Another Gettins looks good for White Sox

Shane Hurndell Will Courtney Gettins become the third member of her family to earn New Zealand women's softball selection?
SportToday believes she has the goods to make the White Sox side within the next eight years. Such was her form for the Hawke's Bay under-13 side which won their Central Region tournament in Paraparaumu at the weekend with an unbeaten run in five games and an impressive 51 runs for and two against in the scorebook.
However while her mother Charmaine played as an infielder for the White Sox and sister Melanie is on target to be one of their catchers at the next women's World Series in Oklahoma City next year, Courtney will make the national team as a pitcher if she continues to dominate tournaments like she did at the weekend.
The Iona College 12-year-old year eight student, who has already played for the Hawke's Bay under-15s, was the top pitcher - male or female - with an earned run average of 0.00 from her four games on the mound. In a 1-0 win against Western Bays Courtney struck out 13 of the 24 batters she faced. In the Bay's 4-0 win against Hutt Valley Courtney struck out 17 of the 21 batters faced.
All three of the batters she faced in an 18-1 win against Manawatu were struck out and Courtney finished the tournament by striking out nine of the 21 batters faced in an 8-0 drubbing of Wellington. Her deputy Brooke Eden, a daughter of former White Sox infielder Angela Stubbs, struck out 11 of the 15 batters faced in a 20-1 walloping of Wanganui and six of the 12 Manawatu batters she faced.
Courtney and Brooke were among six Bay players selected in the girls tournament team. Catcher Emma Houkamau, first base player Samantha Cooper, short stop Evana Schinkel and outfielder Heke-Turoa Panache Ropitini were the others.
Evana hit three home runs on the weekend, Panache two and Samantha one. Emma and infielders Arawhiu Crawford and Amber Ray are all eligible for the Bay under-13s next year.
The Hawke's Bay under-13 boys side finished fourth with three wins and two losses. Third base player Jacob Mita was the top boys batter at the tournament with an average of .727.
Jacob was one of three Bay players named in the boys tournament team. Captain Cody Tamati and pitcher Tiwana Aranui were the others.
Jacob smashed a home run against Wellington, catcher Jacob Zurcher was another to shine with the bat and one of Tiwana's deputies Duncan Raheke pitched a no hitter against Wanganui. "Considering nine of my boys will be eligible for the side again next year I was rapt with the progress they made," said Bay coach Paul Woon.
All seven Hawke's Bay age group teams finished fifth or better at national, North Island or Central Region tournaments this summer.
The Bay under-17 boys, who recorded just one loss at their national tournament, play two games against a touring Japanese Universities Selection at Akina Park, Hastings tonight. Hawke's Bay's under-19 boys, who finished fourth at their nationals, play two games against the tourists at Akina Park tomorrow night.