Between the Softball Super League and the French Baseball Open, French athletes have had a packed schedule. Let’s review the second matchday of the Softball Championship, which took place on April 2nd, and look ahead to the third round on April 16th.
The Cavigal hosted the Comanches, and the scores were decisive in favor of the Raphaeloises, despite a strong start from the Nice side, who scored 3 runs in the first two innings. Once they found their rhythm, the Comanches took the lead with 5 runs and added 8 more to secure a 13-5 victory in 5 innings.
In the second game, young Emma Flayol, U18, couldn’t contain the Comanches’ offense. They hit 10 hits and scored 10 runs in 4 innings.
Notably, two U18 players from Nice scored the team’s 2 runs after hitting twice in the first inning, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. The final score was 10-2 under the mercy rule.
In Clapiers, the southern side hosted the Parisian team BCF. These matchups didn’t reveal much as the teams split their games. 8-1 for the Rabbits in the first game in 6 innings (mercy rule) and 9-5 for the BCF in the second game in 7 innings. The southern side’s offense stepped up behind pitcher Eidy Tortolero, with 9 hits, including an inside-the-park home run by Cathy Beauchef in the third inning.
In the second game, the third inning proved costly for Clapiers-Jacou. The Parisian side capitalized on every opportunity, scoring 9 runs. Their only winning inning of the match. Despite all the changes made by the southern side and the 3 runs scored late in the game, they couldn’t close the gap. A solid performance by the BCF players, who held strong until the final out with their first win of the season, 9-5.
Further north, the Grizzlys traveled to the Pharaonnes, the reigning French champions. The first game was filled with suspense, ending in the 7th inning with a score of 8-7 for Grenoble. There were many powerful hits in this match, with 23 hits, including 4 doubles, 5 triples, and a home run by Lisa Papouin, U18. The Pharaonnes, who led the game, couldn’t retake the lead but fought until the last inning of this thrilling match.
Carrying their momentum, the Évry Courcouronnes players were sharp from the start of the second game, scoring 4 runs and maintaining their intensity until a 21-1 victory in 4 innings. The three pitchers who took the mound for Grenoble couldn’t do much against the 18 hits, including 2 home runs by Nahya Nguyen. The first blowout of the season.
After these games, the Grizzlys, Comanches, and Pharaonnes are tied for first place with 3 wins and 1 loss. The Rabbits are in 4th place with 2 wins and 2 losses.
This weekend, we should have a clearer picture of the standings, especially with matchups where the top three teams host the bottom three.
Raina Hunter
