Sport

Black Sox team named for World Champs

06:54 am on 26 March 2019

Black Sox coach Mark Sorenson says the squad for the Mens Softball World Championship was the toughest he's had to pick.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"We've worked really hard at developing and increasing the depth of our squad over the last couple of years and succeeded in creating competition for places.

"It's been hard to tell those who have missed out but that's the by-product of developing that competition for places."

The Black Sox head to Prague as defending champions and chasing their eighth world title.

They have been in 10 consecutive finals and won six of those and captain Nathan Nukunuku could make history if the Golden Homes Black Sox are triumphant in Prague in June.

Nukunuku will be attending a record seventh men's world championship (2000, 2004, 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019).

He shares the record (six) with coach Sorenson, Thomas Makea, Jarrad Martin and Brad Rona.

Nukunuku has a shot at becoming the most decorated player in Golden Homes Black Sox history.

He has four world championship gold medals (2000, 2004, 2013, 2017), an accolade he shares with Sorenson (1984, 1996, 2000, 2004), Makea and Martin (both 1996, 2000, 2004, 2013) and Rona (2000, 2004, 2013, 2017).

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Sorenson is happy with the balance of his squad but is under no illusions it will be tough to defend their title.

"I know if we come together as a team and play to our potential we will be tough to beat, but there's a lot of work to do before that.

"Every country wants to take a shot at the title holder so it's going to be tough.

"The other teams are getting better, but we are better than we were two years ago too."

The Black Sox squad:

Pitchers

Daniel Chapman - Auckland

Nik Hayes - Auckland

Josh Pettett - Wellington

Catchers

Kallan Compain - Auckland

Zane van Lieshout - Auckland

Infield

Tyron Bartorillo - Canterbury

Cole Evans - Auckland

Joel Evans - Hutt Valley

Josh Harbrow - Canterbury

Nathan Nukunuku (C) - Auckland

Jerome Raemaki - Wellington

Outfield

Ben Enoka - Auckland

Campbell Enoka - Auckland

Thomas Enoka - Auckland

Wayne Laulu - Wellington

Reilly Makea - Wellington

Jackson Watt - Canterbury