .444). Finally, at the bottom of the standings, it’s a nightmare for the Ermont Expos. Unable to capitalize on their good starts, weighed down by a fragile defense and a lack of depth on the mound once their starters are exhausted, the Paris-region side sinks further. With a meager 4-14 record (.222), they occupy the tenth and last place in the championship alone. They are preceded by the Montpellier 2 Barracudas and the Valenciennes Vipères (5-13, .278). The regular season is now over.

The playoffs will begin at the end of August. Four teams will compete for promotion to Division 1. At the bottom of the standings, Ermont is in danger of relegation to Division 3, pending the promotion of the Division 3 champion, who is not yet known. The winners of the four pools will also face off starting next August 29th.

Matteo Van Parys

Photo Credit: Frédéric Launay/Cometz