Clarke pitched into action for Auckland

Giants pitcher Ritchie Clarke made the most of his chance to play for competition leaders Auckland in the national men's softball league last weekend.
Clarke was drafted into the Auckland side at the eleventh hour when one of their pitchers was ruled out through injury and he played a big part in their 4-3 win over a Hutt Valley side which, incidentally, included two other Giants players in Mark Quinn and Michael Grant.
Called into the action with Auckland leading 2-0 Clarke pitched the last five innings and was "pretty pleased" with his performance, a highlight of which was striking out Grant with bases loaded.
"I drove home with him (Grant) after the game and yes, we did have a few words about that," Clarke recalled. "Mind you, things might have been different had he hit me out of the park, I know who would have had the last laugh then."
While agreeing that playing for a team of Auckland's strength was a little intimidating, Clarke said he had been made welcome by the players and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
"Obviously you do feel a certain amount of pressure to perform but the players were all very supportive, I couldn't have asked for more in that respect," he said.
Clarke is unsure whether he will get to play for Auckland again this season, saying that would probably depend on whether they still had injury worries with their pitching staff. "I'd love the chance but there's no guarantees it will happen again," he said.
Auckland leads the national men's league with 35pts, followed by Canterbury 25.5, Wellington 21, Hutt Valley 20.5 and Southern Pride 5.