Maraenui Pumas Softball Club stalwart Tama Houkamau has labelled Rakai Henare "Junior Black Sox material."
"I have no doubt Rakai will make the Junior Black Sox team within the next four years if he sticks with the game. He's got all the attributes and a great attitude. However he may opt for rugby in the future as I believe he is the man at that game too," Houkamau said last night as 14-year-old Henare's latest exploits were relayed to him.
Four days after gaining tournament team selection at the North Island under-15 boys tournament in Wellington where he hit two home runs, Henare, smashed another homer as the Hawke's Bay under-17 boys team opened their national tournament in Palmerston North yesterday with a 6-4 loss to Wellington and 9-7 win against Otago.
The centre outfielder hit an automatic home run in the fourth inning of their match against Otago with catcher Reihana Wilkie on base. As the score indicates it was an entertaining match which saw the Waka Wilkie-coached Hawke's Bay team recover from 4-2 and 7-5 deficits.
"We've got a talented team here and it was trust in each other and trust in our systems which got us the win against Otago," coach Wilkie said.