Two Central teams placed fourth in a southern zone softball tournament hosted in Alexandra last weekend.

Alexandra hosted Central Otago Softball Association (COSA) tournament organiser Tyla O’Neill said the four days of play were awesome.

“We had three super hot days and one day of rainy weather but that did not stop the softball from going ahead.”

The Central Otago boys placed fourth out of nine, winning seven games and losing three, and the team’s most valuable player (MVP) was pitcher Hayvin O'Neill.

RKS Mini Blinders from Canterbury were undefeated in the round robin and won the final against Christchurch’s Halswell Demons 20-10.

Standout players for the boys’ competition were RKS’s Donte Tahuhu-Wilson, who was awarded boys top pitcher and MVPl; and Cairo Iosfeo, who was named top catcher overall.

In the girls’ competition Central Otago placed fourth out of eight, winning five games and losing three. Pitcher Alison Tweedie was awarded MVP. 

The Central Otago girls’ team. PHOTO: Claire Toia-Bailey 

The girls’ final was another inter-Canterbury team battle, with Riccarton Riots taking the win in the final over PCU Fury 8-4. 

Standout players for the girls competition were Riccarton Riots’ Tylah Bradley for top pitcher, top catcher Bella Folesi and MVP Hannah Jones Strange.

The U15 girls’ champions Riccarton Riots

The U15 boys’ champions RKS Mini Blinders

Tyla said special mention was due to the groundsmen, live streamers, tournament officials, 

and the coaches and management of Central’s teams.

“For the girls, Jeanine O'Neill, Atiria Te Huia and Gini Sinnamon and the boys Reuben O'Neill, Kevin O'Neill, Tyla O'Neill and Hayley O'Neill.

“These guys as well as the players have put in a massive six to ten weeks of dedication training and organising our teams to take part in the tournament.” 

Read an earlier story on the tournament.