Black Sox fall at final World Cup hurdle
- NZ Sports Wire
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The New Zealand Black Sox have finished runners-up at the WBSC Softball World Cup in Canada.
The seven-time champions went down 3-0 in a pitcher's duel to Venezuela, who claimed their first world title, in the tournament decider at Prime Minister's Park in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on Sunday (Monday NZ Time).
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Three Venezuelan pitchers held the Black Sox to just three hits in seven scoreless innings, led by starter and winning pitcher Maiker Pimentel, who tossed 5 2/3 innings, conceding just one hit while striking out nine and issuing two walks.
New Zealand's hits came from shortstop Cole Evans, left fielder Thomas Enoka and first baseman Seth Gibson, but the Black Sox only got four runners into scoring position in seven innings.
Two swings changed the game, with Pedro Flores hitting a lead-off homer off Liam Potts in the third inning, and Barreto Rodriguez crushing a two-run bomb to deep centre field off Pita Rona in the sixth inning.
The Black Sox best scoring chances came in the first and sixth innings, when they got runners to third base.
In the first, Ben Enoka walked before Cole Evans singled him over to third with one out. But Reilly Makea and Thomas Enoka both popped out to end the threat.
With the game still 1-0 to start the sixth, New Zealand put runners at second and third with two outs when Thomas Enoka singled and Gibson doubled to left-centre field. But pinch-hitter Tane Mumu hit a pop-fly in foul territory to strand two.
The Black Sox were sent down in order in three innings, including the seventh, when Beau Bishop hit a line drive to the third baseman, then pinch hitter Hohepa Monk and Ben Enoka both struck out swinging to end the game.
Potts finished the tournament with the second-best ERA at 2.45, while Gibson had the third-best slugging percentage (1.182) and fifth-best batting average (.455), and Makea was tied for most runs scored, with six.
Three Black Sox players were selected in the All-World Team - Potts, Evans and Ben Enoka, while Evans was named Best Defensive Player.
For New Zealand, it was the country's 10th appearance in a world championship final. They have won the final game six times (1984, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2013, and 2017), and have finished runners-up in five editions (1988, 1992, 2009, 2015 and 2025). In 1976, they shared the gold medal with Canada and USA, as the playoffs could not be completed.