It’s underway! This weekend, the D1 women’s softball season kicked off and all teams wanted to start their season in the best possible way. The throne of French champions is coveted and the diamonds of the various fields are ready to be conquered. A first day like a saga: duels, alliances, coups de grâce, and heroines ready to write their legend.
On the fields, the first battles have been fought. Some teams have struck hard from the opening, others have resisted with bravery, but all have shown that this season will not be a walk in the park. Each pitch is a statement, each hit a challenge, each inning a chapter.
The Comanches dominate the double confrontation against the Grizzlys (11–0, 13–6)
The Comanches of Saint-Raphaël have a perfect day, winning both games against the Grizzlys of Grenoble, first 11–0, then 13–6. A double confrontation marked by a fiery attack, solid pitching, and an impressive consistency in all areas of the game
Match 1 (11–0): Saint-Raphaël opens the day with a clear victory, carried by 12 hits and a no-hitter signed by Prapeng De Ridder (4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 SO). In attack, the Comanches hit hard: Ines Haudiquer (2 hits, 3 RBI), Lisa Carmen Vieira (2 hits, 2 RBI, 1 SB), and Pauline Prade (1 hit, 2 RBI, 2 BB) shine.
Grenoble shows discipline at bat with 3 BB and limits the extra bases conceded to a single double.
The Khaleesi of the match: Prapeng De Ridder. 4 innings without a single hit, 3 BB, 3 SO. A sovereign performance that laid the foundations for the day.
Match 2 (13–6): The second match is more offensive, but Saint-Raphaël keeps the upper hand thanks to a very productive lineup (12 hits, 13 points). We note the performances of Lisa Carmen Vieira (4 RBI, including a home run), Raphaella Morius (3 hits, 2 RBI), Marjorie Brunel (3 hits, 1 RBI), and Pauline Prade (2 hits, 3 runs, 1 BB, 2 SB).
Au pitching, Alice Chanal secures the end of the match with 2.1 innings without a point. Grenoble reacts well offensively with 6 runs, thanks in particular to Capucine Meiss (2 hits), Kristyna Korousova (1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB), and Soumiya Bengrine: 2 RBI and a powerful triple
The Khaleesi of the match: Lisa Carmen Vieira. A complete match: home run, 4 RBI, constant presence in attack. She changes the tempo of the match on her own.
The Panthères of Pessac offer themselves the Cavigal of Nice (5–3, 16–0)
The Panthères of Pessac have a perfect day, winning both games against the Cavigal of Nice. A first meeting hung but mastered (5–3), followed by a second match totally one-way (16–0). Pessac relies on a regular attack, solid pitching, and a generally clean defense to impose its rhythm throughout the day.
Match 1 (5–3): The Panthères win in a tight match thanks to 7 hits and effective game management. The determining players for Pessac were Camille Riera (1 hit, 2 RBI), Louise Le Chenadec (2 hits, 1 RBI), and Marion Travers (2 hits, 2 runs).
Au pitching, Laurence Cornaille (4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 SO) then Louise Le Chenadec (4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 SO) lock down the match with seriousness.
Nice shows nice things through Christelle Giret (1 hit, 2 runs), Sandra Dymowiez (1 hit, 1 RBI), and Juliette Peculier (1 RBI and 2 BB). Finally, Amandine Bertrand pitches a solid complete match (8 IP, 7 H, only 2 ER).
The Khaleesi of the match: Camille Riera. She hits at the right time: 1 hit, 2 RBI, and a direct influence on a tight match. The definition of a decisive player.
Match 2 (16–0): the second match quickly turns in favor of the Panthères, who hit 12 hits for 16 points and totally stifle the Cavigal.
The offensive leaders: Camille Riera (3 hits, 3 RBI, a triple), Laurence Cornaille (2 hits, 2 RBI, 1 BB), Isaure Gourgues (2 hits, 2 RBI), Josephine Robishaw (1 hit, 2 RBI), Mailys Ruau (1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 BB), Marion Travers (2 runs scored).
Au pitching, Pessac relies on an impeccable duo: Cornaille (3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 SO) and Le Chenadec (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R)
Nice, despite the heavy defeat, finds some positive points: Anaisie Bugna signs a double, the only extra-base hit for the Cavigal, Emma Ledin provides a clean hit at the end of the match, and Christelle Giret remains disciplined at bat (1 BB, 1 SH).
The Khaleesi of the match: Camille Riera. Again, but this time in offensive fire mode: 3 hits, 3 RBI, 1 triple. A dominant performance that leaves no room for doubt.
The Pharaonnes of Évry-Courcouronnes dominate the Wildcats of Colombes (8–0, 10–9)
The Pharaonnes of Évry-Courcouronnes win both games against the Wildcats of Colombes, first with a clear victory 8–0, then at the end of a much more offensive and disputed return match, concluded 10–9. A day marked by the offensive power of Évry, but also by the nice reaction of Colombes in the second match.
Match 1 (8–0): the Pharaonnes start strong with 8 hits for 8 points, controlling the meeting totally. The most prominent players: Elsa Clara Zoé Lepinay (1 hit, a triple, 3 RBI), Lila D’Hauteville (1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 TB), Ambre Brouard (2 hits, 1 RB).
Au pitching, Rosalie Coste signs an impeccable performance: 4.2 innings, 5 hits, 0 points, 2 BB, 0 SO.
Colombes, despite the defeat, shows some positive points: 5 hits in total, including a double from Estelle Meyer, Garance Viguier and Livia Roeck each obtain a BB, a defense that limits the opponent’s extra bases to three powerful hits.
The Khaleesi of the match: Elsa Clara Zoé Lepinay. A triple, 3 RBI, and an offensive presence that explodes the match. She signs the most impactful performance of the match.
Match 2 (10–9): the second meeting is totally different, offering an offensive duel where the two teams respond blow for blow. Évry-Courcouronnes finally wins 10–9, carried by a fiery attack (12 hits).
The notable performances: Lila D’Hauteville (4 hits, 4 RBI, 2 doubles, 6 TB), Ambre Brouard (1 hit, 2 RBI), Léonie Pauthe (1 hit, 1 RBI, a triple), Sidonie Phlong and Inès El Mouttaqui-Le Guen each add 1 RBI, Rosalie Coste and Lisa Anaïs Papoin each score 2 points.
Au pitching, Océane Lecourt Milliet stabilizes the end of the match: 3.1 innings, 0 hits, 1 point, 5 BB, 4 SO.
Colombes has a much more successful offensive match: 7 hits and 9 points. Micha Labatut realizes 2 hits, 1 RBI, 2 TB, 1 SB. Other notable players: Jenny Durassier (1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 BB), Livia Roeck: 1 hit, 1 RBI) and Garance Viguier (2 RBI and 2 BB). An encouraging collective performance, with 11 BB obtained, a sign of real discipline at bat.
The Khaleesi of the match: Lila D’Hauteville. A monumental match: 4 hits, 4 RBI, 2 doubles, 6 TB. She literally carries the team in a thrilling offensive duel.
In the next episode, the Comanches host the Wildcats, the Pharaonnes visit the Cavigal, and the Grizzlys face the Panthères.
Sébastien Dondé.
Photo credits: social networks of the clubs
