Softball: Black Sox made to work hard for win over Samoa

BLACK SOX 3 SAMOA 1

New Zealand were made to work harder than expected as they opened their defence of their world men's softball title with a 3-1 win over Samoa in Christchurch tonight.

The Black Sox, who lost their two top pitchers Marty Grant and Michael Gaiger to injury on match eve, scored all three of their runs in the third inning.

Dion Nukunuku batted in Brad Rona for the first run before Stacey McLean smacked an automatic home run off Samoa pitcher Heinie Shannon to score himself and Nukunuku.

Samoa though kept the brakes on through replacement pitcher Michael Roberts, and in the sixth inning opened their account when Tonga World Cup rugby representative Gus Leger hit a home run off Black Sox pitcher Jimmy Wana.

The Black Sox had loaded bases in the seventh and final inning but couldn't add to their account.

Earlier tonight the Black Sox paid Grant the honour of carrying their flag and Prime Minister Helen Clark threw the first pitch to declare the 11th International Softball Federation world series open.

- NZPA