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By TREVOR ROWSE
CLOSE CALL: Howick senior men’s team catcher Hayden Wildbore looks to tag-out a Roosters batter sliding in at home base. Times photo Wayne Martin.• Howick and Pakuranga Times
A CLASSY softball victory was followed by a loss as Howick’s senior men’s batters showed their skills and the side’s youthful potential last Saturday.
Although North Harbour side Roosters managed nine runs at Meadowland Reserve, Howick’s 13 hits ensured a comprehensive 17-9 win as every player managed at least one safe hit, with Rhys Mau and Todd Wilson leading the way with home runs.
Hayden Wildbore, Troy Pirie and Yoshi Suzuki had two hits each with youngster Josh Miller hitting a triple and gaining a walk. Wilson also hit a two-base shot to show the way to the less experienced players.
Allowing batters to walk gave Roosters too many chances, giving the losers five runs.
The joy of the win for Howick faded later on Saturday against Auckland Fastpitch Championship leaders Waitakere Bears, with the Bears attacking right from the start, scoring three in the first turn at bat and seven in the second inning to go on to an 11-2 victory.
Howick’s batters lost their composure, despite valiant efforts from Pirie, who maintained his recent form with another two hits, including a three-base shot. Wilson also managed another hit with Simon Edwards gaining the side’s fourth.
Edwards and Mau shared the pitching duties.
Howick travels to Glenora this Saturday for a game that should be an easier assignment.
Meanwhile, Howick’s senior women’s team had a stirring battle against Hibiscus Coast last Sunday, taking the game all the way only to lose 9-8, with Louise Mullin poised on third base when the last batter went out.
Both sides struggled for hits despite the high score, but Coast’s batters had longer shots. Mullin, Breanna Gibson and Heidi Leathart showed patience and batting skills for Howick.
However, deflated after the loss, they had to face the powerful Bears right after.
It was a one-way match, with Bears pitchers allowing no hits and just three well-separated walks to Howick in their 12-0 win. There were 12 Bears hits against Howick’s three pitchers.
This Saturday, the Howick senior women’s team travels to Otahuhu’s Sturges Park to play the strong local side there and will have to start in style to have a chance. Otahuhu lost its unbeaten record to the Bears in a 9-0 loss last Sunday.
Auckland Fastpitch Softball Championships
Senior men’s points: Waitakere Bears 16 (8 games), United 14 (7), Ramblers 10 (7), Eden Roskill 8 (7), Marist 8 (7), Northcote 6 (6), Hibiscus Coast 4 (6), Howick 4 (7), Glenora Bears 2 (7), Roosters 2 (9).
Senior women’s points: Ramblers 14 (7 games), Otahuhu 14 (8), Waitakere Bears 14 (9), Marist 10 (9), Hibiscus 6 (8), Western Magpies 6 (9), Howick 4 (9), Metro 0 (9).