The New Zealand Junior White Sox have started their world championships bid with practice games in Los Angeles.
The side will play a total of ten warm up games in Los Angeles before heading to Oklahoma City in preparation for the U19 World Championships. The focus of these games will be to develop match fitness, as New Zealand is currently out of season, and experiment with combinations on the diamond.
Junior White Sox Management stated that it is important for every player to get a sufficient amount of game time in order for a top nine to be established. The games will be played against successful local franchises, Firecrackers and USA Athletics, with Firecrackers placing 3rd at a recent 18U Gold national competition.
Despite suffering seven losses in eight games so far, winning one game against USA Athletics, the Junior White Sox have scored runs in all but two games. Kayla Rangiawha and youngster Aaria Tawha have both produced large hits, and Mereana Makea has been performing consistently in the box.
Some defensive lapses have been costly for the side but White Sox squad member, Mikayla Werahiko, and rookie Brooke Stubbs have been sharp in the infield. Head coach, Kevin Gettins, says he is looking for girls to step up and show consistency in their performances.
Overall Gettins is pleased with the progress of the team, with the hitters finding form and pitchers improving, but is looking for further momentum moving forward.Â
The Junior White Sox have secured two additional warm up games in Oklahoma City, which will see them play Australia and Czech Republic on August 7. The World Championships commence on August 9. Â
Results to date:
0-5 loss vs USA Athletics
3-6 loss vs USA Athletics
0-6 loss vs Firecrackers
4-6 loss vs Firecrackers
7-4 win vs USA Athletics
8-6 loss vs USA Athletics
5-3 loss vs Firecrackers
12-3 loss vs Firecrackers
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Key links
XI WBSC Junior Women’s World Championships website - http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Events/2015/August/09/XI-WBSC-Junior-Womens-World-Championship
Junior White Sox #BringingTheThunder, Storify page - http://www.softball.org.nz/Media/Bringing+The+Thunder.html
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Live StreamingÂ
All game WC games will be live streamed for free and be broadcast on the following link.
http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Events/2015/August/09/XI-WBSC-Junior-Womens-World-Championship/Media/Live-Streaming
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Junior White Sox and Fire Crackers team photo attached.
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Cheers, Glen
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Softball Manager, Softball New Zealand
M: 021537082 IÂ DDI: 04 5600389
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Softball NZ Inc PO Box 30322, Lower Hutt, New ZealandÂ
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New Zealand Black Sox World Champions: 76, 84, 96, 00, 04, 13
New Zealand White Sox World Champions: 82
New Zealand Junior Black Sox World Champions: 85, 89