Tigers claw Malangan in Goroka softball

 By JOHN SUPA

FANIUFA Highway Tigers’ undisciplined fielding and batting enabled Malangan to clobber the cats 14-0 in Goroka men’s softball pre-season match at the National Sports Institute on Sunday.

Games organisers Peter Bird, Sebby Womola and Oddie Kaminiel will be releasing the master draw so that teams  will to be aware of their match schedules.   

The Tigers-Malangan match looked promising with Tigers restricting their opponents to one points at the top of the first inning. 

Opening batter and first custodian Martin Kolpen was the only scorer after Tigers’ pitcher Eddie Kapinias restricted the next batters. 

At Tigers turn at bat, Klowi Walia, short stopper Peter Duffy and pitcher Apelis Mapua were all out with Kapinias doing the damage fromthe pitching mound.

Tigers’ opening batters had the opportunity to bat well to register runs. 

However, awesome deliveries from hurler Mapua were too destructive as the big cats succumbed to early knockouts. 

Malangan returned to the top of the second inning with two runs through Andrew Aitau and Kalos Ralai while the Tigers’ drought continued unabated throughout the rest of the innings. 

Malangan hauled five more runs on the third and a further six runs on the fourth inning to run out victors.

In the other game, Brown Eagles, with Junior Sebby Womola at the helm, proved devastating for Lopi Brothers  with an 18-6 thrashing against Brothers. 

The women’s encounter was dominated by the Simbu girls who sparked the United Sisters to beat an experienced Medix line-up comprising seasoned players. 

The John sisters comprising Lisa Marie, Heather, Sophie, Mainel, Alicia and Royalyn contributed 10 runs to Sisters 19-14 victory.

The season proper competition is expected to start on Saturday with double headers.