South Africa defeats France in friendly baseball series
The series was played in Boksburg, Durban and Cape Town and was sanctioned by WBSC. It was the first step of a cooperation protocol signed by Federation Presidents Seminet (France) and Moreau during WBSC Extra Ordinary Congress in Gaborone, Botswana
World number 26 South Africa defeated, 5 games to 2, World number 24 France in a friendly seven-game series played in Boksburg, Durban and Cape Town, South Africa. The series was sanctioned by WBSC.
South Africa got off a brilliant start, winning the first two games.
In game 1 the hosts outscored France, 24-13, thanks to an impressive 14-run sixth at bat.
South Africa won, 14-8, a game 2 that was highlighted by a combined five homer runs.
France tied the series in Durban.
Leonel Céspedes starred for France in game 3, either at bat and as a reliever, and led his side to an 11-9 win.
Jonathan Mottay pitched six solid innings, while Maxime Lefevre led France offense and scored the go ahead run in a 5-4 French victory in game 4.
South Africa won the final three games in Durbanville Ballpark, Cape Town.
Robert Lewis Walker went six innings, while Brandon Bouillon and Jonathan Phillips led South Africa offense to a 7-1 win in game 5. France scored their only run on a solo homer by Frédéric Hanvi in the ninth.
South Africa got early leads and outscored France in the final two games of the series. Jonathan Elario worked with a nine-run lead and pitched six innings as South Africa won game six 13-1.
South Africa scored four to lead off rubber match and didn’t need to look back, cruising to an 11-4 win.
South Africa celebrates the win in game 7 (Glenn Gervot-also author of the cover picture)
“Our baseball National Teams share some common history,” explained French Baseball and Softball Federation (FFBS) President Didier Seminet through an e-mail “France qualified for the first time for the IBAF World Cup in 1994 winning a series against South Africa in Paris.”
Seminet agreed on playing games between the two National Teams with Marc Moreau, the President of the South African Baseball Union (SABU), during WBSC Extra Ordinary Congress, that took place in Gaborone, Botswana, in October 2017.
France and South Africa will compete again next year during the France International Baseball Tournament-Yoshida Challenge.
“Yoshio Yoshida was our National Team manager in 1994 and was named an Honorary Member of FFBS in 2011,” added Seminet “he will be in attendance. The tournament will serve as preparation to the European Championship and will also serve as a celebration of the strong ties between France, South Africa and Japan. A team representing the Japan Amateur Baseball Association (JABA) will also participate in the tournament.”
