Softball: Second national title for Houkamau

The Napier Girls' High School softball team won their national tournament in Tauranga last week. Photo/Thinkstock

Hawke's Bay's Junior White Sox softball team utility Emma Houkamau won her second national title within a fortnight on Friday.

Twelve days after helping her Dodgers team win the national women's interclub title in North Harbour Houkamau, 17, led her Napier Girls' High School team to title honours at the North Island tournament in Tauranga.

NGHS beat Green Bay High School of Auckland 9-6 in their final after beating Wanganui High School 12-2 in their semifinal the previous day.

Green Bay High School was the only team to beat NGHS during the four-day tournament and pipped the champions 10-9 in one of their six round robin games.

"It was awesome to bring the title back to Hawke's Bay for the second consecutive year as Hastings Girls won it last year.

"At the same time it was an emotional win as I'm one of five players in the team who will be leaving school at the end of the year," Houkamau said.

A Hawke's Bay under-19 and under-17 representative earlier in the season, Houkamau, is also a White Sox training squad member. Her father and NGHS head coach Tama Houkamau was thrilled with the title as four of his squad were playing at this level for the first time.

His first string pitcher Maria Mudd will be eligible for this tournament for another two years.

"All 12 players exceeded expectations.

"I couldn't have asked for more," coach Houkamau said.

Hawke's Bay's representatives in the boys section, Hastings Boys' High School, were unbeaten in seven games before their final which they lost 5-0 to St Peters College of Auckland. St Peters were coached by multiple world champion Eddie Kohlhase.

HBHS beat St Peters 4-0 earlier in the tournament but coach Paul Woon said errors and the failure to produce hits at crucial times proved costly in the final.

His team's rendition of popular Ngati Kahungunu haka Tika Tonu, an acknowledgement of the NGHS side's success, was a highlight of the tournament's prizegiving.

Members of the NGHS side were: Emma Houkamau, Bridge Cudby, Maria Mudd, Keeta Chapman-Smith, Charlotte Greatbatch, Tui Kohunui, Taylor Pomare, Trixie-Lee Grey, Tiffany Baker, Nikita Mitchell, Cassie Owens, Natnaree Cha-Um.