Gazelle into third spot in POM men’s softball

GOOD pitching by hurler Peter Simon and strict fielding propelled Lae Biscuit Gazelle from fifth to third spot in the Port Moresby men’s A grade softball competition yesterday.
Gazelle came from a 2-0 deficit in the second inning to come out 8-2 victors after the 5th required innings to win the match.
Simon, formerly of Lae Tigers, moved to Port Moresby, to play for United Brothers but changed heart to play for Gazelle.
He was the key behind the victory by restricting top PNG Power batting order from scoring points.
Standing in for regular pitcher Patrick Pilak, Simon showed the management  he can be counted on with powerful deliveries.
The Hulala Tokome-coached side showed the glimpse of what was going to happen at the bottom of the first inning when Francis Tony and David Mickey were left stranded on the base.
The moment of truth arrived in the second innings when PNG Power collected their first two points through Isikel Tovia Jr and Steven Polum before Gazelle displayed what is in store for other teams in the coming weeks.
At the bottom of the second inning, Gazelle piled on a massive seven runs through Gabriel Pamel, Bernard Pama, Colin Mangot, Demas Totil, David Mickey, Tony Karani and Steven Vue to take the lead 7-2.
The particular inning saw the class of their own with Gazelle players cleverly displaying their skills with bat to advance their fellow runners to bases.
It started off with Pamel brothers, Gabriel and Bernard Mangot, coming home before Steven Vue sent the ball to right outfield which Cleland Tukana failed to glove to see Totil, Mickey and Karani landing safely home to extend the lead to 6-2.
Vue came home to collect one more point 7-2 before Gazelle were all out.
There were no runs scored in the third inning before Tony  came home in the bottom of the fourth inning to consolidate the victory 8-2 to put the game out of reach for PNG Power.
In other matches played yesterday, Brown Eagles soared over Defence 9-6, Kopex defeated Samurai 9-5, Dolphins edged out Bears 6-5, Mantarays beat United Brothers 4-3.
The unofficial point ladder after the weekend’s matches: PNG Power 17, United Brothers 16, Dolphins 12, Gazelle 12, Manta Rays 11, Bears 10, Kopex 8, Samurai 6, Defence 4 and Brown Eagles 3.