French Series : Savigny Reach the Summit

The Savigny Lions achieved something that had never happened before in French baseball: they defeated the Rouen Huskies, who had won all 19 finals they had previously played. Savigny thus claimed the seventh title in its history, a crown the Lions had not worn since 2004.

After creating an initial sensation by winning twice in Rouen (1–0, 4–3), the Lions withstood a strong response from the Huskies, who won Game 3 by a score of 10–0, before Savigny came from behind and won Game 4 at the very end, 6–5. Young Venezuelan catcher Moïses Nunez was named MVP after an outstanding performance in the decisive game: 4-for-5, 3 RBIs, and the game-winning hit.

Game 3: Rouen Responds Like Champions

With their backs against the wall, the Huskies showed that they were not going to surrender their title easily. They quickly got the better of Savigny’s starting pitcher, Adrian Pena, who had nevertheless dominated them in the first game.

In the third inning, Nishikawa hit a two-run home run to left field. After the following batter, Blondel tripled, and veteran Joris Bert hit a single to make it 3–0. The Huskies went on to score runs in each of the next four innings, including another two-run home run by Nishikawa in the sixth.

Rouen starter Ryusuke Ito never allowed Savigny to hope. Over seven innings, he gave up just two hits and two walks while striking out nine.

Game 4: The Lions’ Comeback

Coming off their strong offensive performance the previous day, the Huskies started Game 4 at full speed. An error in right field allowed the game’s leadoff hitter, Megumi, to reach base and score the opening run.

A bases-loaded hit-by-pitch made it 2–0 in the second inning. Then, in the fourth, after two outs, Harrison singled to right, Nishikawa hit an RBI triple, and Blondel followed with a two-run home run. At 5–0, Rouen thought it was safe and expected to force a fifth game.

But everything changed in the sixth inning. The Lions’ first two batters, Nunez and Acuna, singled, and an error by the Huskies allowed them to reach scoring position. Amoros’s groundout made it 1–5, Désir’s double cut the deficit to 2–5, and Martin’s single made it 3–5. The final was beginning to swing in Savigny’s favor.

Savigny attacked again in the seventh. With two outs, an error by Nishikawa at third base allowed Grosjean to reach, and he scored on Nunez’s long double to center field.

The ninth inning began with Rouen leading 5–4. Young Bernardi, just 16 years old, led off with a hit. The bases were then loaded after two bunts that were both beautifully laid down and poorly defended by the Huskies.

That was all Nunez needed. He punched a ball through the infield to give his team the title