Gazelle book first final berth

 By WENDY KATUSELE

GAZELLE are through to the Port Moresby women’s softball grand final following a narrow 7-6 win over Stingerz in the major semi-final on Saturday.

The Lae Biscuit Company-sponsored outfit, who finished second on the competition ladder, were a team on a mission with coach Titus Kambiu laying down the winning formula on the day.

Stingerz still have a life despite the loss when they face reigning champions United Sisters in the preliminary final this weekend.

Sisters had a much easier time in their playoff flogging the Bears 11-3 in the minor semi-final.

Stingerz were the first to open the scoring with a well-placed hit by Dulcie Simba, who then raced home after an overthrow by Gazelle short stop Mectil Raymond as she tried to take Nancy Maradi out on first base.

Maradi later came home to give the minor premiers the early lead.

Stingerz pitcher Selina Karai with some slick fielding from her teammates retired Jenny Pilak, Talitha Pondriket and Jessica Tonga.

But the antelopes could not be denied in the second inning as Mathilda Pondriket, Shirley Kaliment, Raymond crossed the home plate after a Talitha Pondriket hit.

Talitha scored herself after some shoddy fielding by Stingerz outfield.

Stingerz were kept scoreless for the next four innings as Gazelle continued to pile in two more runs courtesy of Navasha Pilak and her aunty Raymond for a 6-2 advantage.Stingerz fighting spirit allowed the side to come back at the bottom of the fifth inning with Tesa Karai and Dulcie Simba scoring from a hit by Leno Simba to bridge the gap to two.

Gazelle’s final run came from a two-base hit by second baseman Tonga who later came home from a Talitha Pondriket hit. Stingerz had an opportunity equalise but poor batting ensured they missed it. With two runners on base and with two more runs to level the match, all hopes were on Stingerz two top batters Selina Karai and Nicky Simba but the two struck out.