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[HAWKES BAY, NEW ZEALAND] –
Story by Shane Hurnell
Sport Today would understand if Rayner Te Wake would take things a little easier on the Hawke’s Bay premier men’s softball scene.
But it’s not the Fast Pitch premier men’s player-coach’s style. After 24 years of play at this level the “Big Chap’ (Te Wake’s nickname) is still the man.
Te Wake, 41, batted .1000 with an automatic home run as his troops beat the other previously unbeaten side, Saints, 7-2 at Akina Park, Hastings on Saturday. During his time on the mound he struck out seven of the 18 batters he faced while conceding five hits and one walk.
But don’t be fooled into believing Fast Pitch is a one-man band. It’s obvious Te Wake’s enthusiasm is fueled by the progress being made by the youngsters under his command. Youngsters such as national under-19 champion Cameron Willis. The short stop picked three walks with the bat and on defence took one out.
Former Junior Black Sox utility Te Rangi Chadwick took an out in the centre outfield and collected two hits and a walk with the bat. Te Wake would have been impressed with the rundowns his young infielders produced.
They had to as Saints out hit Fast Pitch 5-3. Saints used two pitchers in the game.
Kevin Papuni struck out two of the 16 batters he faced while conceding five earned runs.
Junior Black Sox utility Jovaan Hanley struck out two of the nine batters he faced while conceding three walks.
Dodgers beat Maraenui Pumas 4-0 in the other premier men’s battle played at Taradale. Short stop Josh Gettins collected two hits from three turns for Dodgers including a three bagger.
Junior Black Sox catcher Campbell Makea and first baseman Joachim Paul also collected two hits from three turns. Napier Boys’ High School’s Dillon Kiwara, in his first premier match since switching from cricket, collected Dodgers other hit.
Former Junior Black Sox pitcher Tamihana Hokianga struck out 11 of the 24 Pumas batters he faced while conceding two walks and two hits.
Pumas pitcher Hau Hunga Hunga did well to restrict Dodgers to eight hits in his second full game of the day on the mound. He has earlier played for the Pumas B side in a 5-2 loss to Taradale.
Considering he is a “master’ this is a mighty feat so early in the season.
The promoted Dodgers Red side beat Taradale 13-3 in the only premier women’s match played.