Softball: Black Sox score emphatic win

A change in attitude meant New Zealand maintained their unbeaten record at the world softball championships in Saskatoon, Canada, with a 16-0 four-inning win over Denmark yesterday.

"We were just a little flat in yesterday's game, not sure why, but today everyone had it right," Black Sox captain Jarrad Martin said. "We went up another level."

One player in particular who stepped up was Donny Hale, who hit a home run in the third inning. With Nathan Nukunuku, Travis Wilson and Martin already on base, it resulted in four runs.

Hale was not the only Black Sox player to add his name to the home run list, with Thomas Makea and Wilson also sending the ball over the outfield fence.

Another piece of good news for the side is that Jeremy Manley came through the game without the problems of the past few days and being called for an illegal pitch.

"They have been working on that," Martin said.

For Martin, the surprise to date at the tournament came on Tuesday when Japan were upset by Great Britain. That was the side's second loss in the section play. It also means Japan will need to play at their best, including their match-up with the Black Sox tomorrow in the final game of section play, or risk missing out on the weekend's round of games.

"That was definitely unexpected," Martin said.

It also means if Japan do qualify for the weekend's game it will be without a double life.

Martin said the double life was important to the Black Sox, as it meant the top team from the section faced the fourth-placed side from the opposite section.

- NZPA