Softball: Women rule in Hawke's Bay premier men's comp

Emma Houkamau slides into home plate for one of her three runs for Maraenui Pumas on Saturday. Photo / Duncan Brown

Women are taking over Hawke's Bay's premier men's softball competition.

The White Sox pitcher-catcher combination of Rita Hokianga and Melanie Gettins and former US-based infielder Alyssa James are back for a third consecutive season with defending champions Flaxmere in the pre-Christmas segment of the competition, with round two played at Akina Park, Hastings on Saturday.

Former Junior White Sox infielder Emma Houkamau had her second match of the season for Maraenui Pumas and was a key architect of their 8-0 win over Saints.

With a safe hit to centre outfield and two bunts, 21-year-old Houkamau got on-base with all three of her hits. She scored three of Pumas' runs, including two in one inning.

"I was a lot happier today as I was struck out with all three of my turns at bat in our 8-0 win against Fast Pitch last week," Houkamau said.

"I'm enjoying playing in the men's comp as I won't be playing for the Hutt Valley Dodgers women down in Wellington this summer," the catcher and third-base player explained.

A daughter of Pumas co-coach Tama Houkamau, she played for the 2015 Junior White Sox team which finished fifth at the Junior World Series in Oklahoma. A multiple national age-group champion with various Hawke's Bay teams, Houkamau was also a member of the national title-winning Hawke's Bay Dodgers women's team in 2014.

After a stint with Eastern Arizona Junior College in Thatcher ended in 2016, Houkamau played most of her softball in the capital.

"I'm looking forward to playing for the Hawke's Bay women's team this year and our first tournament will be next month," she added referring to the November 3 and 4 Hutt Valley Saints tournament.

Experienced Pumas infielder Karaitiana Aranui said his team is thrilled to have their first woman player.

"Emma has been there and done that and we all respond to what she has to offer."

Pumas also fielded a father-son combo on Saturday in co-coach and pitcher Damian Allan and second baseman Kahurangi Beamsley-Allan. For Damian the victory was an ideal 40th birthday present.

Short stop Kupa Isherwood provided the ideal start for Pumas when he got on-base with a three-bagger and was hit home by centre outfielder Manaaki Aranui. The game ended when the mercy rule was applied at the bottom of the fifth inning.

Only three of Saints' players, pitcher Mace Price, catcher Caleb Leddie and third baseman Bailey Scott-Wray, played premier ball last season.

"It's awesome that Saints are still in the top grade as there would only be three teams without them. But at the same time it was important for us to maintain a high standard of play because that will be required if we are going to have a crack at the silverware later on," Houkamau added.

In the other match Fast Pitch recorded their first win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Flaxmere.

"I'm rapt with that after losing 8-0 to Pumas last week," Fast Pitch coach Quentin Chadwick said.

"I've been telling the boys if you do the mahi [work] you get the treats and we had good turnouts at trainings this week. A few of our players including pitcher Ihaka Tangaroa were away last week and they made a difference today. Ihaka took plenty of strikeouts at crucial times against many of their big names," Chadwick added.

Flaxmere, who beat Saints 12-3 in round one, had an early 1-0 lead and Chadwick believed the turning point in the match came in the third inning when his centre outfielder Daniel Green hit a double with two runners on base to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Chadwick was also impressed by the contribution from his 15-year-old catcher Manahi Goulton.

"We've got a young team this season and we are heading off to a tournament in Palmerston North at Labour Weekend to give them plenty of experience," Chadwick said.