Day 6
Casley leads from the front in win over Netherlands
Black Sox skipper Rhys Casley has had his share of challenges in recent weeks, but provided the highlight of his side’s 11-0 win over the Netherlands at the Tradestaff ISF World Softball Championship in Auckland.
Battling back from shoulder surgery late last year, he seemed on the point of withdrawing from the event after aggravating the injury during the build-up.
At best, he was considered doubtful as a fielder, but also needed to find form in the batter’s box.
So his two-run homer that sailed over the right-field fence in the fifth inning suggested his mojo was back. Outfielder Wayne Laulu and designated batter Patrick Shannon also went long in quick succession, and Casley returned to knock in the final two runs of a mercy-rule finish.
“The shoulder is still a work in progress, but it’s feeling pretty good,” he said afterwards. “It was just good to get a couple of at-bats and contribute on the field, as opposed to off it.
“It’s been a long couple of days sitting on the bench, it’s been frustrating. I don’t know what’s harder – playing or not playing.
“I’m not 100% just yet, but hopefully I can keep hitting tomorrow and work my way into the hitting line-up.”
Up against a team with only one win to their name this week, coach Eddie Kohlhase took the opportunity to test his depth, starting Casley in the field for the first time and giving pitcher Jeremy Manley his first start on the mound.
New Zealand were quickly out to a two-run lead, when Jarrad Martin hit a single to bring Ben Enoka and Casley home. But Netherlands pitcher Jeroen Mulder managed to avoid further early damage, striking out catcher Aaron Stroman-Neemia to end the inning with loaded bases.
Short-stop Tyson Byrne scored fellow infielder Tyron Bartorillo with a sacrifice fly in the second inning, but the real damage was done in the eight-run fifth, where the first six batters all crossed home plate.
“That was outstanding hitting at the end there,” assessed Kohlhase. “A lot of at-bats went deep into the count, which showed we weren’t excited about swinging at the first pitch – we waited and waited for the good strikes.
“Rhys was fantastic. It’s been a tough road for him and he hasn’t had a lot of game time, but we’ll need him at the business end of the season in some area of the game.”
After surrendering a lead with a three-run homer in the loss to Canada two nights ago, Manley was another in need of some confidence and thoroughly enjoyed his work tonight. Like Casley, he went under the knife late last year for a knee injury and had it’s been a long hard road back to fitness.
He responded with five efficient innings, allowing just three hits and taking 11 strikeouts.
“It was nice to get my feet wet again,” Manley said. “It’s been a while since I started, but I had a nice warm-up and I was just trying to find that location.
“It’s starting to come back slowly, but surely.”
New Zealand (5-1) take on the winless Philippines in their final pool game tomorrow and then look certain to meet champions Australia when the playoffs begin on Friday.
The Aussies barely escaped with a 3-2 final-inning win over Samoa tonight, Japan beat the Philippines 9-0, Canada overcame Colombia 8-0, Argentina headed Mexico 2-0, the United States accounted for Venezuela 9-3, South Africa enjoyed a 6-1 result over Indonesia and Great Britain edged Czech Republic 7-4.
NZ Black Sox 11 (Ben Enoka 2, Rhys Casley 2/HR, Tyron Bartorillo,Tyson Byrne 2, Jarrad Martin, Wayne Laulu HR, Patrick Shannon HR, Daniel Milne) Netherlands 0
South Africa 6 Indonesia 1
A grand slam home run from Renier Viljoen set South Africa up for their second win of the 2013 Tradestaff world championship. Viljoen’s blow came in the sixth inning and gave his side a four run cushion after the African nation had opened the scoring in the third inning.
United States 9 Venezuela 1
A trademan like performance from the USA team saw them maintain their hopes of making the final four in their pool with the side inflicting a second loss on the Venezuela side.
For the US team Matt Palazzo, Marcus Tan and Frank de Groot were the chief destroyers. The trio batted in six runs between them while on the mound Gerald Muizelaar gave up just three hits.
Japan 9 Philippines 0
Japan continued picked up from where they left off in their game against Canada on Day five with a comfortable win over the Philippines, who have yet to record a win at the tournament.
Helping the Japanese cause were fourth inning home runs from Tomoki Shimada and Naoaki Kawada.
Great Britain 7 Czech Republic 4
Great Britain continued their improvement at the tournament to pick up a confidence boosting win over their European rivals.
Rocked in the first inning when the side conceded a run, Great Britain soon got their confidence back helped by an over the fence blow off Darrin Newson’s bat. That hit also scored Luke Peters. The side added another two runs in the third and a single run in the fourth then to finish the game pinch hitter James Chalmer came and collected a hit over the left centre field fence.
On the mound for Great Britain, James Darby finished with 10 strikeouts and gave up four hits, one was a home run to Patrik Kolkus, who is among the tournament’s leading hitters.
Canada 8 Colombia 0
Canada confirmed their top spot for the play-offs with a convincing win over Colombia in just four innings.
Among the standout performers for the team, Ryan Boland and Andy Skelton both had over-the-fence blows. Skelton hitting his in the fourth inning which also scored Bryan Abrey and Skelton’s a solo effort in the fifth.
Australia 3 Samoa 2
Australia almost had its bubble burst by the Samoans with that side needing just three outs to end their Oceania cousins unbeaten run at the tournament. However, a combination of disciplined batting and good hitting saw Australia snatch victory.
Argentina 2 Mexico 0
Argentina kept alive their hopes of reaching the top four with a workman like 2-0 over Mexico. For Argentina Bruno Montroni opened the run account in the fourth inning and Lautaro Ferrara got the insurance run in the fifth.
Pitching for the Argentina side, Maximiliano Montero finished the game with 17 strikeouts for just four hits.
Black Sox 11 Netherlands 0
Black Sox captain Rhys Casley got his 2013 Tradestaff world softball championship campaign back on the right path with the infielder not only taking his place at second base but also picking up his first over-the-fence blow of the tournament. His hit was in the fifth inning and also scored his club, provincial and national team-mate Tyson Byrne, it also saw the Black Sox jump out to a 5-0 lead. In that fifth inning the world number two side showed just why they are considered to be one of the most powerful hitting teams in the sport – also putting the ball over the outfield fence was Wayne Laulu and Patrick Shannon. In all the Black Sox collected nine hits.
On the pitching mound, Jeremy Manley faced 17 batters and gave up only three hits and took 11 strikeouts.
Black Sox skipper Rhys Casley has had his share of challenges in recent weeks, but provided the highlight of his side’s 11-0 win over the Netherlands at the Tradestaff ISF World Softball Championship in Auckland.
Battling back from shoulder surgery late last year, he seemed on the point of withdrawing from the event after aggravating the injury during the build-up.
At best, he was considered doubtful as a fielder, but also needed to find form in the batter’s box.
So his two-run homer that sailed over the right-field fence in the fifth inning suggested his mojo was back. Outfielder Wayne Laulu and designated batter Patrick Shannon also went long in quick succession, and Casley returned to knock in the final two runs of a mercy-rule finish.
“The shoulder is still a work in progress, but it’s feeling pretty good,” he said afterwards. “It was just good to get a couple of at-bats and contribute on the field, as opposed to off it.
“It’s been a long couple of days sitting on the bench, it’s been frustrating. I don’t know what’s harder – playing or not playing.
“I’m not 100% just yet, but hopefully I can keep hitting tomorrow and work my way into the hitting line-up.”
Up against a team with only one win to their name this week, coach Eddie Kohlhase took the opportunity to test his depth, starting Casley in the field for the first time and giving pitcher Jeremy Manley his first start on the mound.
New Zealand were quickly out to a two-run lead, when Jarrad Martin hit a single to bring Ben Enoka and Casley home. But Netherlands pitcher Jeroen Mulder managed to avoid further early damage, striking out catcher Aaron Stroman-Neemia to end the inning with loaded bases.
Short-stop Tyson Byrne scored fellow infielder Tyron Bartorillo with a sacrifice fly in the second inning, but the real damage was done in the eight-run fifth, where the first six batters all crossed home plate.
“That was outstanding hitting at the end there,” assessed Kohlhase. “A lot of at-bats went deep into the count, which showed we weren’t excited about swinging at the first pitch – we waited and waited for the good strikes.
“Rhys was fantastic. It’s been a tough road for him and he hasn’t had a lot of game time, but we’ll need him at the business end of the season in some area of the game.”
After surrendering a lead with a three-run homer in the loss to Canada two nights ago, Manley was another in need of some confidence and thoroughly enjoyed his work tonight. Like Casley, he went under the knife late last year for a knee injury and had it’s been a long hard road back to fitness.
He responded with five efficient innings, allowing just three hits and taking 11 strikeouts.
“It was nice to get my feet wet again,” Manley said. “It’s been a while since I started, but I had a nice warm-up and I was just trying to find that location.
“It’s starting to come back slowly, but surely.”
New Zealand (5-1) take on the winless Philippines in their final pool game tomorrow and then look certain to meet champions Australia when the playoffs begin on Friday.
The Aussies barely escaped with a 3-2 final-inning win over Samoa tonight, Japan beat the Philippines 9-0, Canada overcame Colombia 8-0, Argentina headed Mexico 2-0, the United States accounted for Venezuela 9-3, South Africa enjoyed a 6-1 result over Indonesia and Great Britain edged Czech Republic 7-4.
NZ Black Sox 11 (Ben Enoka 2, Rhys Casley 2/HR, Tyron Bartorillo,Tyson Byrne 2, Jarrad Martin, Wayne Laulu HR, Patrick Shannon HR, Daniel Milne) Netherlands 0
South Africa 6 Indonesia 1
A grand slam home run from Renier Viljoen set South Africa up for their second win of the 2013 Tradestaff world championship. Viljoen’s blow came in the sixth inning and gave his side a four run cushion after the African nation had opened the scoring in the third inning.
United States 9 Venezuela 1
A trademan like performance from the USA team saw them maintain their hopes of making the final four in their pool with the side inflicting a second loss on the Venezuela side.
For the US team Matt Palazzo, Marcus Tan and Frank de Groot were the chief destroyers. The trio batted in six runs between them while on the mound Gerald Muizelaar gave up just three hits.
Japan 9 Philippines 0
Japan continued picked up from where they left off in their game against Canada on Day five with a comfortable win over the Philippines, who have yet to record a win at the tournament.
Helping the Japanese cause were fourth inning home runs from Tomoki Shimada and Naoaki Kawada.
Great Britain 7 Czech Republic 4
Great Britain continued their improvement at the tournament to pick up a confidence boosting win over their European rivals.
Rocked in the first inning when the side conceded a run, Great Britain soon got their confidence back helped by an over the fence blow off Darrin Newson’s bat. That hit also scored Luke Peters. The side added another two runs in the third and a single run in the fourth then to finish the game pinch hitter James Chalmer came and collected a hit over the left centre field fence.
On the mound for Great Britain, James Darby finished with 10 strikeouts and gave up four hits, one was a home run to Patrik Kolkus, who is among the tournament’s leading hitters.
Canada 8 Colombia 0
Canada confirmed their top spot for the play-offs with a convincing win over Colombia in just four innings.
Among the standout performers for the team, Ryan Boland and Andy Skelton both had over-the-fence blows. Skelton hitting his in the fourth inning which also scored Bryan Abrey and Skelton’s a solo effort in the fifth.
Australia 3 Samoa 2
Australia almost had its bubble burst by the Samoans with that side needing just three outs to end their Oceania cousins unbeaten run at the tournament. However, a combination of disciplined batting and good hitting saw Australia snatch victory.
Argentina 2 Mexico 0
Argentina kept alive their hopes of reaching the top four with a workman like 2-0 over Mexico. For Argentina Bruno Montroni opened the run account in the fourth inning and Lautaro Ferrara got the insurance run in the fifth.
Pitching for the Argentina side, Maximiliano Montero finished the game with 17 strikeouts for just four hits.
Black Sox 11 Netherlands 0
Black Sox captain Rhys Casley got his 2013 Tradestaff world softball championship campaign back on the right path with the infielder not only taking his place at second base but also picking up his first over-the-fence blow of the tournament. His hit was in the fifth inning and also scored his club, provincial and national team-mate Tyson Byrne, it also saw the Black Sox jump out to a 5-0 lead. In that fifth inning the world number two side showed just why they are considered to be one of the most powerful hitting teams in the sport – also putting the ball over the outfield fence was Wayne Laulu and Patrick Shannon. In all the Black Sox collected nine hits.
On the pitching mound, Jeremy Manley faced 17 batters and gave up only three hits and took 11 strikeouts.