Another leap for Gazelle
By WENDY KATUSELE
GAZELLE had to come from behind to
shrugged off a strong challenge from Admiralty to win 10-5 in Port
Moresby women's softball to maintain their second spot in the
competition.
In the other matches Budget Real Estate Wantoks managed to beat
Dolphins 6-5 in a tightly contested affair while Stingerz
continued their winning form by defeating Malangan 14-7.
Admiralty, who were sure to cause an upset and also keep their
finals hopes alive, were leading 5-1 at the bottom of the third
inning but a late surge by the antelopes bailed them off a
possible defeat.
Tight fielding by Admiralty denied the antelopes runs at the top
of the first inning and started of their batting onslaught with
Sophie Malaibe coming home to lead 1-0.
Admiralty continued their scoring spree in the next inning with
three runs from Gloria Unavi, Darusilla William and Erica Bob to
stretch their lead.
But Gazelle came back at the top of the third inning with a three
base hit from young Jessica Tonga who was brought home by a
sacrifice bunt by Mectil Raymond.
Admiralty replied from a run by Hazel Eremas but a revitalised
batting from Gazelle resulted in Grace Wanma and Navasha Pilak
getting on base and a hit by Shirley Kalimet brought the two home.
Kalimet was then brought home by Tonga who was by far Gazelle's
top batter on the day to bridge the score line gap 4-5.
Gazelle's replacement pitcher Salome Lui's entry at the bottom of
the fourth inning was a wise decision as she restricted Admiralty
batters for the next two innings.
While Admiralty found the going with the bat tough, Gazelle piled
on six more runs at the top of the fifth through Natasha Pilak,
mum Jenny Pilak, Liu, Navasha Pilak, Mathilda Pondriket and Tonga
to consolidate their win.
Admiralty had the last turn at bat but top fielding by the
antelopes proved too much for them.
