While other team sports are wrapping up their seasons as summer begins, baseball/softball is three-quarters of the way through its own. Division 1 and 2 baseball and men’s softball are on the schedule this weekend.
Men’s Softball
The penultimate matchday before the playoffs. The teams from Rouen and Clappiers are set to face off four times to match the others’ total of 20 games. In the standings, it’s first place (Clappiers) against last place (Rouen). There’s still one postponed match between Rouen and Pessac to determine the final playoff spots. Clappiers must win at least three against Rouen to secure first place at the expense of the Montpellier Barracudas, who can only wait their turn.
Division 2 Baseball
11th matchday, six doubleheaders on the schedule
In Pool A, three teams are tied for first place: Sénart, Valenciennes, and Rouen. Sénart and Valenciennes can pull ahead if they win both of their games, leaving Rouen behind.
In Pool B, Béziers and Clermont are still neck and neck. Like their counterparts, these two teams can pull away with two wins each, against Meyzieu and Eysines respectively, playing at home.
At the bottom of the table, the stakes are high for La Rochelle and Dunkerque, who can climb out of the cellar with two wins to gain some breathing room.
Division 1 Baseball
11th matchday. Only four remain before the playoffs. The two leaders of each pool—Toulouse for Pool A and Montpellier for Pool B—are resting on this matchday. This is the perfect opportunity for the second- and third-place teams in each pool to close the gap.
Rouen hosts Montigny. The Huskies are coming off a disastrous European Cup and a crushing, frustrating loss in the French Challenge. Morale is low, and doubt is rampant in the dugout. They’ve already had trouble with Montigny, who are riding high after their French Challenge victory. They’ve just taken two wins against the pool leader, Stade Toulousain. A split between the two teams would allow Toulouse to stay atop the standings.
Editor’s prediction: split decision.
Paris hosts the La Rochelle Buccaneers. This is the rematch from last weekend’s game (recap of the 11 a.m. match at the top of the article), where the Buccaneers dominated a solid PUC team that just lacks consistency in pitching and batting. The Buccaneers are confident and, if they can field a strong lineup, should be able to pick up two more wins.
Editor’s prediction: two wins for La Rochelle
Sénart hosts Metz. All previous meetings have favored the Templiers. They’re in fine form this year and will surely be tough to beat at home. The Cometz are looking for a win against a top team. Maybe this weekend is their chance!
Editor’s prediction: two wins for Sénart
Finally, Savigny travels to Nice. The latter still haven’t managed to win a single game all season. They’ll be facing the strong Lions, who are riding high after a strong Confederations Cup, where they finished as runners-up.
Editor’s prediction: two wins for Savigny
As for broadcasts, in Division 2: Valenciennes vs. Ronchin, and in Division 1: Sénart vs. Metz, Rouen vs. Montigny. We’ll provide links to all four games on Baseball TV France.
