09/12/2010
Sportal
New Zealand’s Black Sox opened their international Test series in Australia with a 3-1 win over Argentina on Wednesday but went down to a heavy 9-2 loss to Australia Gold.
Australia hit two runs in each of the first and third innings. Shaun Jamieson was pitching as firstly Michael Tanner made a triple to right centrefield and then Nick Shailes hit a home run.
A catcher’s error allowed Pat Shannon to get home after he had been sent to first after being struck by an Andrew Kirkpatrick pitch. He made second on a wild pitch and then stole third.
Tanner then increased New Zealand’s misery with a centrefield homer at the top of the third inning which was followed by Nick Shailes making second on a left field hit. Zenon Winters backed that up with a double-base hit which allowed Shailes to score.
Jamieson was relieved of duties by Thomas Cameron but the fifth inning turned in a five-run nightmare as Kirkpatrick, Nathan Jones, Tanner, Winters, Shailes got home on a combination of New Zealand errors.
Brad Rona got one back when getting home on a fielder’s error.
Things had gone better earlier when Heinie Shannon shut down the Argentinian side when allowing only three hits and one run, a home run at the bottom of the fifth inning.
In other first day results, Australia Gold beat Australia Green 6-0 and Australia Green beat Argentina 6-2.
New Zealand captain Rhys Casley had four hits from as many innings while Ben Enoka, Brad Rona and Wayne Laulu drove in New Zealand’s three runs.