Strong performance from New Zealand Red takes them to victory

[Al Doran]

Received: 2/4/06 7:47:44 PM 
From:  Vance <vance at vanf-graphics.co.nz>    
Subject:  Strong performance from New Zealand Red takes them
to victory  
  

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Strong performance from New Zealand Red takes them to victory
Saturday February 4th 2006

Power hitting and precision fielding has taken New Zealand Red
to theirfirst win in the Trans Tasman International Women’s Softball
Series atResthills Park, Hamilton today.

In a fine display of softball New Zealand Red defeated New South
Wales8-4 in a game they never looked like losing. 

New Zealand Red team coach Lynda O’Cain was a happy woman following
herside’s victory and believes the team’s loss earlier in the
day againstAustralia 13-1 actually gave her girls some confidence
as they managed totake a run off the Olympic silver medallists.

“We were always looking at this game against New South Wales
as one wecould win. The fact we took a run off Australia I think
gave us a bitmore confidence because we knew New South Wales
weren’t going to be anytougher,” said O’Cain.

Against New South Wales the New Zealand Red team were always
in front onthe scoreboard. In the top of the first inning lead
off hitter Upu Lotesingled followed by Sheree Cartwright who
also picked up a hit to put tworunners on base. The decisive
blow of the inning came next whenoutfielder Maleme Williams double
to centre field to score both Lote andCartwright.

The New Zealand team went further ahead in the second inning
when UpuLote scored again along with Carmelle Sorensen. New South
Wales peggedone run back in the third inning to pull the score
back to 4-1.

After conceding one run the New Zealand side struck straight
back as UpuLote smashed the ball over the centre field fence
with Katrina Stockfordon base to add another two runs to the
Kiwi tally.

New South Wales picked up a home run of their own in the bottom
of thefourth inning when Renee Gloss hit the ball out of the
park with a runneron base to narrow the scores up again.

After fighting so hard and playing so well the New Zealand team
were notready to relinquish their lead without a fight. In the
top of the seventhinning the Kiwi side added two more runs when
Sheree Cartwright hit theball over the centre field fence with
Melisa Upu on base. 

New South Wales could pull back just one run in the bottom of
the seventhinning giving New Zealand Red the victory 8-4.

There were a number of strong performers for the New Zealand
Red teamtoday with shortstop Upu Lote picking up three hits from
four at batsincluding a home run. 

Catcher Carmelle Sorenson also played well making her internationalsoftball
debut. The 16-year-old held the game together well, made a goodtag
out at home plate and picked up a hit with the bat.

“This is her first full international and for a junior to come
into atough game like that it is an outstanding performance,”
said New ZealandRed coach Lynda O’Cain.

Pitching New Zealand to victory was Sheree Cartwright who faced
20batters giving up seven hits, one walk and three runs while
taking onestrikeout. Cartwright was replaced on the mound in
the fifth inning byCarina Hale who pitched to 13 batters picking
up three strikeouts whilegiving up four hits and one run.

New Zealand Red team coach Lynda O’Cain believes the win will
give herside another confidence boost as they look to continue
their winning formand book a place in the series final.

“I have always said softball is about fundamentals but it is
no goodhaving fundamentals if you don’t have self belief because
at this levelyou must believe in yourself and back yourself and
this win will help uscontinue with confidence in the series,”
said O’Cain. 

While the New Zealand Red team have picked up a win today results
havenot gone the way of the New Zealand Black team who are also
taking partin the series. The Black team opened the day with
a 13-1 loss against NewSouth Wales and backed that up with a
hard fought 3-0 defeat againstAustralia.      

The Trans Tasman Series runs through to Monday February 6th with
the fourteams completing a double round robin looking for a place
in the final onMonday afternoon.

The series is something of a trial for the two New Zealand selectionteams
as New Zealand Community Trust White Sox coach Mike Walsh preparesto
name his side to represent New Zealand at the world championships
inAugust.
  
Trans Tasman Series, Resthills Park, Hamilton. 
Day 2 Results – New South Wales 13 New Zealand Black 1, Australia
13 NewZealand Red 1, New Zealand Red 8 New South Wales 4,  Australia
3 NewZealand Black 0.
Day 1 Results – Australia 3 New South Wales 1, New Zealand Black
5 NewZealand Red 3.


By SNZ Media Liaison: Kelly Mitchell
* mailto:kelly.mitchell at xtra.co.nz 

http://www.softball.org.nz/
*mailto:snz at softball.org.nz 


Cheers Vance 
Softball New Zealand web master.
* mailto:vance at vanf-graphics.co.nz 

 

Al Doran, CHRP
Phenix Management Int'l, 
10520 Yonge St.
Unit 35B, Suite 217
Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 3C7
(Office Phone: +1.416-505-6204
(Office Fax: +1.416-352-7456
*Email: aldoran at pmihrm.com
 and http://www.hrmsbook.com and http://www.pmihrm.com

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