Softball: Black Sox and US major threats

By JULIE ASH in Christchurch

The Black Sox and the United States have emerged as the top two teams at the world championships.

The hosts continued their unbeaten run in Christchurch last night with a comfortable 7-0 win over the Philippines, while on the other side of the draw, the United States cleaned out the Czech Republic 19-0.

After a scoreless first two innings, the Black Sox took control in the third. A Stacy McLean hit to left-field secured the opening run by Nathan Nukunuku.

Captain Jarrad Martin was next to help his team's cause, sending the ball out to left-field, which got McLean home.

Thomas Cameron, who was called into the squad to replace Marty Grant, was brought into the pitching role at the top of the third, replacing Jim Wana.

The young Aucklander delivered instantly, striking out Manolito Binaro and Romeo Bumagat.

New Zealand's dominance continued in the fourth inning. A Roman Gabriel hit got him to third base and saw Taisau Matai and Patrick Shannon get home, extending the lead to 4-0.

Gabriel, Dion Nukunuku and Stacey McLean all added to New Zealand's tally to give them a comfortable 7-0 lead.

Going into the fifth, New Zealand changed pitchers for the third time, introducing Karl Gollan, who immediately went to work and struck out three Filipino batsmen.

Because the New Zealanders were ahead by seven at the fifth inning, the mercy rule was applied, which handed the hosts the points and a spot in the playoffs.

Earlier, a letter from their Prime Minister helped spur Samoa to a 6-5 win over South Africa.

With three victories and two losses, Samoa just need to beat Australia today and the Philippines tomorrow to secure a top-two finish in their pool and automatically earn two lives heading into the playoffs.

Samoa, competing in their first world championships, have become one of the crowd favourites.

"We got a letter from the Prime Minister this morning which said everyone back in the islands is watching the TV and reading the newspapers back there," captain Jeremy Stanley said.

"He said we have become household names and role models back there. So that was a nice little pick-me-up before the game today."

With the score 5-3 in South Africa's favour in the fourth, it was going to take something special from the Samoans to peg them back.

And it came in the fifth inning when an illegal pitch from Grant Olivier helped Gene Lutton home, which took the match to 5-4. South Africa, who lost 9-6 to the Philippines yesterday morning, were kept scoreless at the bottom of the fifth.

A midfield hit by Samoa's Aaron Neemia got Michael Fenton home, to tie the game up at 5-all.

South Africa were scoreless once again at the bottom of the sixth, setting up the showdown in the seventh and final inning. Lutton, Stanley and Travis Allan all made hits, and with the hopes of all of Samoa riding on his shoulders, Wayne Laulu struck the ball into left field, which got Lutton home to give the Samoans a one-run advantage.

Samoa's No 1 pitcher, Heine Shannon, was introduced in the last inning and immediately made his mark, scoring three strikeouts to give Samoa the game.

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