Shaw sure White Sox can surprise at world champs
Captain Lara Andrews and newly-naturalised pitcher Jennifer Feret are expected to play big roles at the women’s world softball championships in Holland as the White Sox seek to break back into the top bracket of the game.
The Kiwis were on the podium for four successive world series between 1978 and 1990 under champion coach Ed Dolejs. They won the gold medal in 1982 when current White Sox coach Naomi Shaw was captain and her assistant coach, Debbie Mygind, was on the pitching mound.
But since 1990, they have finished sixth, 11th, fifth equal, 11th, 12th and 13th (at the last tournament in Canada in 2012).
Shaw is hopeful the Kiwis – who started their campaign against Russia overnight – can qualify for the top-eight by making the top four in Pool A, the tougher of the two sections at the 16-team tournament.
Andrews and Feret are crucial to their chances.
Hutt Valley-raised Andrews joined the White Sox in Haarlem, near Amsterdam, on Thursday after completing her commitments with the Pennsylvania Rebellion in the United States’ Pro League.
The 24-year-old is the first Kiwi to play in the pro league and Shaw said her presence had already been a big boost to the White Sox.
‘‘Lara joined us at the final practice and everyone was fizzing. She also gave a very humble and inspirational captain’s speech at our team meeting.’’
Andrews, who can also play catcher and in the outfield, started at third base against Russia and was handed the important number three slot in the batting order, usually reserved for the team’s best hitter.
Shaw also sees Feret – an American who has lived and played in Auckland for five years – as an important player for more than just her pitching.
‘‘She’s played third base and in the outfield [in warmup games]. If she’s not pitching, she will be in the lineup for her hitting.’’
Feret was in the designated player slot against Russia, meaning she was batting for starting pitcher Megan Farrell and available to deputise on the mound or fill any fielding role.
But Feret’s pitching smarts will be crucial. Michal Tangaroa was New Zealand’s best hurler in 2012, but has had injury challenges since, and Farrell returned to the game only last year after time off. Teenagers Courtney Gettins and Tyneesha Houkamau are at their first world championships.
So is Feret. But she has vast experience in the United States college system and can exploit hitters’ weaknesses.
Shaw sprang some surprises in her run-on nine with teenage Canterbury infielder Mikayla Werahiko named at shortstop, Aucklander Kyla Bromhead getting the catcher’s mask ahead of the more experienced Mel Gettins and career infielder Katrina Nukunuku selected at centrefield.
Werahiko, the 18-year-old Junior White Sox captain, got the nod against Russia ahead of Canterbury Red Sox teammate and Aranui High schoolmate Cassie Siataga, New Zealand’s starting shortstop last season.
Shaw said Werahiko had forced her way in based on her form at a tournament in Prague and in warmup games in Haarlem.
‘‘She’s played in the outfield, at third base and shortstop and has done well in them all. She’s a youngster with a big future.’’
Shaw has also rated Siataga highly but said the Canterbury shortstop had struggling to shake off a heavy flu which afflicted several of the White Sox players after the long journey from New Zealand to Europe.
‘‘She’s still suffering, but is getting better.’’
But Shaw said Werahiko had made the team on merit after playing ‘‘with confidence, flair and style’’.
Werahiko also has more recent games under her belt after captaining the Junior White Sox at the Canada Cup tournament last month.
Nukunuku, playing at her third world championships, spent most of last season at second base, but Shaw said the White Sox coaches had prepared her to play in the outfield at the world championships.
‘‘She’s been batting the ball and when someone’s doing that, you find a place for them in the lineup.’’
Nukunuku – wife of Black Sox men’s team captain Nathan Nukunuku – has been hitting so powerfully that Shaw has assigned her to the number four cleanup slot in the batting lineup.
Andrews, Nukunuku, Feret, Rebecca Bromhead, Te Reo Powhiri Matautia (New Zealand’s top batter in 2012, but surprisingly used at No 7 against Russia) plus top-order contact hitters Ellie Cooper and Danica Ferriso will lead New Zealand’s batting effort.
But it will be their defence that determines how the White Sox fare, with the pressure on Shaw and Mygind to make the right calls on who to field in crucial situations and how to best rotate a pitching lineup without a worldclass hurler.