New Zealand’s men’s softball team finished runners-up at the World Softball Championship after a hard-fought 3-0 final loss to Venezuela, marking their 10th appearance in a world final.
Despite falling short of an eighth world title, the silver medal represents a strong comeback from their eighth-place finish in 2022 and their first podium finish since 2017.
Led by head coach Thomas Makea, the team showcased resilience and unity throughout the tournament, notably defeating Japan 8-3 in the Super Round to reach the final.
A strong performance by young pitcher Liam Potts and disciplined at-bats weren’t enough to overcome Venezuela’s power, with decisive home runs from Pedro Flores and Jesus Barreto sealing the result.
