The defending champions Counties were the big casualty on day two of the United Airlines Mens National Baseball Championships at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga Friday.
The surprise 2016 winners have missed out on the championship rounds over the weekend after losing 5-4 to an upstart Orewa team.
Counties thenlost a tight encounter 1-0 to tournament heavyweights Howick-Pakuranga Hawks, who completed an unbeaten round robin easily accounting for the Hamilton Raiders.
The Hawks, Orewa, North Shore and HP Greyhawks make up the championship top 4 who will battle for supremacy over the next two days.
Orewa 5 v 4 Counties Chch Blue Sox 5 v 4 Porirua Bombers Orewa 12 v 2 Hamilton Raiders North Shore 16 v 1 Porirua Bombers Chch Blue Sox 7 v 9 HP Greyhawks HP Hawks 12 v 2 Hamilton Raiders North Shore 3 v 1 HP Greyhawks HP Hawks 1 v 0 Counties
