Four new faces in Kohlase?s first team

There are four new faces in the first New Zealand men's softball squad named by new coach Eddie Kohlhase today.
Kohlhase has opted for a mix of experience and youth in naming his 20-man squad for the Pacific Cup series in Rotorua from February 3-6.
The squad also includes 13 players from last year's world championship triumph in Christchurch and three recalled players, who will take on Australia, Japan, Samoa and Argentina at Rotorua International Stadium.
The newcomers are Hutt Valley pitcher Tane Richardson, Auckland utility Jonathan Munden, Wellington outfielder Chris Eden-Huria and veteran Auckland catcher Lyndon Andrew.
Kohlhase was the assistant for six years to Don Tricker, who stood down after last year's world championship success.
He said it was important the four newcomers would be coming into an otherwise-established team.
Kohlhase believed Richardson had matured and learned his craft over recent seasons while the inclusion of Munden was with an eye to the future.
While Munden may not receive a lot of game time during the series, Kohlhase was confident he could handle the step up as he had been catching at club level to international-class pitchers Michael Gaiger and Heinie Shannon.
Eden-Huria caught the eye of the national selectors last season playing for Canterbury against the Black Sox in the build-up to the world championships.
"Chris is a very big man who has a lot of grace on the diamond in terms of balance," Kohlhase said.
"He is at a very high level for this stage of his career and we see him as a potential development prospect."
Kohlhase said the experience Andrew, 34, would bring to the catcher's position would be invaluable.
Fabian Makea, Stephen Ratu and Rhys Casley are recalled to the international stage after hovering on the fringes of Black Sox selection over recent seasons.
"They are all guys that are good enough to make any other international team in the world but they have come up against tough opposition here in New Zealand," Kohlhase said.
Kohlhase was confident his squad had the ability to win the series.
"We have named four pitchers for the series and Jarrad Martin will be able to cover the pitching as well and there is some real depth in the hitting and we are strong on the bench," he said.
"We have got guys we can bring into the game to do a job, whether it be hitting or fielding and we have got a lot of speed in the team and offensive power."
Another feature of the team named today is the selection of infielder Nathan Nukunuku as vice-captain.
Black Sox squad:
Pitchers - Marty Grant (Wellington), Michael Gaiger (Auckland), Thomas Cameron (Auckland), Tane Richardson (Hutt Valley).
Catchers - Lyndon Andrew (Auckland), Patrick Shannon (Auckland).
Infield - Jarrad Martin, captain (Wellington), Dion Nukunuku (Auckland), Brad Rona (North Harbour), Nathan Nukunuku, vice captain (Auckland), Roman Gabriel (Auckland).
Outfielders - Stacy McLean (Wellington), Thomas Makea (Wellington), Taifau Matai (Auckland), Donny Hale (Auckland), Fabian Makea (Wellington) Chris Eden-Huria (Wellington).
Utilities - Steven Ratu (Wellington), Jonathan Munden (Auckland), Rhys Casley (Hutt Valley).-NZPA