RI softball team leads Arafura Games

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.