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Seb slams his way to best at tournament
Stroy by Kristen Edge @ The Daily Post
Argentine pitcher Sebastian Gervasutti is wasting no time adjusting to softball in New Zealand.
The 22-year-old joined Rotorua's Marist St Michael's Magic side just three weeks ago and already he has played a major part in the club's biggest tournament win to date.
Magic won the prestigious Rehe Joseph Memorial Fastpitch Softball tournament in Hamilton last weekend.
Gervasutti showed his class by collecting the batting, pitching and Most Valuable Player titles after an outstanding all-round performance.
Captain Jason Gerbes said Gervasutti had settled in his New Zealand home and was marking it loud and clear he meant business.
Gervasutti hit an amazing .667 batting average with eight runners batted in on the back of four power home runs, to take out the batting title, which is unusual for a pitcher.
He placed second on the tournament runners batted in list, just behind teammate Wayne Norman.
The great stint with a bat did not distract Gervasutti from his primary job as he fanned 42 batters by way of strikeouts from the pitching mound.
Gervasutti's earned run average, of 0.03, gave him the full wrap of awards as the tournament's top pitcher.
"I felt the team played well this weekend, and I am very happy with my performance.
"I enjoy the chance to bat and show my game in this way," a modest Gervasutti said.
Magic last played this tournament four years ago and produced a disappointing performance with eight straight losses.
Gerbes said the goal was clear this year: "It was to win the title, and re-establish the Marist St Michael's club fine name in softball."
The win came on the back of a bronze medal performance at the Braves tournament in Wanganui, where the team smashed in 40 runs, 11 courtesy of the long ball.
The defence allowed only two runs and 50 strikeouts came from Gervasutti and Shane Hunuhunu.
This Waitangi weekend Magic will compete at Simpson Park in Auckland for the annual Brother Patrick Fastpitch tournament, hosted by Auckland Marist Ball Club.
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