| Sports |
Gazelle leaps into next final
By EKONIA PENI
GAZELLE's final's campaigns in Port Moresby men's softball had
another boost yesterday when they eliminated SPIA Manolos 5-1 in
the minor semi final to advance into the preliminary final this
weekend.
The Antelopes will now play Brown Eagles after Eagles lost 0-8 to
PNG Power in the major semi final.
PNG Power have advanced to the 2006-07 grand final in a fortnight.
Manolos had a glimpse of wresting the match in their favour when
Pasi Pialkolos scored the first point in the first inning.
The glory though was short lived when Gazelle replied with three
runs in the third inning through Gabriel Pamel, Daniel Kinakava
and Pius Martin.
And when veteran pitcher Patrick Pilak was called up in the fourth
inning to replace Nelson Kiap, the match was good as over, as
Manolos struggled to bat thereafter.
Gazelle wrapped up their victory with two more points in the sixth
inning through Peter Urari courtesy of a home run by Colin Mangot.
As expected, PNG Power who were favourites before the match
managed to stamp batting authority that saw them beat Brown Eagles
8-0 in the major semi final.
Eagles and their supporters were in a state of shock by the loss.
Yet credit to pitcher Daniel Tovia whose combination with catcher
David Upaupa not only created headaches for Eagles batters, but
also guided PNG Power into the 2006-07 grand final in two weeks
time.
The power men batted well and scored consistently in the first
inning (one run), another three runs in the second inning, three
more runs in the third inning and an additional point in the
fourth inning for their eight points.
Eagles never had any real opportunity to score points in the
entire seven-inning match with the experienced batters struggling
to bat. "How can this be?" was a question supporters were asking
after the match.
If there were any chance for Eagles to score then it was in the
first and seventh innings when would-be points Siani Turlom and
Thomas Meta were the only two players stranded on bases as batters
were either struck out or caused to hit fly-balls by Tovia.
Eagles will need to prepare well this week for the preliminary
final against Gazelle on Sunday.
In the B grade, Gazelle are through to the grand final after
beating Brown Eagles 8-5 in the major semi final.
SPIA Manolos will play Eagles in the preliminary final this
weekend after Manolos eliminated Samurai 10-3 in the minor semi
final of the division.
 
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