NZ A take 2-0 test series lead
December 6, 2006
Canberra, AU
NZ A take 2-0 test series lead
Wednesday December 6th
Overnight the New Zealand A men’s softball team made a winning start totheir four game test series against the Australian Development team withvictories in the opening two matches in Canberra.
New Zealand A won the opening game 7-6 and then backed that up with a 6-3victory in the late game.
After taking the win in the early game the New Zealand A team didn’t reston their laurels and instead were intent on continuing their winning format the Hawker International Softball Complex in Canberra.
After the home side took the early advantage in the first inning with onerun the New Zealand A team struck back with interest in the third inningscoring two runs to take the lead. Australia hit back with two runs oftheir own in the bottom of the third inning to wrestle the lead backagain before the Kiwi team scored four runs in the sixth inning to winthe game 6-3.
Performing strongly with the bat for New Zealand A was Jonathan Mundenwho picked up three hits and one RBI from four at bats. Also contributingwas Stephen Ratu who picked up two RBI’s from one hit.
Defensively pitcher Craig Gibson was dominant for New Zealand A as hepitched the full game and kept the Australian hitters tied down. Gibsonfaced 31 batters and gave up just four hits while taking six strikeouts.
In the early game outfielder Bernard Hale was the star with the bat ashis grand slam home run in the fourth inning set his team on track forthe victory. Pitcher Tane Richardson also did a sterling job on the moundcontaining the Australian hitters.
Holding a 2-0 lead in the four game series the New Zealand A team will belooking for the clean sweep tonight in the final two games of the matchup before the team fly home 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
