16 Nov 2014

Panthers women, on Saturday (November 15), escaped by a whisker as they trounced Dinare 11-10 in a pulsating duel of the ongoing BOFINet softball league.

Panthers were on another level during the opening inning as they registered eight runs while Dinare recorded a sole run. Dinare were first to bat as Thulani Jikisela opened the score sheet through a superb hit from Chedza Dikatholo who had an early exit due to an injury.

Panthers countered well as Neo Seth thumped the ball with all bases full hence navigating home Lesego Rankwaila and Mpho Setlalekgosi. Boineelo Gojewang did not disappoint going for the kill as she stroke the ball far away to sail Lingani Galeboe and Seth to the home base.

With all bases full, Lereng Mokgotlhe knew very well that her team depended on her hit and did not let them down as she thumped it far outfield to drive home, Gojewang and Onneile Phalalo.

Dinare were sluggish to respond to hits, failing to glove high balls while Thato Letshwiti scored courtesy of Rankwaila’s hit. Rankwaila then registered point number eight for Panthers following a hit from Setlalekgosi as they challenged Dinare to pull up their socks and catch them.

Dinare could not stand the humiliation as they came all out to redeem their pride in the second inning through Kgomotso Kootsiwe’s hit that sailed home Monnosi Sanane and Tebogo Luckson.

Dinare’s Bonolo Molefhe and Jikisela smacked beautiful fly balls to the outfield but the opponents were always on the watch to glove them nevertheless their efforts did not go to waste as their hits cruised home, Keamogetse Mooketsi and Kootsiwe. The third inning saw Panthers register two runs by Rankwaila and Marea Modutlwa to make it 10- 5.

Dinare came into the fourth inning determined more than ever. Chatiwa Nsala’s hit with all bases full saw short stop fumble with the ball as Molefhe registered a point.

Galeboe Nfolwe propelled the ball to the outfield which ensured Dinare two points from Jikisela and Bafedile Dube to narrowly close the gap with 8-10. Panthers had a dry fourth inning as Dinare almost stole the game in the fifth inning leveling the score to 10-10 all thanks to Kootsiwe and Molefhe’s runs.

Panthers knew what was at stake with that score line as they came to the fifth inning with one mission to score at least a point because they had an advantage to retaliate being the bottom batters.

Mokgotlhe wasted no time as she capitalised on Modutlwa’s bunt and sprinted to the home base to give Panthers their much deserved win as they wrapped up the encounter. In other games played at the national Diamond on Saturday, BDF ladies thrashed UB Giants 17-1 while BDF men beat UB Giants 8-1.  ENDS