This weekend saw the semi-finals of the French Women’s Softball First Division Championship, a best-of-three series.
Evry-Courcouronnes hosted Grenoble, while Clapiers took on Saint-Raphael at the latter’s home field.
The defending champion Comanches of St Raphael, playing at home, secured their ticket for their 15th consecutive final (with 13 wins) in two games, 11-4 and 12-9.
The Rabbits, behind their pitchers, Eidy Tortolero, couldn’t contain the highly motivated Raphaeloises after their up-and-down season. The Comanches’ offense spoke loud with 23 hits in 12 innings played.
The Comanches’ coaches, after the relief of these two wins, think this is due to the very successful European Cup the team had. Christophe Mérigout: It allowed the team to find themselves and build a collective dynamic that’s a joy to watch. It’s all positive for the finals in October.
In Evry, it took three games for the Pharaonnes to overcome the Grizzlys.
Despite winning the first match on Saturday 7-4, Grenoble couldn’t hold on and lost 6-4 and 8-7 on Sunday.
Tight and intense games for these two teams who fought until the last inning of the final match.
Grenoble was down by a run in the middle of the 7th. But Evry wasn’t done yet.
With a lead-off single to the shortstop, they managed to tie the game and then, on a sacrifice fly by Manon Mari, took the lead to secure their spot in the final.
That’s the beauty of the sport, a game isn’t over until the umpire calls ‘Game over’.
The Pharaonnes of Evry-Courcouronnes and the Comanches of Saint-Raphael will face off in the final on October 15th and 16th in Evry.
Raina Hunter
