Recaps: Split in Duel between Rouen and Savigny

Savigny Lions – Rouen Huskies 3-1, 7-8

The LIONS and the HUSKIES met last weekend to battle for the top spot in the French Elite League. In game one SAVIGNY prevailed thanks to a great performance by Pierrick Lemestre on the mound and a three-run third, which was all they needed in a 3-1 win. Steven Huff went three-for-four with two doubles and two RBI. Lemestre pitched eight innings, allowing six hits, one run and four bb. Robin Roy went the distance on ROUEN’s side, taking the loss.

In the second match it went back and forth with the outcome being decided in the last frame. The HUSKIES plated two runs in the ninth opposed to the one by SAVIGNY and won by a final result of 8-7. The teams combined for 31 hits in the game. Christophe Goniot (3 runs), Jerome Rousseau (2 RBI), Vincent Ferreira (2 RBI) and Sebastien Boyer each had three for the LIONS. Luc Piquet and Olivier Israel each went three-for-four for ROUEN. Quentin Becquey picked up the win in relief, escaping the last tough situation with a double play. Thomas Salado took the loss.

Montigny Cougars – Stade Toulousain 5-1, 5-9

MONTIGNY scored five runs in each game against STADE last weekend, but only was able to win one of the two matches at home. In the first part of the twin bill, they received an impressive performance by Sebastien Duchossoy on the mound, who struck out ten going the distance. He gave up just one unearned run on one hit and four bb. He needed 140 pitches to complete the nine innings. Derek Malikian once again had a nice game on the plate. He had three hits, scored twice and drove in one. Maxime Charlot denied the no-hitter with a single.  Joris Navarro got hit with the loss, after allowing nine hits, five runs (3 ER) and four walks in seven innings, striking out seven.

In the second match TOULOUSAIN scored four runs in the ninth to win 9-5. They also had a nice start into the game, scoring three runs in the opening frame for a fast lead. But the COUGARS fought back, putting five runs on the board in the second. But it was the last time they would score on Sunday afternoon. STADE erased the two-run deficit and tied the contest in the seventh, before sealing the victory in the ninth. Edison Garcia Martinez received the win after two scoreless innings of relief; Olivier Berrebi took the loss. Sebastien Morgavi doubled twice and drove in two. Maxime Gigout scored twice for the guests.

Arvernes Clermont-Ferrand – Montpellier Barracudas 6-3

Rain stopped the ARVERNES last weekend to celebrate a sweep against MONTPELLIER. They scored two runs apiece in the fourth and sixth en route to a 6-3 win in game one. Ianis Bouteloup had two hits and drove in three. Yoann Bernard had three hits for CLERMONT-FERRAND. Stevie Barrett scored twice. Ben Pfinsgraff was again dominant, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk in eight innings, striking out twelve. Matthew Blackmore struck out seven in six innings, but also was responsible for six hits, five runs (2 ER) and three bb to take the loss.

In the second game, the ARVERNES already led 5-0, when rain caused an early ending and the postponement.

La Guerche Hawks – Templiers Senart 2-7, 3-1

In the first part of the doubleheader between SENART and LA GUERCHE, last year’s finalist celebrated a 7-2 win, highlighted by an Ernesto Martinez homerun in the fourth and a nice outing by starter Andrew Smith. Anthony Piquet took the loss.

The second match saw a duel between starters Kyle Gruver and Steven Vesque. The American prevailed and the HAWKS won 3-1. Both clubs exchanged runs in the early innings, before LA GUERCHE scored the decisive runs in the fifth on three consecutive hits.

{mrb-standing:france-2009}