Auckland, NZ - Three Auckland brothers are in line to play for the Black Sox after being named in the national men's softball training squad.
Established outfielders Ben and Thomas Enoka have been joined by younger brother, Campbell, a former Junior Black Sox representative for a training camp in Auckland in January.
THREE ENOKA BROTHERS MAKE BLACK SOX TRAINING SQUAD
Three Auckland brothers are in line to play for the Black Sox after being named in the national men's softball training squad.
Established outfielders Ben and Thomas Enoka have been joined by younger brother, Campbell, a former Junior Black Sox representative for a training camp in Auckland in January.
Ben Enoka has represented the Black Sox at three world championships, while Thomas made his debut at the 2015 tournament after playing for Samoa in 2013.
If Campbell Enoka, also an outfielder, can make the step up, it could be the first time three brothers have played on a Black Sox squad simultaneously.
Black Sox great Thomas Makea and his brothers Fabian and Campbell have all represented New Zealand, but never at the same time.
The 26-man squad features the return of former Black Sox pitcher Penese Iosefo.
The Canterbury hurler was part of the 2013 gold medal winning team, but stepped down from representative softball last year and played senior club rugby last winter.
''It's nice to have Penese back, he's a talented athlete who's been part of the national programme for some years, Black Sox head coach Mark Sorenson said. ''I first met him when he was part of my under-19 squad. I've coached him before and like the talent he brings to the diamond.''
Iosefo is one of six pitchers selected for the January 15 to 17 camp in Auckland.
Marlborough's Kurt Schollum and Hutt Valley's Nik Hayes, who were part of the Black Sox's silver medal winning team at the 2015 world championships in Saskatoon, Canada, return along with ex-Black Sox pitcher Bailey Pearson-Hoani (Auckland) and two former Junior Black Sox under-19 internationals Eruera Drage, a left-hander from Auckland, and Canterbury's Ethan Johnston.
Sorenson said the Black Sox needed to develop their pitcher-catcher batteries and he was "pretty excited at the talent available in the catching department''.
North Harbour's Conor Peden, the back-up to Stephen Ratu in Saskatoon, joined by Hutt Valley's Cory Timu and Aucklanders Zane van Lieshout, Matt Oxley and Kallan Compain, a former Samoan international with extensive experience in North America.
"They are really skilled and they're all fairly young,'' Sorenson said. "Over the next few years it will be nice to watch these guys compete against one another.''
Ratu, 40, pitcher Heinie Shannon, 40, and infielder Brad Rona, 39, have been left out of the training squad, but Sorenson said the door was not closed to the trio, who could still be considered for selection for the 2017 world championships in Canada.
"I had a chat with them and said we are looking to the future and we've got to get some more talent involved, but if we get to the world series and they are still the best in their position, they will be selected,'' Sorenson said.
Auckland's Isaac Fletcher, who was close to world championship selection, joins the 2015 incumbents in an infield led by captain Nathan Nukunuku.
Campbell Enoka, Auckland teammate Alfons Oveinikovas and Hawke's Bay's Rongo Rapaea are the new faces in the outfield group with Canterbury's Josh Thomson recalled after missing the world championships cut.
Sorenson said the selectors had named an extended squad to ''keep an eye on their progress and to throw a lifeline to those guys by letting them know they are on the radar, and they are doing well.''
The back-up squad includes Wellington outfielder Campbell Makea, who went to Saskatoon, but is doing a master's degree this year and is unable to commit to the full Black Sox programme.
The 26-man Black Sox training squad is:
Pitchers: Kurt Schollum (Marlborough), Nik Hayes (Hutt Valley), Penese Iosefo (Canterbury), Bailey Pearson-Hoani (Auckland), Ethan Johnston (Canterbury), Eruera Drage (Auckland). Catchers: Connor Peden (North Harbour), Cory Timu (Hutt Valley), Zane van Lieshout, Matt Oxley, Kallan Compain (Auckland).
Infielders: Jerome Raemaki (Wellington), Tyson Byrne, Joel Evans (Hutt Valley), Josh Harbrow (Canterbury), Nathan Nukunuku, Cole Evans, Isaac Fletcher (Auckland).
Outfielders-designated players: Ben Enoka, Thomas Enoka, Campbell Enoka, Alfons Oveinikovas (Auckland), Josh Thomson (Canterbury), Hohepa Monk (North Harbour), Wayne Laulu (Wellington). Extended squad: Pitchers: Blake Radford (North Harbour), Josh Pettett (Wellington), Campbell Gibson (Auckland). Catchers: Ihaka Davis, Antony Stuart (Canterbury). Infielders: Pita Rona (North Harbour), Rhys Evans (Auckland), Dante Matakatea (Wellington).
Outfielders-designated players: Vincent Harris (North Harbour), Jerome Haretuku (Auckland), Campbell Makea (Wellington), Rongo Rapaea (Hawke's Bay), Frank Pointon (Canterbury).
Cheers, Glen
Glen Roff - Softball Manager
Softball New Zealand
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New Zealand Black Sox World Champions: 76, 84, 96, 00, 04, 13
New Zealand White Sox World Champions: 82
New Zealand Junior Black Sox World Champions: 85, 89
