A torrential downpour hit the Rouen field just seconds after the final out of the semifinal. As if the already unpredictable Normandy skies wanted to drown the Huskies’ sorrow, defeated by a brilliant and tenacious Montpellier team. After the challenge, the European Cup slips away from the Rouen side. Two season goals announced at the start, two failures—the window to avoid another blank year is shrinking for the French champions.
Rouen lost once again due to mistakes on the base paths, like Joris Bert trying to stretch a double into a triple and getting thrown out, or worse, in the final inning, MacKenzie getting caught in a rundown between third and home. In games of this caliber, every little detail counts. Rouen failed to turn these details into success, unlike the Barracudas.
But before diving into Montpellier’s offense, we must praise Ozanich’s performance, who hasn’t seemed this dominant in a long time. Maybe returning to the field of his first successes, facing his former team, gave him an extra adrenaline boost. In any case, he delivered a pitching clinic, choking the Rouen offense and not letting them breathe. The 5th inning was particularly revealing. Ozanich wasn’t at his best in that inning. He lacked a bit of control and went full count on the three batters he faced. Result: three strikeouts. He could have cracked and let runners on base, but he gritted his teeth and shut the door. A top-tier performance. He left for Quinonez in the 8th inning after hitting the first batter. The Barracudas’ reliever was also dominant, despite a minor scare in the 9th inning when MacKenzie managed to beat the throw to first, then reached second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a particularly risky stolen base. But with no further damage, and the Montpellier ace could explode with joy, seemingly taunting the Rouen crowd that strongly supported their team. You can appreciate it or not, but letting emotions speak sometimes can be understood.
Montpellier’s offense gave their pitchers two runs, and that was enough. Two runs scored at crucial moments, with great opportunism. Just as Rouen had taken the lead in the 3rd inning, Montpellier immediately responded. After two quick outs, Flores hit a double on the first pitch, and Bouniol, with the count full, blasted the ball to center field to tie the game. A proud reaction showing Montpellier wouldn’t be easily counted out. The same Bouniol was at the heart of the decisive action in the 7th inning, when it mattered most. He singled to start and advanced to second on a bunt. And what Rouen couldn’t do, Montpellier achieved: a single by Doat gave the Barracudas the lead. And a spot in the final.
The Montpellier players truly celebrated after this thrilling and high-quality match. Let’s just hope they haven’t already played their final, and they can remobilize. Because it won’t be easy to topple the Marlins, who faced no trouble repelling the Belgian side from Deurne’s attacks. A huge challenge awaits Montpellier, who will likely need to raise their game by a notch or two. After proving they currently dominate French baseball, the Barracudas must become the masters of Europe. They have the weapons to pull off the feat. All of French baseball is waiting for it.
François Colombier
Final to follow live at 5 PM on here
Play by play on here
