Feb 8 Christchurch

NZCT Men's Softball World Champs

New Zealand's Black Sox have achieved an historic three-peat at the NZCT
Men's Softball World Champs in Christchurch.

The Black Sox have beaten Canada 9-5 to win their third successive title,
after wins in Michigan in 1996 and East London in 2000.

After two wins on the road, a victory at home was sweet for the defending
champs, and they showed their fans their appreciation of their support by
throwing their shirts to the ground and doing a haka on the diamond.

A fitting farewell too for several veteran players who will be retiring
this season, including Mark Sorenson, Marty Grant, Jim Wana and Jarrad
Martin.

Earlier in the day Canada had sealed their place in the final with a
one-sided 7-nil win over Australia. Despite that loss it was a great day
for Australia, claiming their first medal at a senior men's world
championship in taking the bronze.

Canada made the better start to the final, jumping out to a 3-nil lead in
the top of the first innings. New Zealand's starting pitcher Michael Gaiger
had given up two hits and a walk at that point, and after giving up a walk
to the first batter in the top of the second, he was replaced by Jimmy
Wana, who'd pitched both the shut-out against the US and the previous
night's win against Canada.

The Black Sox had scored one run in the bottom of the 1st innings and then
tied the game up in the bottom of the second when Patrick Shannon hit a two
run homer after Donny Hale had been walked.

That forced a Canadian pitching change with starter Gerard Muizelaar pulled
and Nick Underhill coming in. But the Black Sox bats continued to blaze and
they scored  three more runs in the bottom of the third. Stacey McLean hit
safely, Jarred Martin joined him on base on a high hopper and Mark Sorenson
stepped up with a huge home run over both fences at Smokefree ballpark. It
was a significant moment that signalled the end of a great career. Sorenson
has played at six world championships, winning gold four times and silver
twice.

Canada pulled one run back in the top of the 5th to make it 6-4 when Rob
Grey batted in Jody Eidt who'd been walked. But the Black Sox took it out
to a four run margin again in the bottom of the 5th when Sorenson hit
safely again and scored on an error, and Thomas Makea hit safely and
  scored on a wild pitch. That forced another pitching change, Dean Holoien
coming back from a one game suspension, coming into the game.

But in the bottom of the sixth Dion Nukunuku put the icing on the cake with
a home run over the centrefield fence. After that the Black Sox were always
in control and Canada's late run in the top of the 7th was a mere
consolation.

Sorenson went three for four while Dion Nukunuku went two for four
including a home run and Patrick Shannon went two for four including a home
run.

For Canada Ron Grey had three hits from four at bats while Holoein had two
hits from three plate appearances.


Results:

Australia 0 Canada 7.

Final New Zealand 9 Canada 5


http://www.softball.org.nz/
mailto:snz@softball.org.nz

Kelly Mitchell: SNZ Media Liaison
mailto:kelly.mitchell@xtra.co.nz

Cheers Vance
Softball New Zealand web master.
mailto:snz-webm@ihug.co.nz