SOFTBALL WIN FOR NORTH ISLAND

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28169, 7 January 1957, Page 3

SOFTBALL WIN FOR NORTH ISLAND

The North Island representative softball team had a narrow 4-2 win over the South Island at English Park on Saturday in one of the closest games in the history of the competition. To reach a decision, two extra innings were called and of the 18 innings played, only four produced any runs.

North Island opened the game with a scoreless innings, and the South Island followed suit. After a 3-up 3-down in North’s second innings. South managed a man on base, but two strike-outs and a catch ended its hopes of scoring. The first score of the game came in North Island's third innings, when a passed ball and an overthrow gave it two runs. A sacrifice bunt by E. Hart allowed p. Lew to score for the South Island in its third innings, and North was scoreless once more at its turn to bat. A foul bunt on the third strike retired the South Island, and North was also scoreless on a fast peg by A. Hall and a fine catch in the outfield by B. Alderdyce. A. Hall made a safe drive to the left-field in the South’s fifth innings, but failed to get beyond second base at the retiring of the side. North’s sixth innings was 3-up 3-down, and South threatened with two on base at its turn to bat, but once more clever fielding held it scoreless. Scores Tied North Island went down to *a grand double play in its seventh, and amid great excitement. South Island tied the scores on a long hit by D. Lew. North was held scoreless in its first extra innings by a fine catch at left field by B. Alderdyce. and South was once more 3-up 3down in its eighth innings. North Island scored two more runs in its ninth innings on a passed ball, an error at first and a walk leaving the South Island three runs to make for a win, but two fly balls and a peg from short stop retired the side without addition to the score.

In spite of South’s loss, its pitcher, A. Ballantyne, of Canterbury, overshadowed his North Island counterparts. He pitched nine innings, allowing a minimum of walks with a maximum of accuracy. He was ably supported in both the in-fielders and out-fielders, who also took advantage of every opportunity offered for catchers and fast pegging. Box score. North Island: 0,0, 2. 0. 0,0, 0,0, 2—4. South Island, 0, 0. 1,0, 0,0, 1,0, o—2.