Top teams show class

By HENRY MORABANG
TOP teams continued their supremacy in the Port Moresby men’s premier softball competition after beating their opponents at the Bisini Diamonds yesterday.
In the main game, competition leaders Bears crushed Dolphins 4-0.
The win for the New Irelanders did not come easy after Dolphins proved they could match it with the big guns.
Despite the win, the afternoon belonged to young Dolphins pitcher Kolis Pagal who made an impressive debut restricting top Bears batters from advancing to bases.
Scorer Rotni Sidni said Pagal would give top pitchers in the competition a run for their money.
Sidni said he would be a reserve pitcher to back him up.
Pagal put on an impressive form denying three Bears batters Nerius Kua, Rohan Malum and Henry Keleo at the top of the first inning.
At the bottom of the first inning, Bears’ recruitment and former PNG pitcher Anslem Bunbun returned the same treat restricting their advance to bases.
Dolphins opening batter Vincent Kipma hit his ball but tripped and landed awkwardly on the first base.
Vernom Wam was the pinch hitter replacing Kipma on the first base but was tagged when trying to steal second base.
Jerry Diala walked to the first base for foul pitching but could not advance while Micah Zale was K2 for three down.
There were no points scored in the second inning from both sides.
At the top of the third inning, Pagal gave K2 to veteran pitcher Anslem as fans cheered him on from the sidelines and grandstand.
Bears duo Willie Petali and Joe Kua also never advanced to first base.
At the bottom of the third inning, Dolphins seemed to make some progress after advancing to first base but failed to advance to second base.
Bears got on the scoreboard at the top of the fourth inning scoring four runs to Rohan Malum, Henry Keleo, James Kelly and Tanisa Keket.
It was the climax of the match as Pagal seemed to lose concentration. It was a let down for his teammates who allowed errors to creep into the game. There were no points scored at the bottom of the fourth inning.
In the last inning, Pagal stopped Bears from scoring any points.
In other matches yesterday, PNG Power belted Brown Eagles 8-0, Mantarays thrashed Kopex 13-0, Gazelle hammered Stingerz 12-2 and Brothers defeated Defence 3-1.
After the weekend’s matches, the points ladder has on Bears 16 points followed by Gazelle 15, PNG Power 15, Brothers 13, Mantarays 13, Defence 10, Brown Eagles six, Stingerz six, Dolphins four, Kopex four.