City men’s s’ball off to good start

 THE Port Moresby men’s softball competition kicked off well on Sunday morning with an A grade double-header in which Yokomo defeated Defence 12-4 on diamond 1, while Bears beat Brown Eagles 8-6 on diamond 2 of the Bisini Sports Precinct.

Defence’s tight fielding prevented Yokomo’s first three batters from reaching first base.

First up for Defence was Missiel Puipui, who after two strikes and a ball, belted a two-base hit to left field. 

The next two batters, Chris Paak and Kepas Mormor, were out on fly balls for two out. 

Another two-base hit by Jono Paon brought Puipui home before Obed Morsley was struck out for side away.

Yokomo replied in the second innings, with a three-base hit from David Upaupa to the left field and scored their first run courtesy of a pass ball.

Defence logged another two runs at the bottom of the third inning through Peniel Aranake and Danny Pao to lead 3-1 at the bottom of second innings.

Yokomo got their act together to score five runs at the top of the third innings through Tomu Kouze, Dwayne Chan, Upaupua, Klifour Kouze and Mark Tomangana to lead 6-3.

Defence could only reply with a single (run) by Michael Aosa while Yokomo added another six runs at the top of the fourth innings to win 12-4.

In the Bears and Brown Eagles game on diamond 2, the Eagles made a good start, registering three runs at the top of first innings through Bernard ToAlbert, Kenny Vina and Consie Lumaris — extending the lead with another three runs by Bernard Topepe, ToAlbert and Lumaris.

Bears replied with two runs through Robert Bais and Joel Kua to trail at the bottom of the second innings 2-6.

The Eagles could not register any further runs when Bears tightened their fielding for the next two innings while they (Bears) with good batting and a homer by Anslom Bunbun registered six runs to win the game 8-6. In the other A grade match, the Moni Plus-sponsored team Gazelle finally got their act together to register their biggest upset win of the season by thrashing second placed Bears 11-3.

All the other A grade were called off and rescheduled due to wet weather.