By Tony Smith from Stuff.co.nz
Finalists Confirmed at National Softball Tournament (New Zealand)
Auckland remains the power base of New Zealand softball with the men’s and women’s teams locking up their third consecutive national titles.
Venita Hokai’s women’s side produced a big inning to snare a 5-2 comeback victory over Wellington in the National Fastpitch Championship finale at Lower Hutt’s Fraser Park on Sunday.
The Auckland men – led by Black Sox stalwart Nathan Nukunuku – followed up with a 1-0 win against Wellington.
Auckland were well worth their win, collecting six safe hits to Wellington’s three, but could only get one runner across the plate.
Black Sox catcher Zane van Lieshout, the tournament’s leading batter going into the final day, slugged a double in the top of the second inning and slid home to score after a Wellington outfielder lost sight of the ball in the sun.
Japanese pitcher Kenta Okazaki was again in commanding form on the mound, allowing just two safe hits as he racked up eight strikeouts.