Braves win, despite batting woes
Tiebreak victory ensures Whanganui club has the final word
In a game against a strong Bluesox lineup, the depleted Ezi Finance Wanganui Braves struggled once again with the bat, giving up 15 strikeouts, but winning the game on a tie break in the eighth inning of the Manawatu senior men’s premier grade match.
Braves travelled to Palmerston North on Saturday with a bare nine players again, with regulars Richie Smith, Peter Flood and player/coach Shane Foster participating in the annual Evergreens tournament in Hastings, while others had work commitments.
The game was a nil-all affair until the eighth inning when the tie breaker rule had to be applied.
Bluesox failed to get their runner home when Braves pitcher Brad Worsley shut their batters out, striking out all three.
Jamie Hollis was put on second base for Braves in the bottom of the eighth. Marama Savage stepped up to the plate and drove the ball through the Bluesox shortstop to bring home Hollis, winning the game for Braves.
“With the business end of the season upon us, we need to really focus on our batting. We can’t win games if we are struggling to move the ball,” Foster said.
Dodgers are hopefully travelling to Whanganui to play Braves and Mustangs this coming weekend. And with the highly anticipated local derby game against Mustangs on Sunday, Whanganui will see a lot of senior softball action this weekend.
Meanwhile, Castlecliff club Mustangs played Bluesox in a Manawatu reserve grade thriller. Mustangs scored their first run at the bottom of the second inning.
Aaron Mahoney reached first base, stole second and after an intelligent bunt by Duane Paranihi, followed by an overthrow at first, allowed Mahoney to score and Paranihi to put himself on second. However, the next batter was taken out. Bluesox strung a series of base hits and a home run together to score six runs.
At Mustangs’ next turn at bat the Bluesox pitcher walked two batters and, with a couple of stolen bases, Mustangs had runners on second and third.
Matty Ranga hit deep to right field, scoring the two runners, only to be tagged out in a very close call at home. Bluesox were leading 6-3.
Going into their last turn at bat, the Mustangs had two runners on base thanks to another couple of walks. Tyrone Pirere stepped into the batter’s box, smashing the ball to the centrefield for a home run scoring the two runners and himself to tie the game at 6-6. The next two batters were taken out.
Up stepped Jefferson Yacap calmly hitting to centrefield, and with all engines firing, beat the throw to reach third base.
Ben Hollis then hit to the outfield to score Yacap and win the game.
Coach Ron Hollis said after the game that it was pressure batting at its best. “I didn't think we would do it, but the boys came through when it counted.”
The Castlecliff Mustangs Black team had another close game, winning 7-6. The young boys in this team, along with some experienced players, are performing above their weight in the division. Coach Shaun Pirere has done a great job with his team.