The Final Is Here

Logic prevailed. As often happens when the big moments arrive, the championship ultimately crowned the two teams that most consistently set the tone throughout the season. The Comanches and the Pharaonnes now face off to claim the French D1 title. A matchup that feels like a foregone conclusion, given how these two teams have dominated for months, but also a clash promising far more than just a duel between the top two teams in the standings.

Unbeaten, Unstoppable, Untouched

On one side stand the Comanches, a team that has haunted countless pitchers in this championship. The numbers are sometimes so staggering they seem unreal. Just look at Pauline Prade’s season to understand why so many opponents have struggled. With a batting average of .684, 39 hits in just 57 official at-bats, 50 runs scored, and an OPS of 1.785, she turned every plate appearance into a nightmare for opposing defenses. But what makes the Comanches so dangerous isn’t just the presence of a superstar—it’s the depth of the entire lineup.

Marjorie Brunel batted .544 with an OPS of 1.302. Inès Haudiquer posted a .534 average with 31 hits, 32 runs scored, and an OPS of 1.448. Lisa Vieira compiled a .531 average with 26 hits and 22 RBIs. Chiara Enrione-Thorrand finished at .423 with an OPS over 1.000, while Elsa Munier produced 18 runs with a .370 average. Even Youna Péan, who saw less playing time than some of her teammates, batted .481. Few teams in France can boast so many players capable of turning a game on their own.

What stands out most about this offense is its ability to vary its approach effectively. The Comanches don’t rely solely on power. They know how to put the ball in play, run, ratchet up the pressure, and force errors. Pauline Prade alone stole 28 bases, while Inès Haudiquer added 11.

22 matches, 22 wins—the black-and-white Comanches are on the verge of a perfect season.

The North Strikes Back

After two consecutive finals losses, the Évry Pharaonnes are determined to reclaim their crown!

And they have no reason to feel intimidated. While the Comanches’ offensive stats grab immediate attention, the Pharaonnes tell an equally compelling story—just less flashy, but just as effective.

Ambre Brouard had an outstanding season with a .547 average, 35 hits, and 24 RBIs. Jade Aubard Cojan batted .563 when in the lineup. Emma Liminier racked up 25 hits and 22 RBIs. Rosalie Coste hit three home runs and eight doubles, while Lila d’Hauteville combined high averages, power, and production with 18 RBIs and an OPS of 1.286. Océane Lecourt Milliet, with her three triples and a .438 average, adds another dimension to the Île-de-France offense.

Again, the danger comes from everywhere. Several players sport OPS figures over 1.100, and the team seems capable of alternating between long offensive stretches and more opportunistic bursts. While the Comanches may appear slightly more dominant at the top of their lineup, the Pharaonnes make up for it with remarkable consistency.

A Tale of Ace and Fire

Yet this final could hinge on one critical area: pitching.

And that’s where the balance of power might shift most dramatically.

If the Comanches had entered this series with their full pitching staff, they would likely have had the championship’s most feared weapon. But the absence of Prapeng De Ridder changes everything. Her stats are still mind-blowing: seven wins, zero losses, a 0.18 ERA, just one earned run allowed in nearly 40 innings, and a .131 batting average against her. She also struck out 50 batters with a WHIP of 0.71. Few pitchers have dominated their craft this season like she did.

Her absence leaves the Comanches without a huge advantage.

Responsibilities will need to be redistributed. Marjorie Brunel has the tools to step up, with a 1.80 ERA and a .156 batting average against her. Farah Saidi won five games with a 3.15 ERA. Elise Buvat accumulated four wins and 32 strikeouts. The group remains strong—many teams would dream of such depth—but replacing a pitcher who dominated the stats is incredibly difficult.

The Pharaonnes could capitalize on this situation. They likely have the most complete pitching staff among the two finalists. Rosalie Coste carried the workload with seven wins, six complete games, and 50 innings pitched. Her 3.08 ERA speaks to her consistency. But what about the return of Eidy Carolina Tortolero Monagas? With a 0.74 ERA and just 12 hits allowed in 19 innings, she’s a formidable weapon for high-stakes games.

A final often hinges on players who can elevate their game when the pressure peaks. The Pharaonnes appear to have multiple credible options in their bullpen. That depth could let them adjust their strategy based on the opponent and circumstances.

Our Blades Are Sharp

Then there’s defense—a sector often overlooked in analysis but frequently decisive when offenses cancel each other out.

The Comanches have shown some vulnerabilities this season, and Colombes nearly exploited them in the first semifinal game. Key players have made errors; nothing alarming over a full season, but enough to remind us this team wins by outscoring opponents.

In contrast, the Pharaonnes appear to have a rock-solid defense. Léonie Pauthe fielded at a remarkable .974 clip over 114 defensive chances. Elsa Lepinay posted a .989 mark with just one error in 88 chances. Sirena Salazar, Emma Liminier, and Rosalie Coste also provide strong guarantees. This collective strength could prove crucial if the final turns into a tight battle where every unearned run makes a difference.

It’s fascinating to see how these two teams seem to mirror each other almost perfectly.

While the Comanches likely have the highest offensive ceiling, the Pharaonnes appear more complete in pitching and defense. The Comanches have multiple players capable of igniting a game in just a few at-bats. The Pharaonnes seem built to prevent exactly that kind of offensive explosion.

Mhysa Morghulis. All Queens Must Fall. Except One.

The stage is set. Two kingdoms, one throne. The Comanches built their campaign on devastating hits, imposing their tempo and power on much of the league. The Pharaonnes advanced differently—with patience, discipline, and composure—backed by a team capable of handling any situation. All season long, each team asserted dominance in D1, pushing back challengers and stacking the arguments for a finals berth. Now the moment has come to settle the score once and for all.

The beauty of this matchup lies in what it represents. Beyond the title, this series pits two of France’s top softball teams against each other, two squads that carried their ambitions high all year and refused to let up at any point. They’ve weathered successes, doubts, injuries, fatigue, and pressure to reach this exact moment in the season. A moment where everything simplifies. No more standings, no regular season, no cumulative stats or past performances—just winning three games before the other team.

For a few hours, months of work, training, travel, and sacrifice will be distilled into a handful of innings. A few well-executed pitches, a hit finding a gap in the defense, a perfectly timed relay, or a bold decision at the right moment could be all it takes to decide an entire season. That’s the cruelty of finals. That’s also what makes them so captivating.

Saturday, October 3: Game 1 at 4:00 PM

Sunday, October 4: Game 2 at 11:00 AM

Saturday, October 10: Game 3 at 4:00 PM

Sunday, October 11: Game 4 (if necessary) at 11:00 AM

Sunday, October 11: Game 5 (if necessary) at 1:30 PM

Sébastien Dondé.

Photo credits: Clubs’ official sources