Softball: Bay utility hits four home runs

Luke Herrick finished the national men's Evergreens softball tournament with four home runs. Photo / File

Utility Luke Herrick's four home runs were an ideal form of consolation for the Hawke's Bay Evergreens men's softball team at the weekend.

Hawke's Bay went into their 16-team Clubs Hastings-sponsored nationals with the aim of maintaining their tradition of winning the event each time it is staged on home turf at Akina Park, Hastings. Hawke's Bay had won the inaugural tournament in 1972 at Akina and the previous tourney at the venue in 2006.

However, the hosts had to settle for sixth place after losing 5-3 to eventual winners Southland in their quarterfinal and 4-3 to Tauranga in their playoff for fifth. Herrick, the "baby" of the team at 38, hit two home runs in Friday's 7-1 win against Waikato, one against Southland and one against Tauranga.

"Luke showed his class all weekend," team spokesman and short stop Stephen Farrell said.

"It was a pity we couldn't maintain the tradition but we had an enormous amount of fun, particularly in our last outing against Tauranga," Farrell recalled.

The oldest player in the team, 60-year-old Grant Julian, and 59-year-old Kevin England, who had their last tournament as "active" players, both had turns at bat against Tauranga.

Pitcher Damian Allan pitched the entire game against Tauranga and did well according to Farrell.

Hawke's Bay led Southland 3-2 in their quarterfinal until a Southland batter hit an automatic home run with two runners on base. Southland, who had the services of former Black Sox pitcher Greg Newton, beat Wellington 10-3 in their final.

In their respective semifinals Southland beat Auckland 7-3 and Wellington beat Wairarapa 5-0.

Hawke's Bay's women's Evergreens team will attempt to improve on last year's second placing when they play at their North Harbour-hosted nationals on March 23 and 24.