RI softball team leads Arafura Games

By Primastuti Handayani

DARWIN, Australia (JP): Steven Andre Pattiwael's home run marked a victory for Indonesia men's softball team over neighboring country Brunei Darussalam 14-3 in 6 innings at the Arafura Games opening day.

Earlier yesterday, Indonesia defeated Australia Defense Forces 13-0 in 5 innings.

Although performing very convincingly in the first match, the Indonesians played poorly in the second match's first inning.

Brunei players dashed the Indonesians with their fast playing and catching.

Gofur Novanto produced the team's first point in the second inning with the bases loaded.

But Abbas and Suhardi of Brunei, who were being supported by the country's students in Australia, made two runs for their country in the third inning and took over the lead.

In the fifth inning, the Indonesian team, which was supported by National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar, fought back from behind and started to take over the lead.

Seven players -- Gofur, Roy Harland, Dendy Apriliandi, Edi Zubaedi, Rafli Mustafa, Lukmanul Hakim and captain Tony Pratono -- made it home safely and gave Indonesia a 8-2 leading position. Dondy and Tony even made home runs.

In the fifth inning, Brunei player Hakim added another point, thanks to Indonesian catcher Toni. Toni failed to catch the ball as Hakim ran home from third base.

But Indonesia, regaining its composure, scored four more points with Edi and Dondy making two more home runs.

In the sixth inning, Steven made his first home run, which sent Gofur home, and scored two points.

"We had late pitching against Brunei. It's because we always change the softballs, which were a little bit slick. We need a little time to adapt to the balls," said 28-year-old Tony.

"Actually we were rather shocked by Brunei's performance. We should have performed better by the second inning, but we couldn't make it until the fourth inning," he said.

Team manager Boedie Gambiro expressed his satisfaction with the Indonesian team's performance.

"I admit that we started late against Brunei. But two wins in the first day is a good result," he said.

"The team had applied the right hitting style against Brunei. Their hitting was different compared to the previous match against Australia. Our players were able overcome their pitching," he said.

In the previous match, Indonesian players dominated the Australia Defense Forces team. Indonesia led the match the entire game, initiated by lefthanded Rafli.

Jauhari's return to home base in the second inning gave Indonesia its second point.

In the third inning, Dondy, Rafli and Lukmanul gained three more points for the national squad.

Seven more points were gained in the fourth inning when Iwan Pujiharto, Dondy, Rafli, Lukmanul, Tony, Gafur and Jauhari returned to home base.

Iwan's home run in the fifth inning ended the Australians fight and concluded the match.

Indonesian men's team will challenge Northern Territory and Saipan today while the national women's team will meet Australia Defense Forces and Chinese Taipei.