As has been the case since the start of the season, the Challenge de France 2024, which took place in Rouen and Chartres from May 9 to 12, confirmed that the hierarchy of French baseball was in a phase of upheaval. The illustration was the qualification of the Boucaniers de La Rochelle and the Cometz de Metz in the semi-final for the first…
As has been the case since the start of the season, the Challenge de France 2024, which took place in Rouen and Chartres from May 9 to 12, confirmed that the hierarchy of French baseball was in a phase of upheaval. The illustration was the qualification of the Boucaniers de La Rochelle and the Cometz de Metz in the semi-final for the first time in their history. To reach this level of competition, the Rochelais had dismissed Montigny, in difficulty this year (3-2), then Rouen, who played at home (4-1), the last two holders of the trophy.
The Rouen Huskies, who had exercised their supremacy over French baseball for the last ten years, are no longer untouchable, they gave in at the end of the match, notably with a home run from Rochelais Oscar Gonzalez. During the 6th inning, Esteban Briones hit a triple and scored a run by reaching home plate thanks to a sacrifice by Oscar Gonzalez, which validated the good work on the mound by Jefferson Escorcha.
Lack of skill against Metz
The semi-final between La Rochelle and Metz brought together two teams bursting with ambition and eager to strike a big blow. The favor of the forecasts went towards the Rochelais, in particular thanks to the density of their team of “pitchers”, since Clément Esteban had not yet been used. He started the game on the mound, but his throws were hit and the Messins took advantage of the defensive approximations of the Maritimes. They then loaded the bases and took a decisive lead.
The Buccaneers took advantage of the Ascension Bridge to confirm their rise in power
The Bucaniers made a slight start with two points scored following a good strike from Esteban Briones, but the replacement of Clément Esteban by Franklin de La Rosa did not bring the expected reaction (7-2 defeat). In the other semi-final, the Barracudas of Montpellier dominated the Templiers of Sénart (16-3), who will need the next return of several players currently in the United States.
Montpellier winner
The Lorraines therefore qualified for the final during their first participation in the Challenge de France. But the step was too high against Montpellier, the 2023 French champion, who nevertheless lost many players, who experienced a difficult start to the championship, but who easily won the final, with Fabian Kovacs, named best hitter and best player of the tournament (8-2).
In summary, the Bucaniers of La Rochelle took advantage of the Ascension Bridge to confirm their rise to power in the baseball elite. The failure in the semi-final leaves a little taste of unfinished business, but Metz proved that his team could be one of the surprises of the year, as was the case for Toulouse in 2023. “Our results are positive, it illustrates the good work done. This is the first time that the Buccaneers have reached the last four. Unfortunately, it was in the half that we played our worst match of the season,” analyzed La Rochelle manager Pablo Ossandon. Next meeting in the championship for the Rochelais: the reception of Sénart on May 26.
2024-05-12 18:21:11
#Rochelle #manager #Pablo #Ossandon #results #positive
