New Zealand were made to work harder than expected as they opened their defence of their world men's title with a 3-1 win over Samoa in Christchurch last night.
The Black Sox, who lost their two top pitchers Marty Grant and Michael Gaiger to injury on the eve of the match, scored all three of their runs in the third inning.
Dion Nukunuku batted in Brad Rona for the first run before Stacey McLean smacked an automatic home run off Samoa pitcher Heinie Shannon to score himself and Nukunuku.
Samoa, though, kept the brakes on through replacement pitcher Michael Roberts, and in the sixth inning opened their account when Tonga World Cup rugby representative Gus Leger hit a home run off Black Sox pitcher Jimmy Wana.
The Black Sox had loaded bases in the seventh and final inning, but could not add to their account.
The Samoan team is all New Zealand-based.
Earlier, the Black Sox paid Grant the honour of carrying their flag and Prime Minister Helen Clark threw the first pitch to declare the 11th world series open.
She was helped by the captain of the Black Sox, Jarrad Martin.
The batter was International Softball Federation president Don Porter, and the catcher was Black Sox veteran Mark Sorenson.
It was the second time Porter had faced a pitch from a New Zealand Labour Prime Minister.
He was also involved in the opening ceremony for the 1986 women's world championships in Auckland, where the pitcher was David Lange.
A capacity crowd of 7000 people attended the opening.
- NZPA
Tournament draw
Softball: Black Sox given tough match by Samoans
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