The Pharaonnes d’Évry-Courcouronnes claimed the French Division 1 Women’s Softball Championship on October 10, 2026, sweeping the final series against the Comanches de Saint-Raphaël with three straight victories. The sweep secured a domestic and European double for the Essonne club, coming less than two months after they captured the European Cup B title, actu.fr reported.
Championship Sweep Over Saint-Raphaël Seals the Domestic Double
The decisive victory in the third game capped a demanding postseason run for the squad, founded in 1984 in the Pyramides district of Évry. Head coach Sophat Chum noted the intense pressure the team faced before the final out was called by the chief umpire, acknowledging that his players maintained their resilience through tough stretches to claim the title.
Club leader Aurélie Bacelon expressed pride in the achievement, noting that it matched the club’s previous double-winning season in 2022. The organisation has long prioritized youth development, a strategy that allowed both veterans and younger prospects to contribute meaningfully from March through October.
Youth Pipeline Prepares for Roster Changes Ahead of European Steps
Stability within the roster served as a pillar for the championship run, with every player rallying around a shared team objective. Even younger athletes with limited playing time embraced their roles throughout the campaign.
As the club looks toward the next season, leadership anticipates departures from two experienced Division 1 players. Those roster openings will create immediate opportunities for rising talent, including Elsa Lepinay, Jade Lippert, and Lila D’Hauteville. The three players earned selections to represent France in Baseball Five at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Broad Regional Success Across Essonne Baseball and Softball
The Division 1 softball title crowned an exceptional year across multiple divisions for the Évry club. The organization’s second women’s team captured the Île-de-France regional championship, matching the title runs produced by the club’s men’s softball and baseball squads.
This organizational sweep coincided with a broader regional triumph for the sport in Essonne. The Lions de Savigny claimed the French baseball national championship in September, cementing the department as a core hub for French baseball and softball development.
Targeting European Advancement in 2027
For the upcoming season, the Pharaonnes plan to defend their national Division 1 crown, contend for the Challenge de France tournament, and break new ground in European Cup A. Bacelon acknowledged the steep competitive gap in the top European tier, where French amateur athletes face rosters composed primarily of professional and semi-professional players.
Securing a middle-of-the-pack finish in European Cup A would mark an unprecedented milestone for a French club side competing at that level.
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