Wanganui Braves unleashed their secret weapon Brad Worsley to demolish Raiders in the Manawatu Men's Premier grade softball competition in Palmerston North on Saturday.
Wanganui Braves unleashed their secret weapon Brad Worsley to demolish Raiders in the Manawatu Men's Premier grade softball competition in Palmerston North on Saturday.
Ezi Finance Wanganui Braves unleashed their ace in the hole Brad Worsley to demolish Raiders in their debut in the Manawatu Premier Men's grade softball competition in Palmerston North at the weekend.
Worsley, a pitcher of note who gained national attention while playing for Hutt Valley, completely dominated Raiders' battingline-up with an impressive eight strikeouts.
His availability was one of the main reasons Wanganui Braves moved into the premier grade this season after finishing runners-up in the Manawatu men's reserve grade.
Braves defaulted their first match in the competition two weeks ago through a lack of numbers, but regathered to announce their arrival to the new grade on Saturday in no uncertain fashion.
Raiders only made base four times during the game and on each occasion Worsley's dominance on the mound, and some sharp fielding by Braves' defence, shut down the Raiders' attack.
Player coaches Shane Foster and Peter Flood stressed to players the need to be patient in the batting box, and stringing hits together was going to win this game.
The team's eight runs came as a result of that message.
Braves opened their account from a classic two down rally. With two out Glenn Casey made first base with a hit to left field. Bottom order batters Ricky Boniface and Toby Rison both strung singles together to have loaded bases. Paddy Steele hit to the Raiders shortstop where Casey scored on a fielders choice.
Runs kept flowing from there in a similar manner, with Boniface and Rison especially having a good day at bat, both getting two hits from three turns at bat. Richie Smith also impressed at bat scoring two of the team's runs and also getting two RBIs (runners batted in).
"We will need to bat right through the order to win games in this premier competition, so it was a great start for the team," Foster said.
But the day belonged to Worsley, who cranked up another gear in the last innings to strike out Raiders last three batters. Notably, watching on were some of Manawatu's top pitchers and players taking a great interest in the new kid on the block.
Meanwhile, Whanganui's other team, Mustangs won 13-3 against Blue Sox Hitters in the men's reserve grade on Saturday..
Tre Hemi shapes up during Wanganui Mustangs' 13-3 win over Blue Sox Hitters in the Manawatu Men's Reserve grade softball competition in Palmerston North on Saturday.
In the first innings, Mustangs scored six runs to Blue Sox Hitters none. In the second innings, Mustangs scored one more run and shut down the Blue Sox Hitters from scoring in the bottom of the second innings leading of 7-0.
At the top of the third, Mustangs did not score any runs but at the bottom of the third Trent Hemi pitched against the wind and rain maintaining his accuracy to hold the game at 7-0.
At the top of the fourth and final innings, Mustangs scored another 6 runs for a 13-0 lead. At the bottom of the fourth, Blue Sox Hitters showed some redemption securing three runs to finish the game at 13-3.
Mustangs had a mixture of beginner and experienced players take the field for the first time including Regan Calder, Jefferson Yacap, Bailey Kiwara, Petera Martin, Lenox Fold and Tewha Martini-Richards.
Coach Ron Hollis said the Mustangs played extremely well as a team and congratulated them on their win.
The Mustangs have had overwhelming interest from keen fastpitch softball players wanting in on the action.
"So much so that we have considered entering another fastpitch team to represent Whanganui in the Manawatu competition," Mustangs manager Layce Madams said.
The Mustangs Sports Club Wanganui is currently looking for sponsorship to help field another team and anyone keen on helping is urged to make contact.
