11 Mar 2013

Four years planning culminates in softball world title

6:07 am on 11 March 2013

The New Zealand men's softball coach Eddie Kohlhase says reclaiming the World Championship title is the culmination of four years hard work.

The Black Sox beat Venezuela 4-1 in the final in Auckland on Sunday, the sixth time the Black Sox have won the pinnacle event.

They were toppled by arch-rivals Australia in the 2009 final and Kohlhase says they were determined to win back the crown.

The Black Sox skipper Rhys Casley, who was doubtful as recently as two weeks ago through injury, provided a winning three-run homer to break a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the third inning.