Pitchers who have been in the New Zealand Black Sox squad were on either side when Porirua beat defending champions Poneke Kilbirnie 5-4 in the final of the two-day ISA New Zealand Softball Classic at Akina Park, Hastings, yesterday .
Former Hawke's Bay, Fastpitch and Maraenui Pumas hurler Regan Manley was on the mound for Porirua while Reilly Makea, son of former Hawke's Bay and international softball star Thomas Makea, pitched for PK.
The eight-team tournament, first held as the Lion Red Classic in 1996 and missing Auckland and Waikato sides because of the pandemic, also had Black Sox selector and assistant coach Daryl Marino in attendance.
Tournament organiser Craig Waterhouse said people were amazed to see the tournament completed after rain at the end of last week and again on Saturday night.
Drying out the diamonds, the tournament start was delayed by an hour on Saturday but all games were still completed.