• Softball pitcher fires in nationals rehearsal

Softball pitcher fires in nationals rehearsal

Hawke's Bay's Black Sox training squad pitcher Adam Woon yesterday had an ideal rehearsal for next week's national men's interclub softball tournament in Lower Hutt.

Playing for his Saints club side in the Bay's post-Christmas premier men's competition, Woon, had a grand slam home run, a triple and a single with the bat during a four-inning 14-2 drubbing of Maraenui Pumas on diamond one at Akina Park, Hastings. During his two innings on the mound, Woon (pictured above) didn't concede any runs.

Woon will play for Auckland United in Lower Hutt. Originally Saints had planned to play at nationals but the club decided to wait until next season when they will have played more tournaments in the build-up.

Short stop Hoani Crawford and first baseman Jacob Zurcher also hit home runs for Saints. Crawford pitched the final two innings.

Woon's twin brother Brad, who played left outfielder, collected two safe hits. Their older brother, player-coach Luke Woon, also played in the victory.

"The three of us brothers dedicated our contributions to the win to our Pop who died earlier in the week," coach Woon said referring to Colin Mackay. 

In yesterday's other match Mets beat Fast Pitch 8-0 in five innings on diamond two. Former Black Sox utility Jovaan Hanley, who played short stop for Mets, hit a massive automatic home run.

Promising under-18 players, third baseman Kyle Crone, centre outfielder Corey Boocock, who travels from Gisborne each weekend to play for Mets, right outfielder Jordan Turner and second baseman Xavier Clarke-Lloyd all performed well with the bat for the winners.

Next Saturday Mets will take on Saints in a match where the winners will secure a berth in the March 20 final. The loser will take on the winner of next weekend's sudden-death semifinal between Fast Pitch and Maraenui Pumas in the March 20 elimination semifinal before the final.