RISING softball star Zane Siolo has conquered the tournament that crippled him.
Last year Zane ruptured three ligaments at the Men’s Friendship Tournament in Sydney, but this month he was dubbed the tournament’s Top Pitcher as the NZ Junior Black Sox took out the title.
Capital Times spoke with the 16 year-old Island Bay resident before he travelled to the tournament (A pitching phenomena, pg 6, June 2).
“My mental side dropped heaps after the injury, which was really painful to come back from because it was the foot I stomp down with,” Zane said.
The injury confined Zane to a wheelchair for a short period and sidelined him for six months.
Father Rob Siolo helped coach Zane back to full fitness and is proud of his son’s return to the middle of the diamond.
“He came through such adversary in just one year, and getting back [to Sydney] to sort some unfinished business was a priority for him,” Rob laughs.
 Zane was undefeated in the Sydney tournament, winning the crucial semi-final and final.
“I was impressed when he showed disappointment in one of his [game winning] strikes, because he missed the sweet spot. It shows he’s reflecting on the game and building his capability,” says Rob.
Zane, who studies at the NZ Institute of Sport, pitches at a professional speed of 125 km/h, while other pitchers his age get to around the 100 km/h mark.
The NZ Junior Black Sox then went on to white-wash current U19 world champions Australia in a seven match test series.
Choice stats from the 2010 NZ Junior Black Sox Oz tour:  seven days, 17 games, 16 wins, one loss, one International tournament title, 7-0 test series whitewash, 41 automatic homeruns.