Auck. keeps softball record intact

Press, 30 December 1982, Page 3

Auck. keeps softball record intact

PA Dunedin The big-hitting Richard Humphreys, kept Auckland's unbeaten record intact at the national men’s softball championships at Logan Park yesterday with another fine batting display in his side’s 3-1 win over Hutt Valiev.

Humphreys batted 1000 for the second time in three games and had a hand in two of Auckland’s three runs.

Humphreys began Auckland’s scoring with a huge drive over leftfield to put the ball out of the park for his second automatic home run of the tournament at the top of the first innings. Jimmy Cotter, the New Zealand utility, finally found his form with the bat and played a similar shot at the bottom of the third to equalise for Hutt Valley. Humphreys looked to have set Auckland up for another score in the top of the fourth with a two-base hit, but a fine piece of fielding from Cotter saw Humphreys’ replacement runner Allen Russell out at home plate, and the scores remained level until the top of the sixth when Auckland scored twice.

Humphreys again led the way with a drive down the right line and Eddie Kohlase followed with a single through centre field. Robert Todd, Auckland's designated hitter. was walked and with loaded bases, Steve Schultz replaced Loren Algar on the pitcher's mound for Hutt.

Barry Casely narrowly failed with a brilliant attempt to catch Gordon King from a high fly ball to right

field and King's two-base hit saw Humphreys and Kohlase come home to win the match for Auckland. The result assured Auckland of a place in the semifinals. but left Hutt Valley with an uphill battle to gain a berth. Hutt requires two wins from its matches against Counties. Canterbury and Wellington. Canterbury kept its chances of making the top four cut-off alive with a convincing 4-0 victory over Waikato.

The Canterbury runs came in the bottom of the first innings when the batters strung together some powerful hits. Jimmy Hall scored on a passed ball, Graeme Anderson on a hit by Roy Ah Kuoi. Ah Kuoi on a hit by Paul Shannon, and Ray Marsh on a sacrifice by Maia Toa.

The only danger for Canterbury had been in the top of the first when the Waikato batters took three hits off the pitching of Robert “Chub” Tangaroa, but a good throw by Wayne Poore took out the lead runner at home.

Canterbury's six hits came from Anderson (2), Ah Kuoi. Hall, Marsh, and Shannon. Tangaroa faced 25 batters, getting four strikeouts and giving up the three hits and two walks.

The Canterbury team must now beat North Shore this afternoon and then either Hutt Valley in the early evening game or Auckland tomorrow.

In its morning game, Canterbury played well against Wellington, but suffered a 0-2 loss.

The Canterbury team loaded the bases with two down in the bottom of the fourth only for the pinchhitter. John Daly, to be struck-out by Michael White. Again, in the bottom of the seventh Canterbury should have scored with runners on first and third bases and only one down. But the chance ‘went begging. Both Wellington's runs came in the top of the third innings. Jeff Strom scored from third when an illegal pitch was called on Jimmy Hall and was followed home by Wayne Nichols after a safe hit by Peter Hartley. White, who had struck-out an amazing 20 batters against North Shore the previous day. managed only six “Ks” against Canterbury. Ah Kuoi and Jimmy Hall (two-bagger) managed safe hits. Hall pitched well in taking two strike-outs and giving up five hits and two walks. Results: A GRADE Wellington 2. Canterbury nil; Auckland 4, Waikato 1; Counties 3. Southland 1; Hutt Valley 5. North Shore 1; Wellington 4. Counties nil; Canterbury 4. Waikato nil; Southland 4. North Shore nil; Auckland 3. Hutt Valiev 1. B GRADE

Otago 3. South Canterbury nil; N.Z. Services 10, Taupo 1; North Otago 11. South Otago 2: Eastern Southland 5. Taranaki 3: Otago 2. North Otago 1; Taranaki 5, Mid Canterbury 4; N.Z. Services 10. South Otago nil; Eastern Southland 9. Taupo 2; Otago 13. South Otago nil; Eastern Southland 7. Mid Canterbury nil; North Otago 13. Taupo 5.