Softball: No stopping Black Sox batting power

8.45pm

BLACK SOX 11 VENEZUELA 3

A grand slam home run from New Zealand power hitter Thomas Makea set the game alight as the Black Sox beat Venezuela 11-3 to win their sixth successive match at the men's world softball championships in Christchurch tonight.

Makea smashed the ball over the fence with the bases loaded at the top of the first inning.

His hit scored four runs, with Stacy McLean, Donny Hale and Mark Sorenson also scoring.

Those four runs added to the first run of the game which came when lead off hitter Dion Nukunuku scored on a single from Sorenson.

The early big hitting from the Black Sox saw Venezuela's starting pitcher Larry Escalona taken out of the game.

Although he faced only seven batters, Escalona gave up three hits and two walks for five runs.

While the home side were dominant with the bat, starting pitcher Jim Wana also proved elusive on the mound.

He pitched the two opening innings of the game, taking four strikeouts and allowing no runners on base.

After such a strong start the Black Sox went through a flat period and Venezuela came back to give them a fright.

Wana was replaced on the mound by Michael Gaiger in the third inning and, after taking the first out, he got into trouble when conceding a walk, followed by a hit pitch and a wild pitch which saw the bases loaded up.

There was no way out for the Black Sox as they gave up three runs with Israel Paez, Jose Rodriguea and Edwing Linares all scoring for Venezuela.

With the score closed up at 5-3 the Black Sox, the defending world champions, showed their class to pick up six runs in the sixth inning to take control of the game.

Lead off Brad Rona got the momentum rolling with a big automatic over the centre field fence.

Consistent hitting from Roman Gabriel and Nukunuku saw them secure base hits before Hale and fired the ball over the fence and into the top of the outfield stand for three runs.

Thomas Makea and Taifau Matai rounded out the scoring in the inning.

The game ended after six innings with the seven run mercy rule invoked.

In getting through the six innings Venezuela used four pitchers, conceding 11 hits and 11 runs.

In comparison, the Black Sox conceded four hits and three runs.

Despite another win, New Zealand assistant coach Eddie Kohlhase is aware his team still have work to do.

"We got off to a good start, we were happy with the start but then the intensity drifted some what and while we came back in the end that is something we need to work on for tomorrow," Kohlhase said.

Kohlhase said it was always the plan to replace Wana after two innings and he was happy to see Gaiger get a good work out.

"Jim started off very well and then it was good to see Michael get three or four solid innings. Michael is getting better with every inning and we have confidence with where we are at."

Kohlhase said the tournament really started tomorrow for the Black Sox as they play the highly ranked Canadians before the playoffs start on Friday.

"We are happy with where everyone is at but now it is time for playoffs mode and we have a big game tomorrow and we are really looking forward to it.

"The tournament essentially starts tomorrow for us so the intensity level needs to be picked up."

World Championships results

New Zealand 11 Venezuela 3, Philippines 6 Netherlands 1, United States 5 Great Britain 0, Canada 5 South Africa 0, Argentina 9 Hong Kong 0.

Tournament draw and results

Tournament statistics

Squad lists