The Black Sox have suffered their second loss at the Softball World Cup in Auckland, with Argentina finishing strongly to score an 11-5 victory over the homeside.
Cole Evans Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand held a 5-1 lead before the defending champions fought back.
Argentina started with a home run off the first pitch by Alan Peker in the late game against the hosts, who fought back superbly with three home runs, led by a homer off the first swing from captain Cole Evans. This was followed by a home run from Thomas Enoka which also enabled his brother Ben to score.
A remarkable catch above the home run fence by Reilly Makea kept the Argentinians at bay while the New Zealand team scored two more for a 5-1 advantage going into the seventh inning.
In a near-repeat of their 2019 encounter, Argentina never counted themselves out, scoring four runs in a frenetic seventh inning to tie up the game, and send into sudden death, starting with a runner on second.
Argentina was bold, walking the New Zealand hitters to fill the bases, and picking off the New Zealanders in forced play, including a pivotal call to exit Ben Enoka as he scurried back to second.
The world champions then showed their class to move runners around the bases, converting six further runs in the ninth inning to claim the victory that seemed so unlikely.
Black Sox coach Mark Sorensen admitted he was pretty shatterd after the loss.
"The game is built on little moments and the game is also lost on little moments."
The Black Sox must beat the Phillipines tonight to have any chance of reaching the next round.
Earlier the Czech Republic scored their first win of the championship, and their first ever over five-time champion USA, after wins scored by Australia, Canada, Cuba and Japan a at Rosebank Park in Albany.
With three teams to qualify for the Super Round, after three rounds in Group A Argentina has three wins from USA and Cuba with two while New Zealand and the Czech Republic have one win.
In Group B, Canada and Australia are unbeaten from Japan with two wins.
Earlier the five-time champions USA were well beaten 6-3 by hitherto winless Czech Republic, who better the Americans for the first time
Tuesday's fourth round in Group A pits Cuba against USA, the Czech Republic against Argentina and a must-win encounter for New Zealand against Philippines.
In Group B, Canada face Australia in a high profile contest; South Africa face Denmark and Japan meet Venezuela.
The final round is on Wednesday before the top six team move to the Super Round, with the Grand Final set for this Sunday.