Sharks bite Glenora for third win of the season

The Hibiscus Coast Sharks mens softball team enjoyed another win at Rosedale Park last Saturday, downing Glenora 6-1 to record the side’s third win of the season.

Zac Craigie, Zac Walker, Casey Brunsden and Kevin Blackman combined a hitting burst to score three in the third innings and Blackman struck again in the sixth, coming home on a hit from Dave Reyland.

The Sharks made sure there was no chance of a Glenora comeback in the seventh and final turn when Craigie hit again, followed by Walker’s two-base shot to score the fifth run. Walker went out on base but Roger Smith hit a triple and ran further after an error gave him a home run.

Stuart Page allowed Glenora five hits to his side’s nine, but the fielders backed him up to confine Glenora to one run, in the last turn at bat.

The women’s team were searching for a fifth win but faced a formidable Waitakere Bears’ pitcher Michal Tangaroa who normally cuts opponents down to one run or less.

The Sharks lost 6-0 in the first round but managed an 11-4 loss this time, taking six hits. Kay Hetherington led the way with a single and a big three-base shot.

International players Jackie Smith and Sina Hunkin combined with Hetherington in the first inning to score twice.

Hunkin scored in the fourth turn after a two- base hit, followed by big fielding errors. Hetherington’s triple scored Katarina Hiku in the fifth.

The batting tail let the Sharks down with only four batters taking hits.

The 11 Bears hits caused damage but not as much as the seven walks which allowed batters unearned places on the bases.

This Saturday the men will play top side Waitakere Bears at Rosedale Park, starting at 4pm. The women, also at Rosedale, are expected to beat bottom side Metro at 2pm.

- Trevor Rowse

- © Fairfax NZ News