Stade Toulousain – Paris UC 0-2, 8-7
Recap by Jeff Stoeckel, Paris UC
The Pucistes of Paris Universite Club split the doubleheader with the Toulouse Tigers 1-1 on Sunday on a sunny day in Toulouse. In the first game, Paris UC capitalized on a perfect defensive performance to win by a score of 2-0, and in the second game, the Pucistes lost a close game by the score of 8-7.
In game 1, Paris UC starting pitcher W. Musson pitched a 9-inning shutout, with the Tigers of Toulouse only recording 2 hits during the game. Behind Musson, Paris UC played phenomenal defense led by shortstop B. Dubaut who continued to make big plays when Paris UC needed him the most. Offensively, Paris UC capitalized on aggressive base running to take the lead in the 6th inning when, with two outs, Musson and C. Mesguich pulled off a perfect double steal to take the lead. Musson incited a throw from Toulouse Catcher T. Lakmeche and Mesguich avoided the return throw from Toulouse shortstop E. Garcia by “hook sliding” past the Toulouse catcher for the first run of the game. After, Paris UC added a run in the 8th inning when P.-M. D’Abunto came home on a fielder’s choice by F. Mouchet. Offensively, Paris UC was led by D’Abunto who went 2-3 with a double and a run scored.
In game 2, Paris UC started the game with an outstanding debut pitching performance from starter N. Dubaut, who threw 4.1 innings while giving up only 2 earned runs and 1 walk. This was Dubaut‘s first official series with the team, and he is expected to be a major contributor to the team for the duration of the season. In relief, Mouchet proved to be effective yet again this week, pitching 3 strong innings and yielding a lone earned run. However, offense was the name of the game in the second meeting as Paris UC recorded 13 hits in the second game, and Toulouse matched their offensive production with an output of 12 hits themselves. The game came down to the wire in the ninth inning, when O. Saavedra had a chance to extend the game into extra innings with 2 outs and P.-M. D’Abunto on third base, but Saavedra failed to bring D’Abunto home and struck out to end the game. Paris UC was very effective on offense with 5 players recording multiple hits during the game. Mouchet led the Pucistes with 3 hits and 2 runs scored, while Rodriguez and B. Dubaut recorded 2 hits and 2 rbi’s each.
Here is what Paris UC Head Coach Jeff Stoeckel had to say about the games: “Today was the first day that I thought our team competed for all 18 innings of the games. Playing two 9-inning games in one day is a very challenging task mentally and physically for our players, and I believe that we played with intensity for the duration of the day. We had an outstanding pitching performance from Musson in the first game, backed by some spectacular defense from our infield and outfield, and it is difficult to lose when you play great defense. In the second game, we found ourselves in a hole after one bad inning, but we responded with two outs in the 6th inning to get back on top 7-6. From there, it was a dog fight, and we just happened to end up on the losing side of the fight. I was very proud of our players today, and on a different day, I believe we would have walked away with 2 wins. My team is playing hard, and I’m excited to get on the field again.”
Paris UC will travel to Montpellier this week to face the Barracudas.
Pessac Panthers – Rouen Huskies 2-1, 0-6
The promoted Pessac Panthers stunned the reigning French Champion Rouen Huskies with a split in the French Elite League. In game one L. Mangle scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh on a RBI single by Defontaine. Rouen had tied the game in the top of the same frame on a RBI single by O. Combes. P. Briones (W 3-0) struck out ten in eight strong innings for the win. He allowed one unearned run on four hits and a walk. J. Crystal (L 1-1) issued two hits, a run and a bb in five innings. He struck out eight. A. Roy had gotten the start, giving up two hits, an unearned run and two bb in three frames.
In the second match K.Perez (W 3-2, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO) and A. Piquet (4 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, SO) combined to lead the Huskies to a 6-0 shutout. B. Marche went 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI. J. Crystal scored twice. V. Lebelle had two RBI. G. Gisbert (L 1-1) surrendered seven hits, four runs (3 ER) and two bb in seven innings.
Templiers Senart – Montigny Cougars 9-0, 9-0
The Montigny Cougars forfeit both games against the Templiers Senart this weekend, leaving their opponents with two 9-0 victories.
Savigny Lions versus Montpellier Barracudas was postponed due to rain and will be made up on July 31.
Box scores and Stats on the Website of the French Baseball and Softball Federation
{mrb-standing:france-2011}