Gordon Wilmshurst hit two automatic home runs. PHOTO/JADE CVETKOV
SOFTBALL
CHRIS COGDALE
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Giants wrapped up their Intercity Premier Two Championship with a convincing 9-4 win over Hutt Valley Marist at South Park on Saturday.
The home side were on the ball from the side, with pitcher Justin ‘Chunky’ Karaitiana, who quickly had the first three batters back in the dugout.
Giants lead-off batter Terry Waitere made an immediate impact, putting the first pitch over the fence for an automatic home run.
Waitere cleared the fence again in the fourth inning, while Gordon Wilmshurst also scored two automatics in the dominant performance.
Karaitiana’s involvement in the game was again limited.
The recurrence of an Achilles injury had the lead pitcher replaced by Tony Nixon after two innings.
Club president and team member Chris Feary said it was a satisfying way for the team to finish.
“It was a good win. It wasn’t overly challenging, but it was a good way to end the season and there was a great atmosphere at South Park.”
Giants finished with two wins after being promoted to the Premier Two division, having been unbeaten in the Premier Three pre-Christmas competition.
That is likely to be the last softball for the season for most of the players, many of whom are members of the Wairarapa Evergreens.
The Evergreens were scheduled to travel to Palmerston North on Thursday for the annual veteran’s tournament, but with the reintroduction of covid-19 level three restrictions in Auckland, and level two for the rest of the country, it will no longer go ahead.
Meanwhile, both Giants women’s teams strengthened their playoff positions in the Hutt Valley Major B competition.
Giant Blue ended Totara Park Gold’s unbeaten run with a 12-2 victory in the top four.
Despite the scoreline, Feary said the game was very competitive, and there was a bit of feeling between the teams.
Feary was also impressed with Giants Red, who had a solid 8-1 win over Demons in the bottom four.
Giants couldn’t make it four wins from games, with the under-15 side beaten 7-3 by the unbeaten Te Aroha side.
