 New Zealand celebrates after winning the 13th ISF Men's World Championship
(photo: Ben Campbell)
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NEW ZEALAND CROWNED AS MEN'S CHAMPIONS
2013-03-11
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND -- The ISF 13th Tradestaff Men's World Championship finished yesterday with New Zealand taking home the Gold, Venezuela the Silver, and Australia the Bronze.
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Venezuela defeated Australia 2-0 to advance to the Gold Medal Game against New Zealand. This ended the Aussie Steelers' chances to repeat at world champions after finishing a promising 7-0 after round robin play.
Andrew Kirkpatrick gave up one run in each of the first two innings. Australia was then unable to overcome the strong pitching and defense by the Venezuelans. They outhit the Venezuelans, but were unable to convert those opportunities into runs.
Australia finished with the Bronze medal.
 Venezuela celebrates after advancing to the Gold Medal game.
(photo: Ben Campbell)
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New Zealand defeated Venezuela 4-1 in yesterday's final at Rosedale Park to win the Gold Medal. The Black Sox captain, Rhys Casley, drove in Brad Rona and Daniel Milne for the go-ahead runs in the third inning. Jeremy Manley pitched the entire game to get the win.
"It's all too surreal at the moment," Casley admitted. "It hasn't sunk in - it might take a couple of weeks."
Venezuela came to play, quickly scoring the first run of the game in the first inning, with lead-off batter Ivan Paez hitting a triple. After the bases were loaded, Donny Hale hit a fly ball in foul territory but it was enough to score Paez.
"They were on an emotional high and hitting fairly well. We thought if we could get that first innings, we'd have enough offensive power to beat them," said New Zealand coach Eddie Kohlhase.
New Zealand's chance came in the third. Venezuela was struggling, having to put in their third pitcher of the game. Ramon Jones hit Rona with a pitch, followed by walking Manley. Casley then homered to bring the score to 3-1. "I never expected to hit the ball out. I was just looking to make solid contact and was happy to get wood on the ball," said Casley after the game.
The Black Sox would score again off a Patrick Shannon home run to finish the game 4-1.
New Zealand has now won four out of the last five men's world championships but this might be the last hurrah for several players. Jarrad Martin, now 40, and Thomas Makea have now four world titles, while Shannon has made it known he will not return. "We spoke a little about that this morning," said Casley. "Every time you put on the black shirt, you never know whether it could be your last - you just never know who won't be back."
This is the best finish for Venezuela.
The Black Sox gather after receiving their medals and trophy.
(photo: Ben Campbell)
Softball New Zealand and Softball Australia contributed to this article.
FINAL STANDINGS
Finish |
Team |
Round Robin |
Playoff |
Total |
RF |
RA |
1 |
New Zealand |
6-1 |
3-0 |
9-1 |
54 |
17 |
2 |
Venezuela |
5-2 |
2-3 |
7-5 |
34 |
24 |
3 |
Australia |
7-0 |
2-2 |
9-2 |
58 |
13 |
4 |
Argentina |
5-2 |
2-1 |
7-3 |
36 |
18 |
5 |
Canada |
6-1 |
0-2 |
6-3 |
45 |
17 |
6 |
Japan |
5-2 |
1-1 |
6-3 |
49 |
19 |
7 |
Samoa |
4-3 |
0-1 |
4-4 |
33 |
29 |
8 |
United States |
4-3 |
0-1 |
4-4 |
44 |
34 |
9 |
Great Britain |
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
20 |
18 |
10 |
Colombia |
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
17 |
25 |
11 |
Czech Republic |
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
37 |
38 |
12 |
South Africa |
2-5 |
|
2-5 |
13 |
37 |
13 |
Mexico |
2-5 |
|
2-5 |
19 |
41 |
14 |
Netherlands |
1-6 |
|
1-6 |
14 |
57 |
15 |
Philippines |
0-7 |
|
0-7 |
12 |
51 |
16 |
Indonesia |
0-7 |
|
0-7 |
14 |
68 |
Gold Medal - New Zealand
Silver Medal - Venezuela
Bronze Medal - Australia
ROUND ROBIN
Pool A |
Finish |
Team |
W |
L |
RF |
RA |
1 |
Australia |
7 |
0 |
48 |
5 |
2 |
Venezuela |
5 |
2 |
28 |
17 |
3 |
Samoa |
4 |
3 |
31 |
25 |
4 |
United States |
4 |
3 |
42 |
25 |
5 |
Great Britain |
3 |
4 |
20 |
18 |
6 |
Czech Republic |
3 |
4 |
37 |
38 |
7 |
South Africa |
2 |
5 |
13 |
37 |
8 |
Indonesia |
0 |
7 |
14 |
68 |
Pool B |
Finish |
Team |
W |
L |
RF |
RA |
1 |
Canada |
6 |
1 |
43 |
12 |
2 |
New Zealand |
6 |
1 |
43 |
12 |
3 |
Argentina |
5 |
2 |
24 |
6 |
4 |
Japan |
5 |
2 |
45 |
13 |
5 |
Colombia |
3 |
4 |
17 |
25 |
6 |
Mexico |
2 |
5 |
19 |
41 |
7 |
Netherlands |
1 |
6 |
14 |
57 |
8 |
Philippines |
0 |
7 |
12 |
51 |
as of March 10, 2013
RF = runs for, RA = runs against |
