The Rouen machine
Relentless… The Huskies’ war machine has been in full swing since the start of the playoffs. With this astonishing ability to turn everything around when needed, to surge as soon as the opponent eases up even for a moment, to strike mercilessly when an opening appears.
Savigny could lead 2-0, and not many would have anything to say. The Lions would likely lead 2-0 against any other team. But to bring the Huskies back down to earth in championship mode, something more is needed. Two principles must be followed: seize every opportunity and don’t give the Rouen team any.
Unfortunately, the opposite happened for the Lions.
Offensively, first of all. In game 1, they had the chance to break the Huskies’ rhythm and take the lead in the 7th inning. Down by one run, bases loaded, one out, and reliever Will Moscato had just walked the first two batters he faced. One pitch later, Axel Amoros hit into a double play that ended the inning and their chances. In game 2, in the 8th inning, Rincon was on second base with one out, but he was caught on Dahan’s line drive caught by Dagneau for another double play, with the score tied at 3-3. Defensively, then. Savigny led 3-1 in the 7th inning of game 2, the Huskies had the bases loaded with two outs, Brainville hit a ground ball to Gonzales but Coste, perhaps hampered by an injury, failed to catch the throw, two runs scored, it was tied. Another error in the 8th opened the door to the Huskies’ four-run surge.
It’s not much, just a few details, a few concentration lapses. But it was enough to tip the scales in the 2022 final.
Savigny did everything to keep their 13-game winning streak alive. In game 1, the Lions jumped on Gomez early to lead 2-0 in the first inning. Throughout the 6.1 innings worked by the Huskies’ left-hander, they kept the pressure on, with runners on base each time, but the decisive hit never came. The Rouen defense held firm, proving very solid behind a pitcher who wasn’t at his best. And the Rouen bats slowly wore down a Gédéon Coste who was less comfortable than against La Rochelle and dealing with his recurring control issues (5 BB in 4.1 innings). It was even a walk with the bases loaded in the 2nd inning that led to the Huskies’ first run. The Huskies tied it in the 4th inning on Vissac’s first of three hits. The Huskies’ 9th batter was at the heart of the victory with 3 for 3, 1 BB, and 3 RBI. Then, in every inning, the Huskies added more runs. Sacrifice flies from Blondel and Brainville, singles from Gleeson and Lefèvre—it was the entire depth of the Rouen lineup that expressed itself in this game 1. There was indeed this alert in the 7th inning, the Lions’ three-run surge against a Gomez running out of gas and a Moscato who had lost his control, but the Rouen team kept the lead and immediately added more runs. Van Steensel, who finally looks like a closer, came in to slam the door shut for the Huskies’ victory. The Huskies, who are not in the habit of winning the first game of a final: 8 wins, 8 losses before Saturday’s meeting. They are even more dangerous and favored for the rest when they do.
In game 2, coach Salado decided to pull a rabbit out of the hat, bringing in the young Venezuelan José Guzman (U23 international), who arrived last week to fill in for the injured Lilian Amoros. A winning gamble for 6 innings. The Huskies were completely dominated by the right-hander, with a very effective fastball, well-mastered movement, and excellent variation in his pitch selection. Kept completely off balance, the Rouen team contented themselves with hitting weak ground balls that posed little problem to the Lions’ defense, when they weren’t striking out (9 Ks for the Lions’ pitcher).
Meanwhile, Savigny picked up where they left off the day before: putting a lot of pressure on the Rouen pitching. Quentin Moulin managed to get out of the first three innings just fine, leaving five runners on base, but he gave way in the 4th, filling the bases with one out, on a double, a walk, and a hit by pitch. Boris Marche didn’t want to see any more and called on his go-to man in these situations, Esteban Prioul. But the tall left-hander from Rouen has had some difficulties in his recent relief appearances. He gave up a single to Ruiz for the first run, a walk to Gonzales for the second run, then, after a second out, Jacques Boucheron did what he’s been doing for over ten years, producing in crucial moments, hitting the game-tying RBI for his team.
Prioul would regroup and shut the door afterward. In the next four innings, he gave up almost nothing (a hit by pitch, a walk) to the Lions. He kept his team in the game, within reach of the opponent, and that would play a very important role later.
Meanwhile, Guzman was rolling, and it wasn’t clear how Rouen would be able to turn things around. The final was heating up, heading for a 1-1 tie and a second weekend hanging in the balance. And then came the 7th inning. The bottom of the Huskies’ lineup, which had been performing all weekend, got going with hits from Bert, Harrison, and Vissac. Gleeson produced the first run on a ground ball to second base, before Coste’s costly error. 3-3, everything was to be done again.
In the 8th, Dagneau was safe on an error, then Blondel hit by a pitch. That was the end for Guzman, and Paredes was called in for relief, as in the semifinals. But things didn’t go as well. The Lions’ pitcher mishandled Lefèvre’s bunt, relaying too late to first base, and the bases were loaded. A walk to the next batter, Bert, gave the Huskies the lead. Savigny could have gotten out of it when Harrison hit into a double play perfectly executed at home plate by Gonzales. Then Vissac hit a line drive caught by Coste. Was that the third out? No, because the umpire called interference on the catcher. The bases were loaded, Gleeson hit a single that cleared the bases (after a slightly slow reaction from the Lions’ defense to bring the ball back into the infield). 7-3, the game was over. Rouen had struck.
Of course, a final is never over until the last out is made. Savigny can invoke the spirits of 2004, when the Lions lost twice at home against the Barracudas before sweeping the return match at Veyrassi. But it will be so hard to accomplish the same feat against Rouen… Savigny can count on the return of Pierre-Emmanuel Planes, who was sorely missed throughout the weekend, just as Zan or Pontiac were missed in Montpellier. It’s also one of the strengths of the Rouen team to rarely find themselves short of personnel when it’s time for decisive games.
Savigny can believe, of course. Maybe Guzman will get the game on Saturday, Paredes on Sunday, and everything will be decided in a fifth match. But Huskies who have their prey don’t let go so easily. Rouen won practically without the bats of Dagneau (1 for 9), Hernandez (2 for 7), or Brainville (2 for 8). If those three get going, it’s hard to see who could stop Rouen from adding a 17th date to the wall where they compile their titles.
François Colombier
Credit Photos : Glenn Gervot
