Softball coach happy

Press, 13 January 1986, Page 38

Softball coach happy

PA Hamilton The New Zealand women’s softball team added two more shut-out victories to its world championships warm-up list at Huntly yesterday.

The New Zealand side beat the national champion, Auckland, 4-0 and 6-0, at the Huntly West sports complex to extend its record of having no runs scored against it in six games. The national coach, Ed Dolejs, was a little disappointed that the games were not tougher for his side in preparation for its world title defence in Auckland starting next Saturday. He was more than happy, however, with the batting of his side which picked up seven safe hits in the first game off the pitching of an American, Laura Houle, and 10 in the second off Donna Meuli. Rita Fatialofa and Robyn Storer led the way with two hits each from three turns at bat in the first game while Robyn Rutter, Carol Moore and Jane Earnshaw all batted 1000 from two hits each in the second, including a home run by Rutter.

Mr Dolejs was also happy with the pitching of Cheryl Kemp and Gina Weber, who allowed only four safe hits, and both the fielding and base running of his team. The New Zealand side, which has also had doubleheader victories over North Shore and Counties so far, has a rest day today and completes the Hamiltonbased part of its build-up with games against Waikato and Bay of Plenty tonight. It will then move to Auckland where it will play another double-header against Auckland teams on Wednesday night