New Zealand National Softball Championships: North Harbour win men's title; Hutt Valley crowned women's champions

New Zealand Softball super powers North Harbour and Hutt Valley both took the honours in the New Zealand's Men's and Women's National Softball Championships, which were held in Fraser Park in Lower Hutt from 20 to 23 February.

With a total of 56 games played across the four days, North Harbour claimed the title in the men's tournament, while Hutt Valley won the women's competition.

Seven teams participated in the Men's National Softball Championship. North Harbour faced Canterbury in the grand final, winning the game 2-0. Seth Gibson, the top batter of the tournament with a .611 batting average, carried North Harbour and was named the MVP of the tournament. Auckland's Floyd Nola was the best pitcher of the tournament with a 1.84 ERA.

New Zealand, ranked No. 8 in the WBSC Men's Softball World Ranking, will now focus on the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals, set to take place in Prince Albert, Canada, from 8 to 14 July. The Black Sox will open the tournament in Group A, facing No. 1 Argentina, No. 4 Canada and No. 5 Venezuela.

Men's tournament final standings:

1. North Harbour
2. Canterbury
3. Hutt Valley
4. Auckland
5. Hawkes Bay
6. Wellington
7. Southern Pride

In the Women's Tournament, Hutt Valley claimed the national title after winning the final, 9-8, against Auckland. White Sox captain Lara Andrews was the best hitter and the MVP of the tournament, leading the champions' offensive with a .652 average. Australian Olympian and ace Kaia Parnaby played for Hawkes Bay and posted a 0.70 ERA, earning the Best Pitcher honour.

The New Zealand women's program is currently ranked No. 30 in the WBSC Women's Softball World Ranking.

Women's tournament final standings:

1. Hutt Valley
2. Auckland
3. Canterbury
4. Hawkes Bay
5. Wellington
6. North Harbour
7. Counties Manukau