Softball: Black Sox win Parana international

The New Zealand men's softball team won the Parana International in Argentina by beating the tournament hosts 3-1 in today's final.

The world champion Black Sox opened the scoring in the first inning when captain Jarrad Martin hit a home run with Thomas Makea on base.

Argentina pulled one back in the second inning before Donny Hale scored a third run for the New Zealanders in the fifth.

Argentina were unable to find an answer to tight pitching from Jeremy Manley, who pitched the first five innings, and then Marty Grant, who came on for the final two.

The Black Sox finished the tournament with six wins from eight games, with the losses against the Venezuela national team and the local side Parana.

- NZPA