Bridgeport Braves Played "good" host to the New Zealand Black Sox last night at Kitchener's Woodside Park, in a 16-3 Black Sox win.

 

The Braves Todd Winkworth started off the game on the mound and proceeded to strike out their lead off hitter Nathan Nukunnuku, and then enticed left fielder Gareth Cooke to pop out to third base. The Black Sox then turned up the heat and proceed to score 8 consecutive runs in the 1st inning lead by Travis Wilson & Thomas Makea Home Runs (or as John Thompson liked to announce them as *Automatics* )

The Braves answered back in the bottom of the 1st inning with 1 run of their own, with a walk to Terry Eaton, and two back to back singles by Ross Herald and Jamie Boyd. The Second inning was much tamer with only NZ's Travis Wilson, hitting his Second Home Run of the game.

The Braves owned the Black Sox's in the 3rd inning out scoring them 2-0, thanks to a two run shot by Braves Catcher Ross Herald, but that was all the Braves could muster the rest of the way against New Zealand's up and coming 19 year old pitcher Thomas Enoka.

The Black Sox continued their torrid hitting scoring 3 more in the fourth on home runs by Catcher Patrick Shannon and Rhys Casley, and wrapped things up in the 5th with 5  more runs lead by Gareth Cooke inning lead off HR.

 

Travis Wilson, lead the Black Sox attack with two Home Runs and two singles, Thomas Enoka got the win giving up 3 runs on 7 hits and registered 8 strike outs. While Bridgeport's Todd Winkworth took the loss giving up 8 runs on 10 hits, and 1 strike out. Mark Van Vliet came on in relief and gave up 8 runs on 11 hits.

 

It was an honour and pleasure to play against the 3 time Defending World ISF Champion New Zealand Black Sox,and wish them a safe trip to Saskatoon to defend their title July 17-26th

 

The Braves wish to thank Larry Lynch for the invitation to play the Black Sox, along with Kitchener Fastball Promotions and all the Volunteers for putting on a great night of "FASTBALL"

 

Rick Boyd

Bridgeport Braves