Hawke's Bay softballer Jovaan Hanley ranked the Black Sox TAB Challenge Cup 9-0 final win against Argentina in Auckland yesterday as the highlight of his international career.
"Today was a championship game and we came away with the win. It's better than when we finished second at the World Series in Canada in 2015," Hanley said after the final at AWF Sports Stadium.
"Now the plan is to make the team again for the July World Series so we can improve upon that second placing. I don't consider it a given ... I have to work hard every time to make the team and then it's a coach's decision," Hanley said.
The 26-year-old utility who played in the right outfield and batted at No six in the final left some good footage for Black Sox head coach Mark Sorenson to ponder. Hanley got on base with all three turns at bat, a single, a walk and a sacrifice bunt which saw him advance to second on an overthrow by the Argentine third baseman.
Earlier in the tournament, in which the Kiwis recorded 10 wins and one loss, 2-1 against Japan on Friday night, Hanley proved he is a more than capable pitcher at this level and he hit a home run. However the humble Hanley pointed out there is still room for improvement in his play.