Softball: Sox rookie delivers

Black Sox rookie Ben Enoka gave a new meaning to blowing away the nerves in Sunday's 14-0 win over Great Britain at the softball world championships in Saskatoon, Canada.

Enoka, 20, stepped into the batting box in the fourth inning and sent the third pitch he faced over the outfield fence.

He was one of four Black Sox players to hit home runs in the game with Travis Wilson, captain Jarrad Martin and Gareth Cook - also playing in his first world championship - joining the list.

"They [the nerves] are all sweet now," Enoka said.

"It was like a dream. It's been a great experience and I have just been soaking everything up."

As he stepped into the batter's box, Enoka still had the words of advice from his coach Eddie Kohlhase in his head.

"He just said relax and do what you do best, there is no pressure and just play my normal game," Enoka said.

The damage by the Black Sox batters came in just two innings. In their second turn at bat they scored eight runs, adding six more in the fourth.

"That was satisfying," Kohlhase said afterwards. "Everyone hit the ball very well and it was good offensive play."

Martin's experience again proved invaluable - as well as hitting one of the side's four home runs, he also batted in four of his teammates for runs.

"He was outstanding," Kohlhase said.

However, Kohlhase and pitching coaches Eric Wilson and Jim Wana admitted some concern at the interpretation of pitching by officials after Jeremy Manley was called for illegal pitching on a couple of occasions.

"It is just something we will need to act on now, and he will be doing some work with Eric and Jim," Kohlhase said.

Manley took nine strikeouts in the game and gave up only two hits in the game, but conceded three walks - mainly as a result of the illegal pitching interpretation.

Sunday's win was New Zealand's second in as many games, after they beat the United States 15-0 in the tournament opener on Saturday.

The side's attention now turns to their next match against the Philippines, who yesterday beat Mexico 7-4.

- NZPA