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Black Sox' Brad Rona runs around the bases - Source: Photosport -
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Softball's balance of power shifted across the Tasman today when Australia downed New Zealand 5-0 at the world softball championships in Saskatoon, Canada.
The first-time finalists overpowered the three-time defending champions for the second time in three days as pitcher Adam Folkard's second no-hitter guided Australia to a comfortable win in the tournament finale.
Folkard's mechanical strangulation of a previously potent Black Sox batting line-up at the weekend proved no fluke as he again bamboozled an offensive unit that had tallied a remarkable 81 runs in seven pool games.
Australia blanked the Black Sox 7-0 when the trans-Tasman rivals met in post-section play on Saturday, and were just as impressive in the final as the tiring New Zealanders struggled to regroup for the second leg of a final day double-header.
After suffering a rare loss to Australia, the Black Sox needed to beat Japan, the United States and Canada in quick succession to make the final.
Canada was duly dispatched early today 8-5 thanks to a six-run spurt in the fifth inning but Folkard was not as generous.
Second ever
He became just the second pitcher in a world championship final to deliver a no-hitter, replicating the achievement of New Zealand Michael White against Canada in 1996.
"He gave up one hit in the two games we played against him,"
said Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase.
"He just had us scratching around."
Nick Shailes got Australia rolling in the bottom of the second when the second baseman took a base hit off starting pitcher Heinie Shannon.
He then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and raced home on one of the Black Sox's three fielding errors.
Shailes doubled the lead two innings later before Michael Tanner, Josh Davison and Aaron Cockman made the game safe.
Stranded
New Zealand had Thomas Makea left stranded on third at the top of the first inning after he had been walked - the only Black Sox to get on base.
"It was really disappointing, but also an amazing effort just to
get to the final," Kohlhase said.
"That result doesn't do any real justice to the quality of this
team."
While Folkard was Australia's pitching hero, New Zealand farewelled long-serving hurler Marty Grant, who had to be rested from the final after pitching 16 innings against Japan, the US and Canada to get the Black Sox into the decider.
"It was an outstanding effort from Marty and while he would have gone another game it would have been a big ask," Kohlhase said.
Australia's eventual rise to the pinnacle of men's softball was not a total surprise given their success at age group level - four under-19 world titles over the past 16 years.
Softball New Zealand general manager Dane Dougan said plans were in place to ensure New Zealand kept pace with their rivals.
The organisation was working with their Australian counterparts
with a view to establishing a regular trans-Tasman series for the
men's and women's teams.
