Softball: Rice bows out on Black Sox high

Auckland softballer Dean Rice ensured that he will leave the sport still regarded as one of the best in the world as the Black Sox made a clean sweep of the series against Australia in Auckland yesterday.

With Rice making his final appearance for the national side at the end of a 12-year career, the Black Sox beat Australia 5-1 in Mangere to make it a 5-0 win in the Lion Foundation-sponsored test series.

Rice was at his brilliant best, thwarting the Australian advance in the third innings with an inspired piece of fielding and scoring New Zealand's final run of the game in the fifth inning after running out a bunt to make base, something that has been a trademark of his game.

Black Sox coach Don Tricker paid Rice the ultimate compliment after the game, saying he had set the benchmark for all aspiring Black Sox players.

"What Dean has achieved on the field has been well documented," Tricker said.

"But it's what he has brought to the team off the field that will probably be the most lasting memory for us.

"He is one of the guys who has been at the foundation of the Black Sox culture we have built.

"We have plenty of good young guys coming through, but you can't just replace a person like him. It was quite emotional today."

Rice said he could not think of a better scenario in which to leave the game.

"Playing in front of your home crowd and playing well. And winning the series, yeah it's a good way to go," he said.

"To tell you the truth, it's bloody tough to leave, though. I got a bit choked up. Especially after what we achieved this year.

"There was a lot of pressure on the guys, but we did the hard yards." Wellington's Kere Johanson also played his last game in the New Zealand uniform during the tour, bowing out at his home venue, Wellington's Hataitai Ballpark, on Thursday night.

Rice and Johanson have been to four World Series with the Black Sox.

Yesterday, for the first time in the series, the Black Sox had to come from behind to win.

Australia took the lead at the top of the second inning when Terry Downes hit up the middle, went to second and then third on consecutive wild pitches from Greg Newton, and scored on an error throw from New Zealand catcher Mark Sorenson to first base.

At the top of the third, they had another scoring chance when Peter Clout hit safely and Paul Maisey looked to bunt him to second.

But Rice came screaming in from third base to catch the ball just before it hit the ground, then managed to throw the runner out at first base to extinguish the danger.

At the bottom of the fourth inning the Black Sox hit back, Jarrad Martin leading off with a safe hit.

Thomas Makea then smacked the ball over the right-field fence to a two-run homer. Taifau Matai and Donny Hale followed with safe hits and both came home as Nathan Nukunuku hit to right field.

In the bottom of the fifth, Rice ran out a safe bunt and was batted in by Makea for New Zealand's fifth run.

Tricker was pleased with his team's effort in the series, and especially pleased with the reception his team was given from supporters around the country.

Close to 2000 people turned out to see the game at the Lion Red Ballpark yesterday and there was almost 3000 at Saturday's game in Albany, won by the Black Sox 3-0.

- Herald correspondent