december2006

New Zealand A stand and deliver

December 5, 2006

Canberra, AU


New Zealand A stand and deliver
Tuesday December 5th 2006

New Zealand A have started their test series against the AustralianDevelopment team in Canberra tonight on the right note with victory inthe opening game 7-6.

It was a tough encounter for the Kiwi team at the Hawker International Softball Complex as the game went down to the wire with the New Zealand team coming form behind to snatch the win.

A lot of credit for the victory has to go to Auckland outfielder BernardHale who brought the New Zealand team to life in the fourth inning when he smashed a home run with the bases loaded. That one hit turned around a 2-0 deficit for New Zealand into a 4-2 advantage and set the bats rolling for the Kiwi team.

Also strong for New Zealand was pitcher Tane Richardson who battled hard on the mound and kept the Australian hitters out when it really mattered. Richardson faced 28 batters and picked up ten strikeouts while giving up six hits. Craig Gibson came into the game as relief pitcher in the fifthinning to close out the game.

Australia took the early advantage in the game in the first inning whenlead their lead off hitter smashed a home run. They added another run inthe second inning and looked to be in control of the game until the bighit from Hale.

Once New Zealand took the lead in the fourth inning they never gave it upagain as the game stretched to almost three hours.

New Zealand A are back on the diamond now for game two of the serieswhile games three and four will be played tomorrow night.

By SNZ Media Liaison: Kelly Mitchell
* mailto:kelly.mitchell@xtra.co.nz

http://www.softball.org.nz/
*mailto:snz@softball.org.nz


Cheers Vance
Softball New Zealand web master.
 mailto:vanf@ihug.co.nz

OUR SPONSORS

TRENDING NOW
@alsfastball
FRIENDS OF AL'S FASTBALL
AU Sable AFP Fastpitch Fastpitch West International Softball Congress Men’s Fastpitch SA North American Fastpitch Association Ontario Amateur Softball Association

Ontario Masters Fastball sports betting site betway Shooters Fastpitch League Softball Canada Softball New Zealand WBSC