• Pumas softballers bow to Mets experience

Pumas softballers bow to Mets experience

It's fair to suggest this has been the week from hell for the Maraenui Pumas premier men's softballers.

Their training grounds were flooded on Monday night and they were unable to train this week. Massive damage was also done to their clubrooms and near-new carpet has had to be pulled out.

It will be months before this carpet can be replaced as there is a shortage of carpet in the Bay. However the Pumas displayed the fighting spirit which will eventually see them put this disaster behind them when they did everything but win today's only Hawke's Bay premier men's clash at Akina Park, Hastings.

Despite losing 3-0 to Mets Pumas out hit their opponentrs 4-3 and two of Mets hits were bunts. Pumas pitcher, Kahurangi Beamsley-Allan, a New Zealand under-18 rep last summer, collected 13 strikeouts during his six innings on the mound.

There were promising signs from Pumas in the first inning. Lead off batter Karaitiana Aranui hitting to the left outfield. With second batter Jason Kelleher receiving a hit pitch they were none down with runners on first and second. 

But they were unable to capitalise. With loaded bases and one down in the fourth inning Beamsley-Allan was taken out at home plate with a force play. 

Mets scored all three of their runs in the sixth inning. Mike Thompson and Curtis Huata scored on the same error and Josh Gettins scored on a pass ball.

Aranui was Pumas top batter being dangerous in all visits to the batter's box, except his last. Pitcher Jordan Waterhouse was Mets top batter with two safe hits from three turns.

The experience of some of Mets older heads proved the difference between the two teams. The other match, between Saints and Fast Pitch, will be played at Akina Park from 6pm on Tuesday.