Black Sox advance at Softball World Cup
- NZ Sports Wire
- Jul 11
- 2 min read
The New Zealand Black Sox have moved on at the WBSC Softball World Cup despite losing their last group game.
The Black Sox fell 7-2 to Venezuela in their Group A finale at Prime Minister's Park in Pince Albert, Canada on Thursday (Friday NZ Time) but had their passage to the top-four Super Round confirmed when Argentina defeated Canada 7-3.
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Held to six hits by world No 5 Venezuela, the Black Sox's two runs came via lead-off home runs, designated player Thomas Enoka to left-centre in the fourth inning and short stop Cole Evans to right field in the sixth inning.
Evans went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Ben Enoka, Jerome Raemaki, Thomas Enoka and Beau Bishop had the other hits for the Black Sox, who struck out 10 times.
Pitcher Pita Rona picked up the loss after allowing three earned runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings of work, before Ben Watts gave up four runs on four hits in 3 1/3 innings in relief.
Venezuela blew the game open early with a four-run third inning for a 5-0 lead as they got to both Rona and Watts. The win also secured their place in the Super Round.
After a day off, the Black Sox will face the USA on Saturday, before playing Japan, along with a potential final or third-place playoff, on Sunday
