PCU Devils squeeze life from Halswell

Daniel Milne and Josh Thompson slugged fourth inning home runs as premier men's softball pacesetters PCU Devils thumped Halswell 9-0.

PCU put a choker hold on the game in the first inning at Mainland Foundation Ballpark on Saturday.

They batted through their order, scoring six runs. Five batters made base through walks and a hit pitch before back-to-back hits by Brad Annandale and Jamie Frisby brought in three runs.

Richmond Keas also blanked the Albion Pirates 7-0 in six innings with Brendon Belesky batting 1.000 with three consecutive safe hits and Nathan Taikato and Aiden Cocker cracking three-baggers. Taikato took nine strikeouts and gave up two safe hits, including a bunt.

The Papanui-PCU Devils match was postponed to Wednesday.

Competition leaders Halswell had to work hard for a 8-5 tiebreaker win over winless Sydenham-Kereru in the women's premiership.

Halswell trailed 4-5 after the fifth inning when Oceana Berryman, Kyrstal Werahiko, Mikayala Werakhiko and Cassandra Andrews scored for SK after five safe hits.

But pitcher Jenni Mumm tied the game for Halswell in the sixth inning after a triple by outfielder Bev Lethlean.

Lethlean did the damage again in the tiebreaker at the top of the eighth inning with another right-centrefield triple to bring in Mumm and Micha Ropata.

Lani Stead scored Albion Cardinals' decisive run in the bottom of the seventh in a 7-6 win over PCU.

Nova Collins-Cross slugged a three-bagger in Papanui's 5-1 win over Richmond Keas and conceded just three safe hits on the pitching mound.

- © Fairfax NZ News