New Zealand remain in contention for the playoffs at the world junior men's softball championship after beating both the United States 4-3 and the Czech Republic 11-2 today in Canada.
The wins were crucial, particularly over the US, having suffered losses to Canada and Japan earlier in the tournament at Whitehorse.
The telling run against the US was not scored until the eighth inning after the two sides were level at the end of the regulation seven innings.
It was also the first time in the game that the New Zealanders had led after conceding two runs in the opening inning.
The Junior Black Sox managed to pull one run back in their first turn at bat and then added a second in the second inning.
The US went ahead in the sixth inning, but a home run to New Zealand captain Jamie Love kept alive his side's hopes.
It was the team's youngest member Rakawhati Repia whose hit was enough for Campbell Makea to get home from third base in the matchwinning play.
New Zealand were always in control against the Czech Republic, with just five innings needed to seal the victory.
The Junior Black Sox have a crucial day tomorrow with games against Mexico, who have lost just once and are third in the standings, the unbeaten Australia.
