Every Monday during the 2024 season, a roundup of results from various baseball, softball, and baseball5 matches will kick off your week. In-depth analysis articles will follow, competition by competition, to complement this first edition. This weekly article will focus solely on team results, surprises, and expectations.
Baseball Division 1
On opening day, eight matches took place with four teams hosting: Toulouse, Montpellier, Rouen, and Montigny. All eight games were played. After this first matchday, Rouen and La Rochelle lead the standings, while Sénart and Montigny bring up the rear.
The surprises
The Boucaniers won both of their away games against Montigny, the 2023 French vice-champions and Challenge de France winners. The Couguars must have been stunned by this double home defeat, especially since they retained a similar team core to 2023.
Metz split their away series against 2023 French champions Montpellier. The first game must have also rattled the Barracudas, who managed to bounce back in the second match. Clearly, Metz has raised their game and will be a dark horse to watch.
The expected results
Rouen found their stride and swept Sénart at home. The latter, made up of young players, need more competition, but the Huskies’ recruitment and new dynamics worked in their favor.
Savigny and Toulouse also split their series in Toulouse. This result is normal and came in close scores, showing both teams are well-prepared.
Baseball Division 2
Second matchday of this championship, all teams are now in the thick of the competition.
The surprises
Valenciennes benefited from the pool draw and started strong against Meyzieu. They both asserted their dominance against Bréal and Anglet, respectively.
Clermont, however, conceded a game to Eysines, who solidified their place in Division 2, much like La Guerche, who also managed to split their series with Thiais.
The expected results
Le PUC and Nice, both relegated from Division 1, still have the tools to defend themselves and aim for promotion. Le PUC secured two wins against Rouen 2, and Nice split their series with the 2023 champions, the Pirates de Béziers.
The other teams shared the results: Ronchin, Sénart, Thiais.
Women’s Softball Division 1
Second matchday of the championship, the super league has spaced out the time since the first matchday, which took place three weeks ago.
The surprises
Saint Raphael split their series with Evry in tightly contested matches.
Pessac managed to split their series against the Grizzlys, who were stunned in the first match but admirably bounced back, nearly reversing the first game’s score.
The expected results
Clapiers Jacou secured two expected wins against Nice.
