The Rouen Huskies has strengthened its team for the upcoming season. Anthony Piquet and Mathieu Brau will leave the La Guerche Hawks to join the reigning French champion. Both clubs reached an agreement over a transfer. Especially Piquet was heavily pursued in the last couple of weeks. The Savigny Lions also were interested in the right-hander.
Piquet had a 6-7 record with an ERA of 3.39 in 13 starts for La Guerche last season. He struck out 78 batters in 98 1/3 innings, while walking 24. He also batted .344 (OBP .535/SLG .375) with 13 runs scored and 17 RBI in 64 at bats through 23 games. Brau had a .283 batting average (OBP .437/SLG .380) with one homerun, a triple, four doubles, 20 runs scored and twelve RBI in 26 games. He also had a 5.00 ERA in nine relief innings.
After finishing in fifth place in 2009, the Hawks will not play in one of the top two divisions in French Baseball due to a player shortage. Piquet and Brau now get a chance to play for a club, which will represent France in the European Cup tournaments this year. The Huskies will play in Brno, Czech Republic against Fortitudo Bologna, AVG Draci Brno, Heidenheim Heidekoepfe, Konica Minolta Pioniers and CB Sant Boi.
Photo: © Jean-Pascal Furet, www.baseballpics.free.fr