Gazelle win thriller in Pom men’s softball

Normal, Sports

LAE Biscuit Gazelle yesterday brushed off a late surge by Brown Eagles to win 6-5 in a thrilling encounter in the Port Moresby men’s A grade competition yesterday.
However, the win is subject to the Port Moresby men’s softball judiciary committee deliberation.
Gazelle won the toss and opted to bat but could not register any points due to some tight fielding by Brown Eagles.
When it was the Eagles turn to bat, they registered two quick points through opening batters George Pukur (backstop) and David Mairi (first base) to put them in front.
Pukur drove a line ball to advance to second base. When Maira hit the ball to centre outfield to advance to second base while Pukur crossed the home plate to register the first points of the afternoon.
The next two batters, Bernard Pete and Paul Tabete were caught out while Pedro Kinavai advanced Maira from third base to home plate to score the second point for the Eagles.
Kinavai attempted a three-base hit but was tagged out on third after a classic play when right outfielder Steven Tovue returned the ball to third-baseman  Harry Mathew to tag him out. The score was 2-0.
There were  no runs were scored in the second inning before Gazelle opening batter Demas Totil connected Brown Eagles pitcher Andrew Akuk’s delivery for a home run for the first points for Gazelle  to trail 2-1 at the top of the third inning.
At the bottom of the third inning, Eagles did not score any points to take a shaky 2-1 lead.
At the top of the fourth inning, the tide changed when Collin Mangot and Bernard Pamel failed to advance bases and were tagged out before veteran Peter Urari and Steven Tovue sneaked on second and first bases respectively.
With two downs, it was Mathew’s turn at bat.
He did miracles bringing home Urari and Tovue after he placed the ball between the centre and right outfield to take over the score 3-2. Mathew stole the home plate to extend the lead to 4-2.
The lead inspired Gazelle to do more with Totil who managed to secure the first base before Francis Tony hit another home run for another easy point to stretch their  lead  to  6-2.
Sensing the game was slipping away, Eagles made vital changes by bringing in Paul Tabete to the pitching mound while pitcher Andrew Akuk was posted to left outfield.
The changes did make wonders by restricting Gazelle from scoring any points despite David Mickey and Tony Karani left stranded on the base.
At the bottom of the four inning, Kinavai hit a good ball to advance to first and second base before Trevor Taule ensured play to allow Kinavai to slide home while he advanced to third base.
Lawrence Bunbun hit a good homer for the next two points to narrow the gap to 6-5.  Young Trevor Taule and Bunbun crossed the home plate to reduce the score-line.
Gazelle could not register any points in the fifth inning.
After two down, Eagles Tabete had the chance to seal the equaliser but his fly ball fell short to find Demas Totil’s glove.
In the other matches, Dolphins beat Kopex 7-4, Brothers thrashed  Amurai 7-1 and  PNG Power beat Defence 6-2.