Latest news with #SoftballWorldCup
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Mixed emotions after Black Sox beaten in final: Watts
The Black Sox regained respect but missed out on returning to the top of the world. They missed out on a record-extending eighth title when they were beaten 3-0 by Venezuela in the final of the Softball World Cup in Canada yesterday. Cam Watts, the Dunedin schoolteacher in the New Zealand squad with brother Ben, was both proud and devastated when he spoke to the Otago Daily Times from Prince Albert shortly after the final. "It's sort of mixed," Watts said. "We're gutted we couldn't get over that final hurdle but I think everyone is still really proud of where we've come from, and the progress the team has made." While the Black Sox will be disappointed, they can reflect on a fine campaign that restored their status as heavyweights of the sport. They missed the top six at the last World Cup — at home, too, which stung — and had slumped to a ranking of eighth in the world. After playing some excellent softball in the early rounds in Prince Albert, they delivered a clutch 8-3 win over Japan to reach the final on a tiebreak. Watts, who appeared in three games as a catcher at the World Cup while his brother appeared as a relief pitcher in two, felt the New Zealanders had honoured the country's glittering legacy at the tournament. "We talked about being underdogs but I think we turned some heads around world softball. "We've played really well, we're a tight unit, everyone contributed in some way, and I'm really proud of the effort. "It sucks to lose the final, but it is what it is. "The boys will have a nice wee break and reflect on the journey we've had over three years. I think we'll be hungry to come back and get that gold." The final was extremely close most of the way with neither side able to get their bats humming. New Zealand managed just one hit off ace Venezuelan pitcher Maiker Pimentel through the first five innings and trailed 1-0 with two innings to play. They had a big opportunity with runners on second and third at the top of the sixth, but could not make it count, and Venezuela added insurance runs with a two-run homer at the bottom of the inning. It was a first world title for Venezuela, who were beaten by the Black Sox in the 2013 final and won bronze two years later. Pimentel, who struck out nine and had just two walks in the final, was named tournament MVP. "He's a heck of a pitcher, and he's shut a lot of teams out all week," Watts said. "We just couldn't quite get the timely hit. That's softball." The United States thumped Japan 10-1 in the bronze medal game. Kaikorai Valley College students will have to wait a little while longer before getting to see Mr Watts and his silver medal. He has grabbed an opportunity to play for Canadian club JDT Energy at tournaments in Oklahoma and Minnesota before returning to Dunedin on August 5.
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 14th July 2025
money sport 22 minutes ago In today's episode, Forestry slash and silt is being blamed for extensive damage in Tasman, carving out a path of destruction in the Motueka Valley; The weather and damage haven't just been isolated to the Nelson/ Tasman area - with Geotechnical engineers assessing a large slip in Auckland's Muriwai; The Black Sox have been pipped at the post to win an eighth Softball World Cup; Funeral directors are calling on councils to curb price rises for burial and cremation fees, ahead of this year's local body elections.
Otago Daily Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Black Sox edged in World Cup final
The Black Sox have regained respect but have missed out on returning to the top of the world. They have been beaten 3-0 by Venezuela in the final of the Softball World Cup in Canada this morning. New Zealand managed just one hit off ace Venezuelan pitcher Maiker Pimentel Sivira through the first five innings, and trailed 1-0 with two innings to play. They had a big opportunity with runners on second and third at the top of the sixth, but could not make it count, and Venezuela added two insurance runs at the bottom of the inning. While the Black Sox - including Otago brothers Cam and Ben Watts - will be disappointed, they can also reflect on an excellent campaign that restored their status as heavyweights of the sport. They missed the top six at the last World Cup and had slumped to a ranking of eighth in the world. After playing some excellent softball in the early rounds in Prince Albert, they delivered a clutch 8-3 win over Japan to reach the final on a tiebreak. It was a first world title for Venezuela, who were beaten by the Black Sox in the 2013 final and won bronze two years later.
Otago Daily Times
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Black Sox lose pool game to Venezuela
Photo: ODT files It was a tough day at the office for the Black Sox. They New Zealanders were well beaten 7-2 by a tough Venezuela side to wrap up the opening round of the Softball World Cup in Canada yesterday morning. It was the Black Sox' first loss of the tournament after they beat host nation Canada 8-3 at Prince Albert on the opening day Wednesday and downed world No 1 Argentina 4-1 on Thursday. Both Venezuela and New Zealand finished with 2 wins and a loss, in group A. Engelbert Herrera homered and drove in four runs for Venezuela and team-mate Kleiver also hit a homer for the winning side. They did most of the damage in the third innings, where Venezuela collected four runs. Venezuela pitcher Maiker Pimentel went the distance, giving up six hits and two runs while striking out 10. He collected his second win of the competition. Thomas Enoka and Cole Evans homered for the New Zealanders' only two runs of the game. Pitcher Pita Rona, who pitched just over two innings, allowed three runs on three hits. — APL
Otago Daily Times
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Black Sox score strong world cup start
The Black Sox perform a haka before facing host nation Canada on the opening day of the Softball World Cup, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, yesterday. PHOTO: WBSC The Black Sox have made the perfect start to the Softball World Cup. They beat host nation Canada 8-3 on the opening day in Prince Albert yesterday. New Zealand shot to a 2-0 lead after the first inning when both Reilly Makea and Thomas Enoka whacked run-scoring doubles. Ben Enoka added another RBI double in the second, Cole Evans scored on a Thomas Enoka single in the third and Dante Makea-Matakatea scored on a stolen base on the third. Black Sox starting pitcher Pita Rona gave up five hits and one run through four innings but had two runners on base when he left the game, and the Canadians promptly scored both to get back to 5-3 after five innings. The game turned firmly the New Zealanders' way at the top of the sixth when Tane Mumu stole a base then scored, and Makea belted a two-run homer. Dunedin's Watts brothers both saw some action off the bench. Cam replaced Te Wera Bishop behind the plate and had one at-bat, and Ben became the third Kiwi pitcher used when he shut out the game in the seventh inning. The Black Sox play Argentina today.
