Wanganui Braves first baseman Jamie Hollis attempts a cheeky pick off during his side's effortless 7-0 drubbing of previously unbeaten Linton Sentinels in Manawatu on Saturday.
Wanganui Braves first baseman Jamie Hollis attempts a cheeky pick off during his side's effortless 7-0 drubbing of previously unbeaten Linton Sentinels in Manawatu on Saturday.
Ezi Finance Wanganui Braves cruised to another emphatic victory against previously unbeaten Linton Sentinels 7-0 in the Manawatu Premier Men's Softball competition on Saturday.
Brad Worsley again stamped his authority striking out 13 of the 19 batters that stepped up to the plate.
Although Linton did get four hits off Worsley, all in separate innings, Worsley just simply shut them out.
Catcher Paddy Steele is showing he has what it takes holding onto a top pitcher, improving with each week and gaining confidence in the batters box.
Worsley was ably backed up by some impressive batting by his Braves team mates. Braves opened their account in the bottom of the third innings scoring four runs.
Infielders Glenn Casey and Toby Rison scored early in the inning, then with two down, 1st Baseman Jamie Hollis slammed the ball to the outfield fence to make 2nd base, player/coach Shane Foster made 1st base after hitting hard to the Linton 3rd baseman forcing an error, then big Centre Fielder Stephen Barnes hit to centre field scoring both Hollis and Foster.
Braves other three runs came in the bottom of the 4th through pitcher Worsley, with two more in the bottom of the 5th to Foster and Richie Smith to shut out the Linton army men.
Braves play Bluesox this coming Saturday, 2.30pm at Colquhoun Park.
Meanwhile the Wanganui Mustangs took on Huia Warriors on Diamond One losing 11 runs to 10 in the Manawatu Senior Reserve grade match up. During the first innings Huia Warriors led 3-1.
In the second innings Huia Warriors piled gained eight runs and shut Mustangs down to no runs leaving the Manawatu side 11-1 up.
It was at the start of the third innings that Mustangs pitcher Trent Hemi entered the diamond and struck out all three batters from Huia Warriors, then allowed Mustangs to score three runs home.
Hemi struck again in the 4th innings stopping Huia from scoring anymore runs, while Mustangs gained one more run home to bring the score to 11-5.
The 5th was a no run innings from either team. In the 6th and final innings Mustangs continued to shut down Huia, scoring 5 of their own bringing the score to 11-10.
Manager Layce Madams said following the match the Mustangs were privileged to meet the New Zealand Back Sox team and coach at Colquhoun Park in Palmerston North.
Mustangs coach Ron Hollis and Black Sox coach Mark Sorrinsen during an aftermatch photo shoot at Colquhoun Park in Palmerston North on Saturday.
"We have a Mustangs cap signed by all Back Sox members and coach Mark Sorrensen that we will raffle off to raise money for our Mustangs Sports Club," Madams said.
Mustangs second fastpitch team, Wanganui Mustangs Black, will take the field this Saturday in the same Manawatu Senior Men's Reserve grade competition.
