STUGGART, Germany — After graduating from
Williams in June, Robin Allemand decided to take a trip to
Europe.
His trip, however, likely differed from most of his fellow
post-graduates.
Allemand, a former NESCAC Rookie of the Year, earned a spot on the
2010 France National Team and has helped the French go 3-1 to date
at the 2010 European Championships being held around Germany this
month. France has moved within one game of qualifying for the World
Championships in Cuba in 2011.
“Playing for Team France has been an incredible
experience,” Allemand said. “Most of the team has
played together since they were kids, so jumping in with such a
cohesive group is hard, sometimes. They have been quite welcoming
to the rookies, however. Plus, I knew most of the guys from last
year, so being able to reconnect with them has been fun.”
An infielder by trade, Allemand was selected to the France squad
as a back-up third baseman and relief pitcher. Ironically, his
first time on the field at the European Championships was on the
mound when he threw 2 2/3 innings of relief in a 10-1 loss to the
Netherlands.
“I played in a tournament for Team France last year called
the Open de Rouen, which I had heard of through a family
friend,” Allemand said. “Because I played well last
year, the manager Sylvain Virey invited me for the same tournament
this year to try to make the team for the European Championships.
“I only got a couple starts at 3B and hit okay (1 for 5,
RBI), but because we were lacking in relief pitching, the manager
had me throw a bullpen session to see what I could do. He
liked the way I threw, and he took me as the back-up 3B and relief
pitcher. To my surprise, I got to throw against the Netherlands in
the first game of the (European Championships), and I had an
absolute blast doing it.”
After defeating Belgium this morning, 8-3 (Allemand did not play),
France stands at 3-1 in Pool A. They play Germany tonight having
already advanced into the second round of the tournament. The top
three teams in each pool advance.
Allemand is excited about the progress the team has made on the
field since it first got together.
“On the field, we have incredible coaches in John Haar and
Jeff Zeilstra, who expect only the best from us,” Allemand
said. “They have made us a much better team since we first
got together in Rouen.”
In 2007, Allemand was named the NESCAC Co-Rookie of the Year after
batting .378 for the Ephs during his freshman campaign. At the
conclusion of his junior season, Allemand earned 2nd Team ESPN the
Magazine District I Academic Team honors.
You can follow the 2010 European Championships on Wikipedia
HERE.
