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Black Sox huddle before a game - Source: Reuters -
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New Zealand's defence of their world championship softball crown
sustained a massive hit in Canada on Saturday when
Australia ended the Black Sox unbeaten record with a crushing 7-0
win in the first post-section round in Saskatoon.
Australia shut out the Black Sox with contemptuous ease, a four-run
burst in the bottom of the sixth inning sealing the upset win via
the mercy rule.
New Zealand managed only one base hit by Rhys Casley during the
match, the first time they failed to record a run in the
tournament.
Australia, who were runners-up to Canada in their pool, opened the
scoring in the second innings.
Two more runs were added in the fifth before a withering burst saw
the contest called off with an inning remaining.
Zenon Winter and Nick Shailes both scored twice for Australia while
Michael Tanner, Jeff Goolagong and Tyron Bartorillo also crossed
home plate.
New Zealand completed pool play with a perfect seven from seven
record, amassing 81 runs and conceding just five but those
impressive statistics are now irrelevant.
They now must beat Japan on Sunday morning, who provided the Black
Sox first stern test in their final pool match on Friday.
Japan took the Black Sox to seven full innings, before being beaten
5-3, indicating they will be tough to beat in the sudden-death
play-off.
The Japanese shaded Argentina 7-6 in today's programme to stay
alive.
