Women’s Softball AUSTRALIA BEATEN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29727, 22 January 1962, Page 17

Women’s Softball AUSTRALIA BEATEN

Canterbury Too Good Canterbury, the New Zealand champion softball side, beat Australia 7-5, in the first game of its New Zealand tour on Saturday. Australia impressed as a good fielding and strong batting unit, which should improve with the tour. The Australian captain, G. Phillips, impressed as a surefielding, fast-throwing third base woman. Canterbury entered its last innings with the score even, 5-all. C. Mull-ally was on first base after a drive and N. Beale hit deep to the outfield to bring in two previous runs, which Australia could not overhaul.

Australia won the toss and with Canterbury’s first three batters forced out at first base, Australia replied. Its first batter, N. Smith, wa* caught in the outfield and then M. Scott scored a two base; she went to third on a hit by E. McKenzie and scored on a fielder’s choice, a catch retiring the side. L. Parish and J. Hudson hit on in Canterbury’s second innings and advanced on a sacrifice hit by M. Hapuku. A good bunt by C. Brown allowed L. Parish to score and she was fol lowed by Hudson, who stole home on a fumble. Canterbury, with C. Brown at third base, failed to add to its score when the next batters were struck out and forced out,

Three catches retired Australia, three-up, three-down. Canterbury, three-up, threedown in the third innings held Australia scoreless with one on. Parish was caught out, but Hudson was safely to second on errors. A hit by Hapuku sent her to third base and she scored on errors; a catch and force out retired the next two batters.

Australia’s F. Ireland was out to a pop-fly in reply The next batter, R Ghe rardin. was walked and then stole to second. The next batter was struck out and Gherardin scored on errors which allowed G. Phi [lips to first. Further errors allowed Nelson in, but a good catch by Mullally retired the side. Good hits by M Gaskell and Mullally and an error allowed Canterbury to load the bases in the fifth innings and from a good twobase hit by B. Makinson two runners scored. A good drive to the outfield by Hudson was well taken by N. Whittingham who. with an excellent throw, oegged the ball home to allow Nelson to tag out Beale for a good double play. Australia’s first batter up. N. Smith, hit on and scored on a long three-base hit by Scott, who scored on a fielder’s choice Whittingham, the next batter, hit on and stole second; she advanced to third on a hit by Gherardin and scored on a hard drive to Makinson. An outfield catch dismissed the side with the score even. Both teams were three-up, three-down in the sixth innings.

In Canterbury’s seventh innings Gaskell drove the ball to the outfield where Whittingham took a good catch. She was followed by Mu Hally who made first base safely In a dive. The next batter. Beale, drove the ball deep to the outfield for a home run to bring in two runs. The next two batters were caught out to end the Canterbury’s batting.

Australia was trailing by two runs and first batter Scott was out to an outfield catch. The next batter was forced out. N., Whittingham followed with a hit. but to no avail. as, Gbprardin drove the ball to left field into the safe hands of Brown to end the game. Canterbury's pitcher, Makinson, who gained three strike outs, conceded two walks and gave up seven hits. While E Robinson struck out one batter. <he did not concede a walk and gave un eight hits. N Whittingham. who c?me on in the fifth innings, gaiged two safe hits out of two times to bat and M Scott hit a two and three-base hit out of four times to bat. Box scores: ? Canterbury.—o. 2. 0. 1. 2. 0. 2 Australia —<l, 0. 0. 1, 3. 0, 0—