Softball: Hanley dominant for Black Sox

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Jovaan Hanley rated the Black Sox Challenge Cup title as better than the second place at the 2015 World Series. PHOTO/FILE

Hawke's Bay softballer Jovaan Hanley ranked the Black Sox TAB Challenge Cup 9-0 final win against Argentina in Auckland yesterday as the highlight of his international career.

"Today was a championship game and we came away with the win. It's better than when we finished second at the World Series in Canada in 2015," Hanley said after the final at AWF Sports Stadium.

"Now the plan is to make the team again for the July World Series so we can improve upon that second placing. I don't consider it a given ... I have to work hard every time to make the team and then it's a coach's decision," Hanley said.

The 26-year-old utility who played in the right outfield and batted at No six in the final left some good footage for Black Sox head coach Mark Sorenson to ponder. Hanley got on base with all three turns at bat, a single, a walk and a sacrifice bunt which saw him advance to second on an overthrow by the Argentine third baseman.

Earlier in the tournament, in which the Kiwis recorded 10 wins and one loss, 2-1 against Japan on Friday night, Hanley proved he is a more than capable pitcher at this level and he hit a home run. However the humble Hanley pointed out there is still room for improvement in his play.

"I've got to be more selective in the box and more aggressive on strikes."

The former Tamatea, Dodgers and Saints club player will have the opportunity to address his work ons when he plays for Wellington at the National Fastpitch Championship in Lower Hutt this week and for his Poneke Kilbirnie club at the national interclubs in Christchurch from March 15-19. An Alto Packaging worker in Hastings, Hanley, is appreciative of the company for the time off he is given to train and play.

As the score suggests the Kiwis dominated yesterday's final. They led 2-0 after the third inning.

In the bottom of the fifth captain Thomas Enoka of Auckland reached first base on an error. The next play featured base running skills at the highest level as Wellington designated player Wayne Laulu drove a ball up the middle advancing Enoka to third. Laulu, not known for his base running finesse, forced his way to second allowing Enoka to seize an opportunity to score.

With a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth the flood gates opened and the Black Sox put the game out of reach accumulating six runs to complete the drubbing. Disciplined hitting and execution on the base paths were features of this inning.

Laulu had the final say with a three-run automatic home run. The Black Sox were spearheaded in the middle by a solid and work like performance by Wellington pitcher Josh Pettett who was named tournament MVP.

Sorenson was impressed with Pettett's contribution.

"Josh started the tournament as a rookie and finished as the leading man."

Meanwhile the New Zealand White Sox team which is coached by Hawke's Bay's Kevin Gettins and includes the Bay's pitcher-catcher combination of Rita Hokianga and Melanie Gettins recorded two wins and five losses at the Down Under tournament in Sydney at the weekend. The White Sox beat the Aussie All Stars 3-2 and 1-0 and lost 8-1 and 11-0 to Japan, 7-0 to the All Stars, and 7-1 and 6-1 to Aussie Spirit.