Brothers fight back to down Yokomo

 By HENRY MORABANG
MINOR premiers United Brothers have edged out the equally determined Yokomo 5-4 in a nail-biting semi-final of Port Moresby Softball at Bisini Softball Diamond yesterday.
Brothers will now meet the Moni Plus-sponsored Gazelle next Saturday in the grand final.
Yokomo were leading 4-3 at the top of the sixth inning while Brothers had the chance with two bases full on two down.
An attempt by Raymond Diou was caught on the edge of the boundary for a three down and Brothers returned to the dug out empty-handed.
Yokomo had the opportunity at their last turn at bat on the top of the seventh inning.
Brothers pitcher Tony William sent their top three batters Taki Zale, Paul Bonga and Colin Mangot back to the dug-out.
Brothers made use the opportunity at the last turn  at bat at the bottom of the seventh inning.
First batter Sailas Darius hit a good ball to secure the first base.
The next batter Adrian Chan hit a good ball out field for Darius to win second and third base. Next batter, Dick Bart Jr step on the batting box. A wild pitch saw Darius level the score at 4-4.
With no down, Bart hit a good ball to outfield to see Chan sliding home for the winner.
The game got off to a good start when Brothers registered the first point at the bottom of second inning through Raymond Diou.
However, Yokomo replied through Mangot at the bottom of the same inning. At the top of the third, Luxton Zale, who started off with the bat, managed to score a point to take the lead 2-1. Chan, however levelled the scores at 2-2 in the bottom of third inning.
The scoreline changed hands in the bottom of fifth innings 3-3 before David Upaupa came on to put Yokomo in front 4-3.
In the seventh and final inning, Brothers had other thoughts to win 5-4 to advance to the grand final.
In the men’s B grade semi-finals, Brown Eagles edged out PNG Power with the same scoreline 5-4.
Brown Eagles will now meet the minor premiers Defence in the grand final.