Redhead gets first win as full game pitcher against Dodgers

Canadian softball pitcher Bryn Redhead got the perfect 19th birthday present on Saturday.
Redhead got his first win as a full game pitcher on New Zealand soil when he pitched Maraenui Pumas to a 3-2 win against Dodgers in the feature Hawke's Bay premier men's clash at Akina Park, Hastings.
"The first inning was a bit of a struggle but everything went well after that," said Redhead who conceded two runs in the first inning.
"I was feeling a little bit of pressure going into the game, having to fill in for Regan," said Redhead referring to Black Sox pitcher Regan Manley who was unable to pitch because of an injury but was able to bat and have a defensive role at first base.
One of two Canadians in the Pumas line-up - catcher Tyrel Majeski the other - Redhead plays at open senior level back home. He said his main goal while in New Zealand was to become a top notch pitcher.
He struck out nine of the 25 batters he faced while conceding four walks and two hits.
The Mudd brothers, outfielder Ryan and first baseman Phillip, collected both of Dodgers hits and Phillip scored both of Dodgers runs in the first inning.
Pumas scored runs in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the score and the winning run in the bottom of the sixth.
Second baseman Karaitiana Aranui smashed a three bagger for Pumas, one of four hits his team took off Dodgers pitcher Manaaki Mita who struck out eight of the 26 batters he faced while conceding four walks.
Saints third baseman Hoani Crawford produced the only home run in Saturday's round as his team lost 10-6 to unbeaten leaders Fast Pitch.
The Saint John's College student was his team's top batter with two hits from two turns and two RBIs.
Conceding seven runs in the first inning proved costly for his team. Four Fast Pitch players, second baseman and new Black Sox outfielder Aaron Kuru, short stop Te Rangi Chadwick, former Junior Black Sox outfielder Rongo Rapaea and outfielder Cameron Willis finished the match with three hits from as many turns at bat.
Both teams used two pitchers. Fast Pitch started with Jordan Waterhouse who struck out one of the 19 batters he faced in 2.1 innings and conceded 10 hits and six runs.
His player-coach Rayner Te Wake struck out all four batters. He faced in 1.2 innings before time was called in the fourth inning. Saints started with Tamihana Hokianga who struck out one of the 22 batters he faced in 2.2 innings while conceding seven hits, six walks and nine runs, four of them earned.
Jovaan Hanley struck out one of the five batters he faced in 1.1 innings and conceded one walk, one earned run and one hit.