Black Sox open tour with victory
Tuesday June 12th 2007
The New Zealand Community Trust Black Sox opened their North American tour today with a comfortable 5-0 victory over Jarvis Merchants in Vancouver Jarvis, Ontario.
A feature of the win was some big hitting from Rhys Casley and strong pitching by Jeremy Manley.
For many of the NZCT Black Sox players today’s game was their first since the end of the New Zealand season in April. Given the time away from the playing diamond there was a slow start to the game for many.
From the mound pitcher Manley was strong as he denied the home sides hitters any chances. In just his second season with the NZCT Black Sox Manley was dominant as he pitched the opening four innings and faced just 13 batters taking six strikeouts and giving up no hits. Canterbury’s Michael Gaiger came into the game in the fifth inning as was just as dominant he faced 10 batters and gave up just one hit while taking four strikeouts.
Once they got into the game the NZCT Black Sox hitters were just as dominant as the New Zealand side’s pitchers. Rhys Casley set the game alight with two automatic home runs in the game for three RBI’s from his three at bats. Another to smash the ball out of the park was Patrick Shannon who picked up two hits in the game.
Game two of the double header today against Jarvis Merchants was reduced to five innings. The second game of the double header was a tight affair which didn’t go the way of the NZCT Black Sox as the home team took out a 3-2 win.
The NZCT Black Sox will be back on the diamond tomorrow as they play another double header against Kitchener Hallman Twins in Travistock, Ontario.
