This Month's News
March2015

Canterbury club Albion win national men's softball title

March 15, 2015

Albany, NZ

 

ORIGINAL STORY by Tony Smith

TOUGH TO HIT: Kurt Schollum struck out 11 batters as Albion defeated Auckland United 4-3 to claim the national men's interclub title at Albany.

Young pitcher Kurt Schollum and infielder Josh Harbrow may have clinched places in the Black Sox world championship squad after helping drive Canterbury champions Albion to the national men's interclub title.

Schollum, a pick up player from Marlborough, was voted top pitcher and Harbrow, who hammered a two-run home run in the final, was voted MVP (most valuable player) as Albion beat defending champions Auckland United 4-3 in the championship game at Albany on Sunday.

They were timely contributions with the Black Sox squad due to be named on Tuesday.

Albion became the first Canterbury club to win the national championship since Christchurch United in 2001. It was the Albion club's first men's title, more than 30 years after their women's team won the 1980 and 1982 crowns.

Albion player-coach Aiden Cocker said "the Black Sox guys" led their title charge. "But the whole team chipped in as well. The boys came together really well during the week."

But he acknowledged Schollum "made a huge difference" on the mound. "Having Kurty meant we could shut good hitting teams down. Kurt pitched most of the games and Penese [2013 Black Sox pitcher Penese Iosefo] came in for a couple of games; our pitchign staff was very strong."

Cocker said Black Sox third baseman Harbrow "hit well all week" and led the infield defence at shortstop.

The victory was a "a big thrill" for a core of Albion players, including Harbrow, Iosefo, Cocker, Ant Stuart and veterans Paul Stead and Clayton Ellis, who have been together for a long spell, including a stint with Richmond Keas.

It capped a successful seven days for Albion, who retained their Canterbury club title on March 8.

Albion got the perfect start to the final, scoring two runs in the first inning when Stuart and Harbrow scored after safe hits by Black Sox hopeful Frank Pointon and Stead.

Harbrow doubled their lead to 4-0 when he put the ball out of the park with Marlborough pickup Kyle Marfell on base. 

That inspired Auckland United to yank starting pitcher Bayley Hoani, who conceded five hits and three walks in his short stint.

Thomas Enoka came on and shut up shop, taking 11 strikeouts without conceding a hit to the Albion batters.

Schollum was equally tight-fisted, striking out 11 United men for six hits and four walks.

United pulled back a run in the third inning when Isaac Fletcher hit a double to score Enoka.

Fletcher singled again in the fifth and Tamihana Nau cracked a two-bagger to drive in two runs and make it a one-run ball game. But Albion clung on for a deserved win.

Schollum had dominated the 1-0 semifinal win over 12-time national champions Poneke Kilbirnie. He struck out 14 batters, including power hitter Jovaan Hanley three times.

The Enoka brothers starred in Auckland United's 4-0 semifinal win over Hutt Valley Dodgers. Thomas Enoka slammed a home run, Campbell Enoka hit a double and Ben Enoka picked up two safe hits. Dodgers' Black Sox infielder Joel Evans won the tournament's top batter award.

 - Stuff

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