Big_hits_and_upsets_on_day_one_of_men’ss_ NZ

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Received: 3/22/06 3:40:01 AM 
From:  Vance <vance(at)vanf-graphics.co.nz> 
   
Subject:  Big_hits_and_upsets_on_day_one_of_men’ss_  
   

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Big hits and upsets on day one of men’s national club champs
Wednesday March 22nd 2006

It has been a tough day at the office for many of the pitchers
competingin day one of the New Zealand Community Trust Men’s
National SoftballClub Championships at Akina Park, Hastings today.

The opening day has been one for the batters with a lot of big
scorelines and a couple of upsets to the form book. 

Giants from Wairarapa caused the biggest upset of the day when
theydefeated top ranking Auckland Marist convincingly 7-0.  While
theAuckland side had a number of stars in their ranks such as
Samoan pitcherHeinie Shannon and NZCT Black Sox outfielder Gus
Leger they had no answerto the assault from Giants.

A star for the underdogs was pitcher Justin Karaitiana who dominated
theAuckland opposition with both the bat and the ball. Karaitiana
put hisside on the front foot in just the first inning when he
smashed a homerun with two runners on to give his side a three
run advantage. On themound Karaitiana was also strong as he limited
Auckland Marist to justfive hits in the game while taking nine
strikeouts. 

After picking up a three run lead in the first inning Giants
held tightto the advantage adding one more in the third inning
and another in thesixth. 

Another big name team to taste defeat today was Poneke Kilbirnie
who wentdown against Parklands Christchurch United 4-1. The Canterbury
sidealways had control of the game after they scored two runs
in the firstinning another one in the third and one more in the
sixth. The only replyfrom Poneke Kilbirnie came in the fourth
inning with one run. 

While consistent hitting was decisive for Parklands Christchurch
Unitedalso strong was pitcher Michael Gaiger who took 12 strikeouts
in the gamewhile conceding only six hits.  

For Poneke Kilbirnie NZCT Black Sox pitcher Marty Grant started
the gameon the mound and pitched the first five innings of the
game giving up sixhits while taking six strikeouts. Grant was
replaced on the mound afterfive innings by Vaero Hagai who gave
up two hits and took two strikeoutsfrom his time on the mound.


Also tasting a surprise defeat today was Porirua who went in
to thetournament as one of the form sides after claiming both
the Wellingtonand Intercity titles. However past results counted
for nothing againstRotorua Marist Magic as they went down 5-4
with fielding errors provingcostly in the game. It was a good
day for the Rotorua side as they pickedup two wins today defeating
both Porirua and Auckland United 12-2.
 
The five day tournament continues tomorrow with key games seeing
Miramartaking on Metro and Northcote playing Giants. Tomorrow
will also be vitalfor teams such as Auckland Marist, Porirua
and Poneke Kilbirnie as theylook to get their campaigns back
on track after the defeats they sufferedtoday.  

DAY 1 RESULTS -
Northcote 9 Johnsonville 2, 
Howick 5 Auckland United 1, 
Poneke Kilbirnie 9 Hutt Valley Dodgers 0, 
Hutt City United 5 Hawkes Bay Harvest 2, 
MtAlbert Ramblers    9 Waitakere Bears 0, 
Metro 8 PapanuiTigers 4, 
Hutt Valley Cardinals 17 Otahuhu    4, ParklandsChristchurch
United 4  Poneke Kilbirnie 1, Auckland Marist 3Johnsonville 0,

Porirua 15 Hawkes Bay Harvest 0, 
Rotorua Marist Magic12Auckland United 2, 
Waitakere Bears 6 Hutt Valley Dodgers 1, 
Mt AlbertRamblers    13 Blockbusters 0, 
Giants 5 Hutt ValleyMarist  4, 
Metro 6  Hutt Valley Cardinals 4,
Hutt City United 1 Howick 0, 
Northcote 6 Richmond Keas 4, 
Tamatea 6Otahuhu 0, 
Giants 7 Auckland Marist 0, 
Miramar 8 Tigers 1, 
Marist Magic 5Porirua 4, 
Parklands Christchurch United 20 Blockbusters 0, 
Hutt ValleyMarist 8 Richmond Keas 1.


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 

 

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