D2: Metz Join Nice at the Top

The Division 2 schedule caught up on its postponed matches this mid-July weekend. Dedicated solely to rescheduling games 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 double header 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 match was a real tug-of-war for five innings. The Ermont Expos thought they had their 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 in total, 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, allowing a flood of 10 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits in just one inning. Metz’s offense, led by an unstoppable Yeixon RUIZ (SS) with 4 hits in 5 at-bats, feasted. Axel HANSCH (C) also punished the opposition’s generosity with 3 RBIs. On the Lorrain mound, while starter Silas BOUSSERT showed some nerves (4 ER, 6 walks in 3.0 innings), the excellent Jessel Abrahan SOTO ARELLANO extinguished 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 surge in this second makeup game was stunning. Stung by their first loss, they attacked Metz’s starter, Elliot TEN EYCK, crossing the plate 4 times in the first inning. The mastermind behind this revolt was Jorel Jamal TENGUIA KAMDEM (2B/SS), who sent the ball out of the park for a resounding home run, finishing the game with a massive total of 5 RBIs. Yet, the Lorrain machine never stalled. Responding in kind, Metz’s lineup flexed their muscles with home runs by Yeixon RUIZ (SS) and Simon HANSCH (1B). The latter heavily weighed on the game with 3 RBIs. Under constant pressure, Ermont’s starter Amaury HEIDRICH finally buckled, allowing 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 again: 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 sickened 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’s field, 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 solid start from Antony CUVILLON. Used for 5.1 innings, he perfectly managed the traffic on the bases, allowing only 3 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) while striking out 7 batters. He earns a precious win. The standout player on offense was Amaury BELLEFIN (1B). The Meyzieu player hit 2 singles, scored 2 runs, drove in 2 runs, and treated himself to a home run. For the Breton side, Louka RENAUDIN delivered a perfectly respectable performance, holding 5.0 innings and allowing only 2 ER on 6 H. But he inherits a cruel loss, largely due to the generosity of his own defense. The Black Panthers committed 3 defensive errors, split between Guillaume JACQUES (C), Esteban VIDAL (RF), and Nathan ROBIN (2B). The Cards were no better with 3 errors of their own, including two by Xavier PRISSE (SS) alone. It was ultimately 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 match.

ANALYSIS OF THE STANDINGS: 

This makeup weekend dramatically reshapes the top of the Division 2 table. By playing these postponed matches, teams reset their clocks. The main lesson from these games 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 victory allows them to join the Nice Cavigal (15-3, .833) exactly as co-leaders of the championship. The once-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 victory on Breton soil in their makeup game, firmly consolidate their fourth place and give themselves a nice lead over their pursuers with 11 wins for 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 table, 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 total of 4 wins for 14 losses (.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.

It’s time for the playoffs, which will start at the end of August. Four teams will share the promotion to Division 1. At the bottom of the table, Ermont is relegated to Division 3, subject to the promotion of the Division 3 champion not yet known at this time. The winners of the four pools will also meet starting next August 29.

Matteo Van Parys

Photo Credit: Frédéric Launay/Cometz