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Key Veteran
Location: New Zealand
| The Black Sox are one win away from history and a record third consecutive world championships title.
In a crucial world championships play off game against Canada on Saturday, the Black Sox were too strong for the visitors in a run scoring fest winning the game 13-5 at Smokefree Ballpark.
Once again it was an awesome batting display from the Black Sox as they smashed the best the Canadian pitchers could throw at them for 17 hits all around the park.
A star with the bat was third baseman Brad Rona who smashed two huge automatic home runs over the centre field fence in the fifth and sixth innings.
Others to jump in on the home run party were Thomas Makea and Patrick Shannon.
The automatic from Shannon got the ball rolling for the home side. It came in the top of the second inning with bases loaded, making it a grand slammer and setting the crowd alight.
Also scoring in that inning was Nathan Nukunuku to make it 5-0 to the Black Sox, resulting in Canada's starting pitcher Nick Underhill being taken out of the game.
One further run came for the Black Sox in the third inning with Mark Sorenson scoring on a hit from Patrick Shannon after initially getting on base via a hit pitch.
The strike back from the visitors came in the fourth inning when Colin Abbott picked up a base due to a fielding error and then scored on a triple from Jody Edit. They scored three runs in the inning courtesy of two hits and one hit pitch.
In an attempt to curb the Canadians' hitting starting pitcher Jim Wana was replaced on the mound by Michael Gaiger who came in to take three outs to end the inning.
Along with plenty of run scoring, the inning was marred by two incidents when the dugouts were cleared and there was pushing and shoving between the players. As a result of the incident Canadian pitcher Dean Holoien was ejected from the game and Black Sox pitcher Jim Wana was warned.
The Black Sox struck back with the bat, picking up three runs in the fifth, including two hits off Canada's third pitcher Darren Zack and the automatic to Brad Rona.
There was no stopping the big hitting in this clash of the titans as the pitchers from both sides had nowhere to hide. Canada picked up another two runs in their fifth turn at bat to tighten things up at 9-5.
The Black Sox put the game out of reach in the sixth inning when they hammered another four runs. Thomas Makea led the way with an automatic over the right field fence.
With an eight-run buffer the Black Sox took the necessary three outs in the bottom of the sixth inning to close the game out with the mercy rule invoked.
When questioned about his power hitting after the game double home run hitter Brad Rona downplayed his achievements.
"Everyone is happy when they hit a home run, everyone has their ups and downs and tonight was a good night for me," said Rona.
For victorious coach Don Tricker Saturday was a good night for the team. The Black Sox now take the direct route to the final on Sunday at 3pm while Canada will have to front up for a winner take all match in the major semifinal at midday.
"We were aggressive with the bats and we hit good pitching. The Canadian pitching staff are awesome so I just wanted the guys to move the ball and hit the ball hard. We are not too thrilled about giving up five runs so we are not terribly happy with what happened in the middle," said Tricker.
"Canada is a quality softball side and the thing about Canadians is they are like New Zealanders, they are all about fighting and never giving up."
With victory in the bag and a place booked for the final, Tricker believes the team are ready to deliver.
"The guys know what it is all about, they are here to win a world championship. We haven't won anything yet, we have only won the right to contest for the gold medal," said Tricker.
Source: nzoom
http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_det...3-24-67,00.html |
