By Robert Palme, Port Moresby 2015 Games News Service
PORT MORESBY, July 15 – Papua New Guinea’started its Port Moresby 2015 Pacific Games softball campaign with a 17-0 win over American Samoa at the Bisini Grounds on Wednesday.
Despite the lopsided final scoreline, the game was close through the first four innings, it was only in the fifth and final innings that the flood gates opened, with PNG scoring 12 runs to close out the game.
The home team had a balanced attack with five players – Lisa Pollum, Tenisha Kuveu, Florence Daple (2), Pasen Beverley and Nadia Bais – recording RBIs while the team had a total of 14 hits on the day.
The highlight of the day was Georgina Mautu’s solo home run in the fifth while Daple was the PNG’s best performer, with her two RBIs coming in just three visits to the plate.
Despite the big win, PNG coach Kenneth James Selu was not taking the overall Port Moresby 2015 title for granted.
“It’s not a win yet, [there is] nothing in the bank yet,” said Selu.
American Samoa’s coach, Patrick Ahfook (AMA) has only one evening to get his team back on track, as they play the second of their three match series on Thursday.
Ahfook said that his young team will not dwell on the loss.
“[We have] all new kids, first time [players] and first four innings we were pretty good. Tomorrow, we’ll regroup and fight again,” said Ahfook.
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