Oz bounce back against NZ A
December 6, 2006
Canberra, AU
Oz bounce back against NZ A
Wednesday December 6th 2006
A wounded Australian Development team have struck back against the New Zealand A men’s softball team tonight in Canberra picking up a 7-6 victory in the third game of the series.
Going into the games tonight at Hawker International Softball Complex the New Zealand team held a 2-0 series lead on the back to two victories yesterday. Down in the series and acutely aware of the need to record awin in the opening game tonight the home team fought hard to pick uptheir first victory in the series 7-6.
New Zealand A started the opening game tonight strongly picking up fourruns in the first inning and appearing to be in charge of the game. Australia pulled back one run in the bottom of the first inning via a home run and added two more run in the bottom of the fourth.
Consecutive home runs for New Zealand A in the fifth inning courtesy of Stephen Ratu and Lyndon Andrew looked to have the game in the bag for the visitors however three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and one more in the sixth to Australia Development saw them take out a tight victory.
For New Zealand A Fabian Makea, Stephen Ratu and Lyndon Andrew were consistent with the bat all picking up two hits each in the game. On the mound for the Kiwis Tane Richardson faced 23 batters and gave up seven hits while taking one strikeout. Craig Gibson came into the game in thefifth inning as relief pitcher and closed out the game giving up fourhits.
New Zealand A are back on the diamond now in Canberra in the final game of the series. Australia must win the game to tie the series while NewZealand A need a victory if they are to take the series outright.
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
