Softball: Black Sox finish top of section

New Zealand warmed-up for the business end of the world championships with a 5-3 win over Japan in Saskatoon, Canada yesterday.

The win means the Black Sox qualified top of their section and will today play Australia, who finished second in their section. Having had the mercy rule invoked as they romped through their six previous matches, New Zealand were taken to seven innings for their first time in the tournament by Japan.

The Black Sox opened their run account from their first turn at bat, scoring two runs through Thomas Makea and Travis Wilson.

Japan pulled one run back in their first turn at bat but then the Black Sox, who have won the past three world championships, scored a further three runs in the second inning though Daniel Milne, Nathan Nukunuku and Makea. They were unable to add to their score in the following five innings but Black Sox pitcher Jeremy Manley did his job from the mound.

Manley pitched the first five innings and conceded just five hits before being replaced by Marty Grant for the sixth inning.

Grant's third pitch of that inning ended up over the outfield fence for Japan's second run.

Heinie Shannon pitched the seventh inning and gave up two hits and a run.

The winners of today's New Zealand-Australia game will play the winners of the Canada-USA game.

The losers of these games get a second life tomorrow, meeting the winners of the sudden death playoffs involving Venezuela against Britain and Japan against Argentina.

- NZPA