Sorry day for softballers

Press, 15 January 1986, Page 3

Sorry day for softballers

Canterbury lost decisively to North Shore and then fully extended Hutt Valley at the national boys’ under--18 softball tournament in Dunedin yesterday. Having already conceded seven runs, Canterbury’s only positive reply came in the sixth innings against North Shore. Errol Byrne got to first base on balls, stole to both second and third and reached home plate on a passed ball. In spite of that reverse, Canterbury threatened to upset Hutt Valley when it went ahead in the fourth innings. Byrne, who struck a three-base hit to right field, nd was again the scorer when he came home on an outfield hit by David Udwkcr Hutt Valley kept its title hopes alive by claiming three runs in the bottom of the sixth innings. Because of the injury suffered by Carl Tuinenga, the second-string pitcher, Mark Swift, was on the mound for

both matches and performed outstandingly when facing the strong Hutt Valley batting line-up. Other results were;— Southland 5, Otago 2; Hutt Valley 15, South Otago 0; Wellington 11, Bay of Plenty 0; Auckland 11, Southland 0; North Shore 4, Wellington 1; Auckland 13, South Otago 3; Otago v. Bay of Plenty rained off. • Canterbury had an easy win and a narrow defeat at the national under-16 girls’ softball tournament in Hamilton. In its first appearance yesterday Canterbury overwhelmed Far North, 13-0, with Tania Meier taking five strike-outs. Later, Canterbury recovered from three runs down at the bottom of the sixth to reduce its deficit against Horowhenua to 45, but it could not overtake its rival. Mandy Karatau, of Canterbury, leads the tournament batting averages with .800 after two days.