Last softball test to Philippines

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33154, 19 February 1973, Page 14

Last softball test to Philippines

(Neu? Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. The Philippines took only one safe hit off the 16-year-old Auckland pitcher, C. Kemp, in her debut for New Zealand yesterday, but that hit was enough to win the third and deciding test, 1-0. at White Park. Papatoetoe.

The Philippines, ranked third in the world in the last world series, lost 2-3 in the first test and won the second, 7-0. In the fifth innings the Filipino first base, A. Nabong, smacked the hardest hit of the day into the out-field. The New Zealand centre-

fielder, L. Parker, missed the pick-up, and the right-fielder B. Simpson, was slow in backing up. Simpson eventually recovered the ball, M. Rush took the in-field throw and re- [ layed the ball to the New] Zealand catcher, J. Foot, sol accurately that Nabong looked certain to get tagged, sliding home. But Foote dropped the ball.

Nabong scored and that—as far as runs went—was the end.

The Filipinos showed some brilliant fielding, most of it from the short-stop. M. Salazar. and the third base, J. Cruz.

New Zealand was much the better batting team but the very best of their hits were snapped off the ground or out of the air by these two fielders and sent unerringly to first base. The week-end was a triumph for young Kemp On Saturday she pitched Auckland to a 1-0 win in the eighth innings to give the Philippines their second loss of the tour.

She was given her chance to pitch for New Zealand yesterday, and only Cruz. Nabong, and C. Rey (twice) reached first base—Cruz and Rey on errors.