After a two-weekend break for the France Challenge, the weekend is back with matches in Division 1 and 2 baseball and a round in Division 1 men’s softball.
Division 1 Baseball
If we look at the standings so far. Toulouse is leading and Montigny is at the bottom. Toulouse did not perform well in the France Challenge, and Montigny missed out, both falling short in the competition. It was more of a wake-up call for Sénart, Metz, and of course Montpellier, the 2024 champion of this competition.
We are at the sixth matchday of the championship.
The main news after five matchdays of competition is that any team can beat any other. This means we might see a season where matchups are more evenly split than a clear two-win advantage for one team. The second piece of news is that many of the French players from American colleges have joined their respective teams, boosting their pitching and hitting power. Four teams are particularly affected: Sénart, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Metz, with players like Blanc-Jouvan, Paula, Doat, Esposito, Polit, and Blancot.
We can say that a new season in the competition is beginning.
On Saturday, Toulouse will face Metz. The latter are hosting, and after their winning run in the France Challenge, confidence is high on the Cometz benches. Toulouse is less effective away.
Editor’s prediction: Split between the two teams
On Sunday, Montigny hosts the Montpellier Barracudas. It’s likely the Cougars might have a bit more luck on their side. What they’ve lacked since the start of the season and also in the challenge. It’s also likely that pride will start to show, and Montpellier might feel a bit too confident.
Editor’s prediction: Split between the two teams
La Rochelle hosts Sénart. We’ve seen a slight decline in the Buccaneers’ early-season dominance. However, they reached the France Challenge semifinals and lost that semifinal against the Templiers. Sénart, as we’ve seen, is strengthening with Doat and Blanc-Jouvan, and on the Buccaneers’ side, Clément Esteban has shown a slight drop in form (both in the challenge and for the French national team against Germany).
Editor’s prediction: Split between the two teams
Finally, Savigny hosts the Rouen Huskies at their Limeil-Brevannes ground. These are two teams that didn’t succeed in the France Challenge. We can see Ivan Acuna’s men pulling off two strong matches and countering Rouen.
Editor’s prediction: Two wins for Savigny
Only La Rochelle vs. Sénart will be broadcast this weekend on Baseball TV France.
Division 2 Baseball
Valenciennes leads Pool A and Nice leads Pool B. Each of these two teams has the opportunity to further distance themselves in the standings if they don’t split and win both of their matches.
In Pool A, Rouen and Bréal should secure their positions by facing Thiais and La Guerche, respectively, who are two teams at the bottom of the pool.
In Pool B, Béziers and Clermont are in the same situation and should also secure their top positions by facing Eysines and Anglet, respectively.
Unless a struggling team wakes up (which would be more entertaining for us spectators), the standings shouldn’t change much by the seventh matchday of the championship.
Broadcasts in Rouen and Valenciennes (Huskies TV, Vipères TV, and Baseball TV France).
Division 1 Men’s Softball
Round in Montpellier. Playing at home, the Barracudas, first in the standings, are favorites to continue their dominance. It’s true that the presence of one of the Venezuelan national team’s star pitchers, Victor Guedez, greatly helps them to secure at least one win. Toulouse is resting during this round. This is Nice’s chance to try to catch up with the leader. The round takes place over two days.
Saturday, May 25th:
- 12 PM: Montpellier Barracudas vs. Nice Cavigal Eagles,
- 2 PM: Nice Cavigal Eagles vs. Pessac Panthers,
- 4 PM: Pessac Panthers vs. Montpellier Barracudas
Sunday, May 26th:
- 10 AM: Pessac Panthers vs. Nice Cavigal Eagles
- 12 PM: Montpellier Barracudas vs. Pessac Panthers
- 2 PM: Nice Cavigal Eagles vs. Montpellier Barracudas
