Softball: Black Sox dish out drubbing to US side

EAST LONDON - Auckland outfielder Donny Hale is relishing his first softball world series in South Africa.

Hale matched his experienced captain Mark Sorenson's impressive batting figures as the Black Sox won their section yesterday with a five-innings, 10-0 drubbing of an under-strength United States.

Left outfielder Hale, 25, hit his second home run of the tournament and finished with two hits from two turns at bat and two RBIs (runner batted in).

"I said when I hit my first home run at the start of the tournament I hope that type of batting continues," he said. "It has and now at the business end of the tournament here I hope it continues a little longer."

With Sorenson and Hale both hitting their second homers of the tournament, the Black Sox have now hit 12 automatics to date. They finished top in section A with 56 runs scored and none against.

Catcher Sorenson opened the first five-innings victory over a US team at a world series with his automatic in the first innings.

With two outs, he smashed the ball over the right outfield fence to also score first baseman Jarrad Martin and give the Kiwis a 2-0 lead. Hale hit his 92m shot over the left field fence in the Kiwis' second turn at bat and the fourth innings saw the defending champions score four runs.

Nathan Nukunuku, running for Martin, scored on the first of four US errors. Right fielder Taifau Matai hit Sorenson home with a double and Hale hit Martin and centrefielder Thomas Makea home with another double.

New Zealand ended their scoring with three more runs in the fifth innings. Hale scored on an error, designated hitter Darren Rea on a sacrifice fly from Martin and Dion Nukunuku scored when Makea was walked with the bases loaded.

Black Sox coach Don Tricker used two pitchers. The US-based Paul Algar pitched the first three innings, striking out three of the 11 batters he faced and conceding one safe hit. Canterbury's Greg Newton faced the last six batters for three strikeouts and no hits.

Tricker said his team came out to play while the US did not want to show too much of their strength.

"We did what we were supposed to do. We hit the ball hard and dominated the run count so we can enter the play-offs in the right frame of mind."

- NZPA