Softball: Capital sox blitz grand final

By CHRIS RATTUE

Normal transmission has resumed in national men's softball.

Wellington, so often dominant at provincial and club levels, regained their interprovincial title with a 4-1 win over Auckland in the grand final in Mangere yesterday.

Despite being without leading Black Sox Jarrad Martin, they put on a first-innings batting blitz, with home runs to Stacey McLean and Fabian Makea off David Gollan providing all their runs.

Auckland replied with a run in the third innings, but were always on the back foot against World Series-winning pitcher Marty Grant and his reliever, Vincent Swanwick.

Last season's winners Hutt Valley failed to make yesterday's big games, leaving Auckland and North Harbour in a local derby to find Wellington's grand final opponents.

North Harbour led 2-1 after the fifth innings, with a Duane Jerard home run getting them in front.

But Auckland replied with three runs in the sixth, their top order doing the damage with Patrick Shannon, Dion Nukunuku and Kelvin Roberts crossing home plate.

The game ended in the top of the seventh, as North Harbour managed one run in reply, leaving Auckland 4-3 winners.

Auckland were always going to struggle against Grant, after conceding four runs in the first innings of the grand final. And they found little joy against Swanwick, as he struck out three of the seven batters he faced.