The Sharpies Saints opened cruise to an 11-4 win against Maraenui Pumas at Akina Park, Hastings.
The Sharpies Saints opened cruise to an 11-4 win against Maraenui Pumas at Akina Park, Hastings.
New Junior Black Sox World Series softball player Adam Woon celebrated his national selection with three hits from five turns at bat last night.
One of Woon's hits was a double as Sharpies Saints opened Hawke's Bay's premier men's post-Christmas competition with an 11-4 win against Maraenui Pumas at AkinaPark, Hastings. Woon took a break from his regular pitching role and played short-stop in the victory.
First baseman Jesse Little also hit a double off the pitching of Pumas player-coach Karaitiana Aranui who had to take the mound in the absence of regular hurlers Tridan McClutchie and Kristen Munro who were among four regular first stringers unavailable for Pumas because of work commitments.
Horowai Puketapu and Joe O'Leary were the others. Under these circumstances Pumas did well against Saints who were surprisingly beaten by Pumas in the semifinals of the pre-Christmas competition.
Aranui conceded six hits and nine walks and the walks were more costly than the hits. Short stop Callum Carson and third baseman Manaaki Aranui were Pumas top batters with two hits from four turns.
In tomorrow's premier men's games at Akina Park pre-Christmas champions Fast Pitch Giants will take on Maraenui Pumas and Saints will play Vikings.
Tomorrow will also see the Hawke's Bay men's rep team, Central Vikings, travel to the capital for their final three round robin fixtures in the Wellington Intercity competition. One win will secure the Luke Herrick-coached team a semifinal berth. Herrick's troops will play Poneke Kilbirnie, Hutt Valley Dodgers and Hutt City.
