Softball: Canadian imports catch breath

Maraenui Pumas Canadian catcher Chad Keating scores on a sacrifice fly as Fast Pitch catcher Te Rangi Chadwick awaits the throw during Pumas 7-3 loss on Saturday. Photo / Warren Buckland

Maraenui Pumas softball import Chad Keating responded to a tough introduction to Hawke's Bay's premier men's competition in style on Saturday.

Despite arriving in the country on Friday after 30 hours of flying, including layovers from Saskatoon with fellow Pumas import, pitcher Alex Fehr, and attending the Ngati Kahungunu Sports Awards function in Hastings on Friday night, regular second baseman Keating played catcher for all six innings of Pumas 7-3 loss to Fast Pitch at Akina Park, Hastings.

Keating, 21, who played Junior A ball in Canada until last year, collected two hits from three turns at bat off Fast Pitch hurler Kane Herbert. Keating hit third baseman Tiwana Aranui and second baseman Tutonga Waaka-Kawana home to give Pumas a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third.

He then scored the final run of the game on a sacrifice fly.

"I don't mind what position I play as long as I get to play but I am more of a second baseman," Keating said afterwards.

Like Fehr, 20, Keating, intends to get as much quality ball as possible while based in the Bay until April.

In his 16th year of softball, Keating, pointed out New Zealand's world champion Black Sox are well respected in his home country.

"I haven't seen the Black Sox play but I have heard of Brad Rona. Everyone talks about him back home," Keating said of the North Harbour star who has been in the Black Sox since 2000.

Errors proved costly for Pumas particularly in the top of the sixth when Fast Pitch scored six of their runs. Fast Pitch catcher Te Rangi Chadwick smashed an automatic home run with his first turn at bat.

Considering Fehr's build-up to the game and the fact it was his first taste of pitching off a mat (pitchers in Canada have dirt mounds) Fehr was reasonably economical and mixed up his pitching well.

Despite being outhit 6-1, defending champions Saints beat Dodgers 6-3 in the other clash. Saints shortstop Jesse Little hit an automatic home run over the right outfield fence on diamond one with player-coach and designated player Brian Dellow on base.

Second baseman Luke Herrick smashed an automatic homer over the centre outfield fence for Dodgers.

Dellow was thrilled with the defensive work of his troops which included rotation of his pitchers James Ngawhika and Tamihana Hokianga who had four and two innings respectively.

"We worked hard on our defence during the pre-season and it worked pretty good," Dellow said. "We were always in front until Dodgers tied the score at 3-all in the bottom of the third and then we pulled away again."

He was impressed with the work of his teenage right outfielder Dallas Brown did on his premier debut.