The NZ men defeated top-ranked Argentina in seven innings. Photo: WBSC
NZ Black Sox have opened their Softball World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins, including a statement victory over world No.1 Argentina.
In a passionate seven-inning contest, the NZ men secured a 4-1 win over the South Americans, after defeating hosts Canada 8-3 in their tournament opener.
The side qualified for the tournament - hosted at Prince Albert, Canada - last July, under new head coach Thomas Makea, a WBSC and Softball NZ Hall-of-Famer, four-time world champion and three-time NZ Player of the Year.
Liam Potts limited the South Americans to just one run. Photo: WBSC
Young gun on mound
Black Sox pitcher Liam Potts delivered an impressive performance against Argentina, holding their strong batting line-up to just one run.
Potts was named 2024 Softball NZ Men's Pitcher of the Year, after a standout season with club team Parklands Christchurch United (PCU) and Canterbury Red Sox.
He finished the game with an ERA (earned run average) of 0.78. Behind the plate was fellow Red Sox representative and Otago native Cam Watts.
Potts said he had to stay locked in the whole way through, using every bit of energy he had.
"I had to focus on every pitch," he said. "It's hard, very hard, but we won, so at the end of the day, it's worth it."
Black Sox pitcher Liam Potts pitched the side to its second win of the WBSC World Cup, holding the worlds number one ranked side, Argentina, to only 1 run. Photo: WBSC
Potts pitched an entire seven innings and he admitted the plan was always for the starting pitcher to go for as long as they could.
'We do it based on how the teams are feeling or how they're looking in the box," he said. "Today, the boys were looking to hit... but today, I had them."
He said the run support from his teammates allowed him to pitch with confidence.
"The boys were amazing tonight," he said. "They just fired away.
"The boys have turned up and there's no better feeling at the moment."
Captain Cole Evans grabbed the lead with a centrefield double in the fifth inning. Photo: WBSC
Scoring summary
New Zealand put their name on the scoreboard first at the top of the second inning, with Rhys Evans doubling down the third-base line to bring Reilly Makea home, after a walk and sacrifice bunt.
Argentina levelled the score at the bottom of the inning, after a defensive error put a runner in scoring position and utility infielder Khalil Luna drove to right-field.
The score remained 1-1 until the fifth, when momentum shifted. Second basemen Tane Mumu reached second and was brought home, after a throwing error off Seth Gibson's bunt.
Team captain Cole Evans followed with a double to centrefield, scoring Gibson and extending the lead to 3-1.
In the seventh, Dante Makea-Matakatea led off up the middle, before Gibson brought him home with a drive over leftfield, sealing the game 4-1.
New Zealand have won a record seven men's world softball titles. Photo: WBSC
New Zealand remain the most decorated team in men's softball, with a record seven world titles, clutching their first in 1976. Now they're chasing an eighth.
The Black Sox are the only unbeaten team in Group A and will come up against Venezuela at 8.30am Friday NZT, needing victory to clinch a sport in the Super Round, which begins Saturday.
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