French D1 playoffs : The Best Teams Reach the Final

The established order prevailed in the semi-finals of the French Division 1 Championship. The regular-season leaders, the Savigny Lions (20-8), and the second-placed Rouen Huskies (19-9) qualified for the final, which will begin next Saturday in Rouen.

It was far from easy for Savigny, who had to wait until the eighth inning of the deciding game before finally overcoming a tenacious Montpellier Barracudas team.

Game 1 was controlled by Savigny, largely because of a very difficult outing for Montpellier ace Alejandro Ramirez. In 5.1 innings, he issued seven walks, allowed four hits and was also called for two balks at crucial moments. Nevertheless, Savigny led only 1-0 after the first four innings before gradually pulling away to secure a 5-0 victory, helped by another fine performance from Ivan Acuna, who went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI.

Starting pitcher Adrian Pena (9-2, 1.56 ERA during the regular season) gave Montpellier’s powerful offense no chance. Over eight innings, he allowed only three hits and two walks while recording eight strikeouts.

Montpellier responded immediately in Game 2. After two innings, the score was already 9-0. Savigny fought hard to come back but ultimately fell short, losing 11-7. Pierre Doat (2-for-4, one double, one triple and three RBIs) and Patrick Farina (3-for-5, one double and one RBI) led the offense, while 20-year-old starting pitcher Quentin Lesfargues earned his first victory in his playoff debut, pitching six innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out six.

A Decisive Eighth Inning

The deciding game was much more closely contested. Everything started well for Montpellier, who led 3-0 after their first two turns at bat, taking advantage of several Savigny defensive errors. However, Savigny answered with a four-run rally, highlighted by Maxime Grosjean-Gardaix’s bases-loaded double.

The score remained unchanged until the sixth inning. With two outs, Everts Orzoco, who had entered in relief in the third inning, loaded the bases and then hit Pierre Doat with a pitch to tie the game. An infield single by Maël Zan then gave Montpellier a 5-4 lead. Another RBI single by Zan made it 6-4 in the eighth inning.

That was when the Lions chose to wake up against starter Jesus Delgado, who was beginning to tire after throwing more than 120 pitches. The first three batters reached base before a sacrifice fly cut the deficit to 6-5. An error by the second baseman on a potential double-play ground ball then allowed Savigny to tie the game. With two outs, Nunez delivered the decisive single.

Savigny took an 8-6 lead, and Pena came out of the bullpen in the ninth inning to finish the job.

The Hitters, Then the Pitchers

In Rouen, Game 1 belonged to the hitters, who combined for 25 hits, including four home runs. The La Rochelle Boucaniers struck first, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning, but Rouen answered with a three-run rally. The same pattern followed in the second inning: one run for La Rochelle and two for Rouen.

The game was decided in the fifth inning. La Rochelle catcher Osuke Hashimoto hit a home run to bring his team within one run, but Rouen responded ruthlessly with a four-run rally, including a two-run triple by Martin Vissac. The Huskies added two more runs in the sixth inning.

Rouen eventually won 13-7, with outstanding performances from Kento Megumi (2-for-4, two home runs and three RBIs), Ryosuke Nishikawa (3-for-4, one RBI) and Hugo Blondel (4-for-5, one double and two RBIs).

While the hitters enjoyed themselves in Game 1, the pitchers took control in Game 2. La Rochelle opened the scoring in the fourth inning when Tristan Laufenbuchler hit a triple that brought José Pena home. Once again, Rouen responded immediately, as Kento Megumi singled to drive in Louis Gerberon.

The Huskies made the difference in the eighth inning through their leading run producer of the season, Oscar Lebouc, whose hit brought Hugo Blondel home. That was enough for starting pitcher Thibault Mercadier, who threw a complete game, allowing just one earned run and recording 12 strikeouts.

Savigny and Rouen will face each other in the final for the seventh time in their history. Rouen won all six previous finals between the two teams. The Huskies will be seeking their 20th championship title, while Savigny will attempt to lift a trophy that has eluded them since 2004.