The New Zealand Black Sox have started two-for-two at the WBSC Softball World Cup qualifying tournament.
The Black Sox defeated Singapore 2-0 on Wednesday (Thursday NZ Time) and Israel 10-0 in four innings on Thursday (Friday NZT) to open their campaign at the WBSC Softball World Cup Group B tournament in Prince Albert, Canada.
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Against No 16 Israel, shortstop Cole Evans drove in four runs and first baseman Pita Rona three runs, both from home runs, while right fielder Reilly Makea went three-for-three at the plate, with one RBI.
After Hohepa Monk homered to open the scoring in the second inning, Evans crushed a 1-1 pitch to deep-centre field, bringing home Ben Enoka, Makea and Thomas Enoka for a 5-0 lead.
With the bases loaded again in the fourth inning, Makea and Thomas Enoka brought in the sixth and seventh runs with a single and sacrifice fly, respectively, before Rona got in on the home run action, belting the first pitch to left-centre field.
Winning pitcher Thomas Enoka, Liam Potts and Daniel Chapman combined for the four-inning no-hitter, striking out five batters. A walk issued by Chapman to start the bottom of the fourth prevented a combined perfect game.
The previous day, world No 10 New Zealand had a tough battle against Singapore, ranked just one spot below them.
Hits and runs were at a premium, with the Black Sox going 3-for-19 at the plate, with seven strikouts and four walks, and holding Singapore to 2-for-23, with nine strikeouts and three walks.
Starter Nik Hayes, Potts and Rona split the pitching duties, with Rona striking out five and allowing just one hit and one walk to shut the door on Singapore in the last three innings.
The Black Sox took the lead without a hit in the fourth inning. Evans reached on a fielding error, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball. Ben Enoka made it 2-0 in the fifth with a first-pitch homer to deep-centre field.
As they attempt to finish in the top-two to earn a guaranteed place at next year's WBSC Softball World Cup Finals, tougher games are coming for the Black Sox.
They face hosts and world No 3 Canada on Friday (1pm Saturday NZT), before a double-header on Saturday against world No 1 Argentina (7am Sunday NZT) and Hong Kong, ranked 24th, (10am Sunday NZT).
The Black Sox must finish in the top-four to reach the knock-out phase on Monday (Tuesday NZT). First and second will play for the World Cup Finals berth, with the loser getting a second shot against the winner of the third-fourth matchup.
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