By SHANE HURNDELL
Mario Herbert Saints coach Paul Woon was saluting two of his “young guns” after his team’s 5-4 win against Hawke’s Bay premier men’s softball competition leaders Fast Pitch last night.
“I started them for two reasons … they deserved it and a couple of our older players needed a wake-up call. Nothing got past the pair and I was rapt with them,” said Woon referring to second baseman Devontae Roberts, 14, and first baseman Mace Price, 16.
“Our whole team played well. Defensively we were a lot better and our attack was solid,” said Woon.
Pitcher Tamihana Hokianga hit Roberts’ father and third baseman Paul Roberts home for the winning run during Saints final turn at bat.
Saints short stop Bryan Dellow was unlucky to have two attempts at automatic home runs caught on the fence by Fast Pitch outfielders Rongo Rapaea and Cameron Willis.
It was Saints first “on diamond” win against Fast Pitch this season after their previous one was a default after their match was called off following an all-in brawl.
“It was a good game. We just couldn’t string hits together and left lots of runners on base,” said Fast Pitch captain Mario Herbert.
Last night’s other upset at Akina Park, Hastings, saw Dodgers beat Pumas 5-0 with all five of Dodgers runs scored in a tie-breaker inning after the score was nil-all at the end of the regulation seven innings.
Dodgers took four hits off Pumas Canadian pitcher Bryn Redhead, while Pumas managed just one off Dodgers veteran Manaaki Mita.
Josh Gettins, Fabian Mitchell, Ray Karauria, Piripi Te Nahu and William Makea all scored for Dodgers.
Saturday’s semifinals in the pre-Christmas competition will see Fast Pitch play Dodgers and Pumas take on Saints. The final will be played immediately after the semifinals.