Day 2 - Fiji vs. New Caldonia
Fiji and New Caldonia matched up Tuesday afternoon both looking to gain their first victory of the competition. The game marked the first of a double-header for Fiji who was set to face Palau in the next game. New Caldonia completed the first complete game of the compteition the previous day losing to Palau 2-7. The small crowd of New Caldonian supporters came in the form of some various children who had learned the cheer, "Allez Rouge!!!" The kids could be heard cheering from the stands the previous day. The cheer could be heard from several members of Team Samoa eager to show off their new found language skills.
New Caldonia jumped to an early lead ending the 1st inning with a 4-0 lead. No. 13 Thomas Gabbon for Fiji, a left-handed pitcher with a unique side arm delivery, found himself in the 2nd inning with bases loaded. Missed opportunities with a infield single, two walks, and a batter getting hit by a pitch allowed 5 runs to score, while leaving the bases loaded. New Caldonia's James Selefen hit a triple to deep center, clearing the bases. Selefen tried to stretch the triple into an inside the park homerun but was met for the final out by Fiji catcher, Aisake Waqavonovono. In a show of good sportsmanship, Selefen embraced Waqavonovono with a good-humoured hug rather than try to run through for the score.
In the top of the 3rd, New Caldonia found itself in the same position with pitcher Thomas Gibbons trying to keep Fiji from repeating the events of the 2nd inning. Gibbons managed to allow just 2 runs. Gibbons was relieved by pitcher Jacques Levy in the top of the 4th, but only managed to pitch 1 inning as the game was called after 4 innings with a score of 22-2. New Caldonia advanced to Day 3 with a record of 1-1, while Fiji looked forward to the afternoons match up against Palau.




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