Brothers score solid wins over Dolphins and PNG Power in POM softball

By EKONIA PENI
United Brothers passed the test yesterday winning their two games against Dolphins and PNG Power to lead Port Moresby men’s softball.                                            
Brothers edged Dolphins 5-3 in their first match in the morning and then backed up in the match of the day with a nail biting 4-2 win over Power.
In the other matches, Stingerz recorded their first win of the season beating Gazelle 7-3, Power in their first match nailed Mantarays 5-0, Bears clobbered Defence 15-3 and Brown Eagles thrashed Kopex 10-2.
Brothers were mentally prepared for Power fielding well, minimising fielding errors and batted well against Power’s best pitcher Daniel Tovia.
 After a pointless first inning, Bros Dick Bart Jr managed to score the first point at the top of the second after a three base hit but Power replied with an equaliser in the same inning through Demas Tovia from a safe hit by Eugene ToVue.
Then in the third inning, speedster and short-stopper Jolam Jerry, after a safe bunt, raced all the way home to score courtesy of overthrows.
Gerol Pokanau crossed the home plate thereafter for the double in the same inning from a pass delivery.
Both teams played out a scoreless fourth inning before back-up catcher Vailala Kamu scored a home run at the top the fifth to seal the victory with the fourth point.
Daniel Tovia continued his batting form with a home run at the bottom of the fifth inning for the Power’s second point.  Ironically, Power’s main downfall was poor batting, and fielding errors. 
The unofficial ladder after yesterday’s matches has United Brothers leading the competition on eleven (11) points followed by Brown Eagles, PNG Power and Dolphins on 10 points each, Mantarays (9), Bears (8), Defence and Gazelle (3 points each), Kopex and Stingerz (2 points each).
Bears who defeated Dolphins last weekend and temporarily led the competition on 10 points but had their two competition points deducted for fielding of unregistered players last weekend. This is an issue the Port Moresby men’s softball association is still dealing with.