Softball: Auckland issue warning to league rivals

Auckland surged to the top of the national women's softball league with an unblemished start to the 2005 season on the weekend.

Auckland were in impeccable touch to secure four wins from four matches on their home diamond at Norana Avenue Ballpark, the latter two coming yesterday when they beat Southern Pride 5-1 and Wellington 6-3.

That followed their opening successes on Saturday when Auckland saw off Wellington 6-3 then thrashed Southern Pride 19-1.

Auckland were pushed hard by Wellington today before they broke away in the seventh inning to take the game.

The two sides were all locked up at 3-3 going into the final inning but Auckland's hitters delivered with the bat when it mattered with Tania Misa, Fiona Timu and Rebecca Bromhead all scoring in the home side's final turn at bat.

On the mound for Auckland, White Sox pitcher Carina Hale faced 31 batters, gave up seven hits and two walks while taking three strikeouts.

For Wellington, fellow international Lisa Such faced 35 batters, gave up nine hits and three walks while taking four strikeouts.

Wellington later atoned by beating Southern Pride 6-2, after beating the same side by 13-1 yesterday.

Hutt Valley also emerged from the weekend with a perfect record, twice beating Central Vikings in Hastings yesterday by margins of 1-0 and 10-2.

- NZPA