Southam shines in Steelers victory against the USA
1 March 2013
The Australian Open Men’s team, the Aussie Steelers opened their World Championship title defence in Auckland, New Zealand tonight with a convincing victory against the USA 6 runs to nil. The Championship is held at Rosedale Park, Auckland from 1-10 March 2013 and the Aussie Steelers are the defending World Champions. This was the first of seven round games that the Aussie Steelers will play before moving into the elimination rounds and the team, lead by Head Coach, Bob Harrow was keen on a postiive note against the Americans.
In a calculated display by the Aussie Steelers, the USA team were never allowed in the game. Adam Folkard (ACT) as expected, dominated on the pitching plate, while Joel Southam (NSW) returned to international competition after a six year hiatus in stunning form. The Aussie Steelers collected seven hits for the game for their six runs. Southam collected two hits and scored three runners for Australia. Nick Shailes (Qld) collected two hits, along with Andrew Havercroft (WA) and TIm Crome (ACT) who collected one hit each.
The Aussie Steelers opened the scoring in the 2nd innings after some great baserunning by Crome and a Southam single to centrefield. Crome scored on an error by the USA infielder and James Todhunter (NSW) and Michael Tanner (ACT) scored on the Southam hit.
In what could be described as a great display of team hitting, the Aussie Steelers scored again in the 3rd, 4th and 5th innings. There was a number of players that contributed to the team runs, including Jeff Goolagong (ACT), James Todhunter (NSW), Southam, Shailes and Crome.
Adam Folkard struck out 12 USA hitters and only gave up two hits and one base on balls.