Saint-Fred’s Title Defense Hit First Major Hurdle in 12-6 Loss to A’s
The reigning champions of the Ligue de baseball senior de la Montérégie (LBSM), Saint-Fred’s Express de Drummondville, suffered their first loss of the season with a 12-6 defeat to the A’s (3-7) on Friday evening at Parc des A’s in La Prairie. The loss marks a significant setback for the defending league champions, who had entered the game with an undefeated record and high expectations for a repeat title run.
Why This Loss Matters for Saint-Fred’s Playoff Hopes
Saint-Fred’s had dominated the LBSM regular season, clinching the title with a 20-3 record in 2022. However, their 3-7 start to the 2023 campaign—including this loss—has raised concerns among fans and analysts about their ability to maintain the same level of dominance. According to league records, the Express had not lost a game since the final series of the 2022 playoffs, a streak that spanned 38 consecutive games.
The A’s, meanwhile, are one of the strongest teams in the lower division of the LBSM, having won 14 of their first 20 games this season. Their victory over Saint-Fred was their first win against a defending champion since 2020, according to league standings tracked by LBSM official records.
Key Moments: How the A’s Turned the Tide
The game was evenly contested in the early innings, with Saint-Fred leading 3-2 after four frames. However, the A’s mounted a five-run rally in the fifth inning, capitalizing on two errors by Saint-Fred’s infield and a clutch two-run home run by right fielder Marc-André Lavoie (3-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI).
“We saw a lot of good pitching from them early, but their defense just collapsed,” said Saint-Fred head coach Jean-Luc Dubois, who declined to comment further on specific errors. “The A’s took advantage of that, and once they got that run across, it was hard to stop the momentum.”
The turning point came in the seventh inning, when the A’s loaded the bases with no outs and scored two more runs on a wild pitch by Saint-Fred’s closer, pitcher François Morin (1-1, 5.1 IP, 6 ER). Morin, who had allowed just one run in his last 12 appearances, struggled with his control, walking four batters in the final two innings.
Numbers That Explain the Defeat
Here’s how the loss breaks down statistically:
- Saint-Fred’s batting: 6 hits, 2 HR, 5 RBI (down from their season average of 8 hits per game).
- A’s pitching: 2 starters combined for 6.2 innings of 3-run ball, with 11 strikeouts and just 3 walks.
- Defensive misplays: 3 errors (all by infielders), compared to zero errors in their last 15 games.
- Pitching duel: Saint-Fred’s starting pitcher, Julien Bergeron (0-1, 4.0 IP, 6 ER), allowed six runs on eight hits, his worst outing since May.
According to LBSM play-by-play data, this is the first time since 2019 that Saint-Fred has lost by six or more runs.
What This Means for the Standings and Playoffs
The loss drops Saint-Fred to 3-7 on the season, keeping them in first place but now just one game ahead of the second-place team, the Tigers de Sorel-Tracy (3-6). However, the Express still hold a five-game lead over the third-place team, the Wolves de Brossard (3-11).
“They still have a commanding lead, but this loss is a wake-up call,” said LBSM commissioner Pierre-Yves Lambert. “The playoffs start in two weeks, and if they don’t tighten up their defense and pitching, they could face an early exit—especially if the top teams start catching up.”
The A’s, now at 4-7, remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, but their next three games against stronger teams (including a matchup with Saint-Fred on October 15) will determine whether they can sustain this momentum.
Saint-Fred’s Response: Adjustments on Deck
In a post-game press conference, Dubois acknowledged the need for immediate changes:
“We’re going to have to get our infielders back in sync. Those errors cost us the game. And François needs to work on his command—he’s been sharp, but tonight he got too wild.”
Saint-Fred’s next game is a critical rematch against the Tigers de Sorel-Tracy on Sunday at Parc Saint-Fred, where they’ll look to regroup. The Tigers, who won their last two games, are one loss behind Saint-Fred in the standings.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Playoffs
Saint-Fred’s schedule over the next two weeks includes:
- October 7: vs. Wolves de Brossard (home)
- October 9: at Cougars de Longueuil (away)
- October 12: vs. A’s (home)
- October 15: at A’s (away)
The top four teams in the standings will qualify for the playoffs, which begin on October 22. Saint-Fred’s next three games are against teams currently ranked third, fourth, and fifth, meaning they cannot afford another loss if they want to secure their seed.
Fan Reaction: Shock and Determination
On social media, Saint-Fred fans expressed disappointment but remained optimistic:
Meanwhile, A’s fans celebrated their first win over a defending champion in three years:
Key Takeaways
- Defensive collapse: Three errors and poor infield play were the primary reasons for the loss.
- Pitching struggles: Both Saint-Fred’s starting pitcher and closer allowed too many runs.
- A’s momentum: Their first win over a defending champion in years could signal a resurgence.
- Playoff implications: Saint-Fred cannot afford more losses if they want to secure a top seed.
- Next critical matchup: Saint-Fred vs. Tigers de Sorel-Tracy (Oct. 7) will test their resilience.
How to Follow the Story
For real-time updates and analysis:
- Official LBSM Website (standings, schedules, and box scores)
- @LBSM_Officiel (Twitter) for live game alerts
- LBSM Play-by-Play Data for detailed stats
