Former Hawke's Bay players Aaron Kuru and Jacob Zurcher had contrasting roles as Northcote won the North Island Men's Softball Classic which ended in Hastings yesterday.
Junior Black Sox utility Zurcher, 18, came on as a pinch hitter and got walked in Northcote's 3-0 victory against Johnsonville in the final of the Just Softball-sponsored 10-team tournament at Akina Park. Former Black Sox infielder Kuru, who is better known as a jumps jockey these days, produced some superb defensive work and hit pitcher Pita Rona home for one of Northcote's runs.
Despite his limited role in the final, Zurcher was thrilled with Northcote's weekend which saw them complete an unbeaten run in section play on Saturday and drop just one game yesterday when their final berth had already been secured.
"It was the ideal return home for me and playing for Northcote was the best choice I've made. We'll return to the Bay again next year with the aim of going back-to-back in this event," he said.
A plumber's apprentice in the big smoke, Zurcher, is hoping to crack North Harbour's National Fastpitch Championship team this summer. Northcote's only loss yesterday was an 11-1 defeat against title favourites Poneke Kilbirnie of Wellington who had seven Bay players on their roster.
