Samuel MUERANT tossed a complete game three-hitter and France overcame a lackluster offensive showing to claim a 4-2 win over Russia on Saturday.
The 34 year-old Frenchman turned in a sparkling performance retiring the final 19 batters he faced while striking out 10. With the exception of the third inning, MEURANT outclassed the Russians.
France also struggled at the plate and managed just a single hit off Vasiliev VIACHESLAV in five innings. But the 22 year-old Russian had trouble finding the strike zone and walked six hitters. Four of those free passes later crossed home plate to doom Russia’s fate.
Russia outhit France 3-2 and scored their only runs in the third inning when Alexander VASILIEV tripled home teammates Maxim YUDAEV and Alexander NIZOV. But the spotlight belonged to MEURANT.
The French hurler sat down the Russians 1-2-3 the final six innings and retired the side in order in all but two frames. Joris BERT scored twice and Kenji HAGIWARA and Gaspard FESSY each crossed home plate once for France.
France (1-0) will clash with Italy (1-0) on Sunday while Russia (0-1) will test a Great Britain (1-0) squad that upset tournament host Spain on Friday night.