New Zealand were bundled out at the semifinal stage of the Peligro Cup softball tournament in New York today.
The Black Sox beat Chicago New York - whose line-up included New Zealand squad member Patrick Shannon - 4-3 today before losing to eventual tournament winners California A 2-0.
"It was always going to be tough," assistant coach Dave Workman said.
"But on this tour we have achieved a lot with a number of players being exposed to this level of softball."
The 20-day tour, that ended with the Peligro Cup tournament and saw the side win the Legends of Fastball Classic tournament in Kitchener, Canada, was seen by Black Sox management as a step toward the 2013 world championship.
"We have been able to document a number of things on the players and will be working with them on different aspects of their game," Workman said.
"It has certainly been worthwhile."
Karl Gollan, Penese Iosefo and Tyron Bartorillo earned Workman's praises.
Gollan pitched the game against Chicago-New York yesterday and gave up just five hits, two to former Black Sox player Travis Wilson, and took five strikeouts before an ankle injury forced him out of the game in the fifth innings.
Against California A, Iosefo was given the ball and gave up just one hit, a home run, and took seven strikeouts.
Bartorillo's impressive performances in the batting box continued yesterday with the Canterbury representative picking up three hits in the game against Chicago-New York.
