New Zealand softball coach Mark Sorenson will be seeking improvement after the Black Sox lost a tournament in Argentina.

 

ORIGINAL ARTICLE by Tony Smith

The New Zealand Black Sox have some work to do their pitching and defence after a resounding 7-1 grand final loss to the host nation in an international softball mini-tournament in Argentina.

Mark Sorenson's Black Sox - ranked No 1 in the world - committed three errors in the final after making four fumbles in an earlier 2-0 loss to third-ranked Argentina at Parana.

New Zealand pitchers Nik Hayes and Josh Pettet were unable to dominate the Argentine batters in Sunday's final, taking just three strikeouts.

Argentina's hurlers, starter Maxi Montero and reliever Huemul Mata struck out 11 Kiwis.

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Campbell Enoka smashed a triple and scored on a fielder's choice for the Black Sox's only run in the top of the second inning.

Argentina scored twice in the fourth frame when Bruno Motroni doubled to bat in Alan Pekel before plating on Juan Zara's single.

The home side added another four runs in the fifth inning with Francescol Lombardo smashing a double and Zara batting in his second run of the game.

Argentina outbatted New Zealand six safe hit to five. Enoka, Wayne Laulu, Tyron Bartorillo, Zane van Lieshout and Isaac Fletcher had the Black Sox's hits.

Sorenson's side had to qualify for the final the hard way after losing 2-0 to Argentina in an eighth inning tiebreaker.

The Black Sox out-hit Argentina 4-2 but four fielding errors proved fatal, with two occurring in the tiebreaker - a wild throw by pitcher Hayes and a mistake at home plate by catcher Connor Peden.

Bartorillo, Peden, Laulu and Joel Evans collected hits for the Black Sox.

That defeat meant the Black Sox had to beat Parana All Stars to earn a second crack at Argentina.

They achieved their aim in five innings, winning 7-0 off seven safe hits, including a triple by Evans and a two-RBI double from Josh Harbrow.

The Black Sox thrashed the Czech Republic 10-1 on Saturday after racking up seven runs in the fourth inning.

Captain Thomas Enoka had two hits, including a double, his younger brother Campbell clouted a triple and Harbrow hit a two-bagger.

The Black Sox should bolster their lineup for the international series in Auckland in February with Auckland outfielder Ben Enoka and shortstop Cole Evans likely to return after missing the Argentina tour.

But Sorenson is sure to demand more from his men on the pitching mound and his defensive lineup.

Seven errors in two tournament playoff games is far too many for a team with the No 1 world ranking.

- Stuff