Trukai fight back from five-run deficit to bag title

TRUKAI Industries Limited fought back from a six-run deficit to claim the Port Moresby Women’s Softball Association’s corporate slow-pitch title with a 9-8 win over Cardno Lions yesterday.
Seen as the underdogs, Trukai trailed by three points in the last inning, but a blistering six-run effort catapulted them to the Cup at the Bisini Diamonds.
Undefeated Cardno were electric in the opening inning and scored four points through one home and three runs.
Their strong fielding left Trukai with limited chances to score.
Cardno by four points but failed to add more runs and Trukai managed to secure three runs in the second and third innings.
Cardno’s Jason Kiagun, Ian Soweni, Laho Tolavata, Stephanie Eka and William Sariman fired in the fourth inning with four runs and increased their lead by six points while Trukai struggled for momentum.
The fifth and sixth innings were crucial for Kevin Passingan-captained Trukai, who made their first grand final appearance in 2019, but lost to PWC. Trukai’s title hopes took a hit when Passingan suffered an ankle injury.
But with the experience of Lorraine Pagal, Cedrick Eriman and Dorokou Tasion, they rallied from three points behind with four runs and two free passes home for a one-point victory.
Passingan hailed his team’s courage for a late fightback in the last inning.
“We knew we would come back stronger even though I was injured,” he told The National.
“We didn’t lose hope.
“We had the courage to battle Cardno.
“I’m proud of my team for the title win.”