The Port Moresby Melonas cruised to a 5-2 win over Buluminski in the men’s grand final of the 2015 national softball championships at the Bisini Grounds this afternoon.
The Melonas opened the scoring at the top of the second inning after Sammy Malum was walked to first base.
Next batter up, Martin ToAlbert hit out to bring Malum home while he advanced to third base.
Gerald Pokanau followed this up with a safe hit that brought ToAlbert home to make it 2-0.
The Buluminski batters failed to get on base at their turn of bat as the game progressed to the third inning.
The Melonas added another run in the third inning through a hit by pitch ball brought Eddie Simba to first base. Simba sprinted home after a power hit by Raymond Diou.
Buliminski narrowed the deficit at the bottom of three when a hit by Bobby Bais scored two runners to trail 3-2.
But with the flamboyant Tony Williams on the pitching mound for the Melonas, Buluminski failed to score any more runs.
The bottom of the fifth saw Williams being taken off for Danny Tovia to take over the pitching duties.
The Melonas gave themselves some breathing space scoring two more runs belted off the pitching of Anslom Bunbun in the sixth inning
The change in pitching paid dividends as the Melonas defended their lead to the last inning with Tovia striking out Collin Mangot in the final play to win the game.
In the curtain raiser match, the Canberra Giants beat the Select Side 5-3.