PNG Power edge out Bears in final
By THADDEUS TIRIMAN
PNG Power proved their superiority in the Digicel Port Moresby Men’s A grade Softball by edging out Airways Bears 3-2 in a thrilling grand final encounter on Saturday to grab the 2007-2008 season title.
The win also makes them undefeated for the whole season. However the grand final saw them stretch to the limit as the Bears gave them a good fight for their money as both teams battled it out all the way to the last innings.
The deciding factor was devastating young pitcher Daniel Tovia who once again unleashed his pitching prowess to restrict the Bears to only one run in the last inning and prevent what could have been a heartbreaking comeback by the Bears who were trailing 1-3.
The packed Bisini Parade diamonds came to a standstill in the bottom of the last inning when Bears Sam Malum took to the batting box to try and bring home Dick Bart Junior, Bobby Bais and Chris Avuchulas in a full base situation. The score was 3-2 and it was two down. The Bears had to score at least two runs to win the match and the golden opportunity was there.
Tovia delivered a perfect low ball which Malum decided to hit sending the ball spinning high into the air and coming down straight to PNG Power Bernard Pamel’s gloves who held on to the ball for dear life and send the PNG Power team into celebrations.
The powermen who batted first scored their first runs in the first innings through Captain Isikiel Tovia Junior and a homer from Dimic Wosely to lead 2-0. They added one more to their tally in the third inning when Eddie Simba came home.
Bears pitcher Joe Avuchulas was in good control through out his innings to prevent PNG Power from scoring a run after that. The Bears were outstanding in fielding but in batting they couldn’t find an answer to Tovia’s powerful deliveries.
In the other Men’s division’s grand finals, Airways Bears beat Dolphins to claim the title and SPIA Manolos are the champions of the B grade division after belting LBC Gazelle 8-5.
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