PVI Dons USA Baseball Uniforms to Defeat the French

It’s not every game that Paul VI Catholic School’s varsity baseball team breaks their opening game huddle by shouting “U-S-A!” But that’s exactly what they did Wednesday in their 10-1 victory over the Languedoc-Roussillon Baseball Academy of France in front of their home crowd.

The game was the second of a double header for the Panthers, who defeated Bishop Ireton 13-2 earlier in the day.

It was also the second year PVI played Languedoc in an exhibition game. The French highschoolers come to the DC area and get the chance to play American teams, and view a Major League baseball game as well.

The Panthers wore Team USA baseball hats and uniforms in the game.

“It's fun, it’s USA versus France, we play their anthem and have their flag and then play our anthem it’s a great experience for both teams,” said head coach Billy Emerson after the game.

It was also a culturally fulfilling moment for the crowd to hear the French players shouting out encouragement and communicating to each other in French on the field, the way American kids would normally talk in English.

Sophomore pitcher Joeseph Salzano picked up the victory for PVI, and junior Tyler Alger gave them some good moments in relief pitching.

Sophomore outfielder Lucas Martinez also had a great game, starting their scoring onslaught off with a homerun in the bottom of the first inning and another three run homer in the third.

 “We’ve got a good group. We’ve won 14 out of 21 games so far, so we’re in good shape being that it is close to the playoffs now,” said Emerson.

The Panthers' spring break week features an MLB-like schedule, as they play seven games in six days.

“I think if we can get through this I think we can get through anything, it’s a good test for us,” said Emerson.