Softball: Daunting task for White Sox

New Zealand are almost certainly out of contention in the softball tournament after a disappointing 0-1 loss to Italy on Thursday in round-robin play.

The White Sox now need to win their remaining two games against heavyweights Japan and the US and rely on other results to help them through to the top four and the medal round.

Thursday's game remained a 0-0 stalemate until Italy scored in the bottom of the fifth.

Ironically it came when top New Zealand pitcher Gina Weber was introduced to the game after she replaced Fiona Timu.

Francesca Francolini came home from second base after Jie Hua's hit to the infield was misfielded.

New Zealand had a late chance in the seventh inning to tie the game up when they had loaded bases but failed to get a clean hit away.

The White Sox were troubled by Italian pitcher Yue Fen Sun and struggled with the bat all day.

Coach Mike Walsh said the team did not play well enough to win.

"I'm absolutely shattered. If we can't beat Italy we don't deserve to be in the playoffs."

New Zealand play the US on Friday.

- NZPA