Westford Over-30 Slow-Pitch Softball

What a difference a week, and maybe a year, makes.  In the past week, the Nashoba Valley Mustangs suffered their fourth loss of the season including a defeat by run-rule to the now first place, Floral Arts squad. This was the second run-rule defeat of the season for the Mustangs.  The final standings will be determined on the final night of regular season play with the top team earning a bye in round one.  The  playoff teams have been set, with Pro Sports Therapy and CSA Graphics outside of the required top seven spots.

Floral Arts 27 - Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 11

Floral Arts defeated the Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs on Sunday evening, 27-11, in five innings. Floral's relentless attack produced 33 hits in four innings, including seven home runs. Floral hit five three-run homers, a two-run shot, and a solo in the contest. Hitting home runs for Floral were Simon Tripp, Geoff Pavao, Ryan Dunn, Matt Critch, Jim Peolquin, Mike Alonardo, and Rob Beaudette. Critch pitched a fine game and benefited from some great defense, including a nice running catch by Chad Kirby in right field and a diving play at second by Ken Delaney. The win moves Floral into sole possession of first place.

Drew Farms 22 - Burton's Grill 9

Drew Farms showed why they earned a spot in the playoffs soundly beating Burton's Grill by the run-rule 22-9. Drews hit early and often and Burton's lackluster offense simply couldn't keep up. Raghu Mantena was a highlight for Burton's going 3-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a blast over the center field fence. Jerry Breen, 4-for-4, three runs scored, two home runs, two RBI and Rick Waldron 3-for-3, and one RBI also contributed in the Burton's loss.

Willis Tent 21 - CSA Graphics 13

A couple no-shows left CSA Graphics playing Willis Tent short-handed, but the gritty last-place team held their own for most of the game.  After a slow start through three innings, CSA fell behind 7-0.  The offense came alive in the fourth and fifth innings, leading to an 8-8 tie game.  Willis got hot in the sixth, aided by some CSA errors, and scored 11 in the top of the inning.  CSA responded with five in the bottom, but a no-run seventh inning left them on the losing end of the game.  Everyone for CSA had multiple hits, but nothing bigger than a double.  Leading the way was Billy Ryan who went 5-for-5.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 20 - Shortcut Landscaping 5

Lefty Jack Erickson led the Mustangs' offense with three hits, including two home run bombs and five RBI.  Erickson also made a tremendous sliding catch in left field.  Fellow southpaws Mark Cusano (2-for-2, home run, two walks, three RBI, three runs scored) and Cormac Bordes also added home run blasts.  Righty slugger Keith Reynolds chipped in with a towering home run of his own. Mike Kennedy had three hits and a couple of outstanding plays at shortstop.  Jim Ward and Jay Lincoln each had two hits and two walks apiece and Ward made a nice leaping catch at the fence. Craig Smith had two hits and the play of the year with a diving catch of a foul popup behind the plate. 

Burton's Grill 15 - Willis Tent 2

Burton's responded well coming off of a couple of bad games to defeat Willis Tent by the run-rule 15-2. Eric Pasters, filling in at short stop for Burton's, made an ESPN-worthy diving stop and then throwing the runner out at first.  Pasters also  contributed two RBI at the plate. Eric Cataline, 3-for-4, two RBI, two runs scored and several nice catches made in left center field. Dave Batchelder added three RBI and pitcher Jerod Colley was 3-for-4 with two RBI.  The bottom of the order, Mantena, Lenicheck, Haley and Morano combined for nine runs scored, 9-for-11 at the plate and four RBI in the vistory.

Pro Sports Therapy 27 - Burton's Grill 14

Pro Sports Therapy ended the season with five run-rule games, three wins and two losses but surely showed in this one the type of team they can be.  PST defeated playoff bound Burton's handily, 27-14.  Lead-off hitter Ryan Steele going 6-for-6 (including two home runs and a double) with seven RBI including the game-ender, and four runs scored;  a Brian Dubey home run;  Ben Armstrong with two home runs and six RBI;  Derek Donegan with four hits;  a Mark Pelosky mammoth home run;  and venerable bench coach Gary Royal ending the season with a 4-for-5 performance including a triple, and scoring four runs- including the final one to end the game.  Burton's contributors included Tim Scott 3-for-3 two runs cored and two RBI, Jerry Breen, three runs scored and two RBI.  John Geary 3-for-3, three RBI and one run scored, Dave Batchelder knocked in two runs and the returning Brian Collamore was 2-for-3 with an RBI in the loss. Burton's was missing four of their top hitters in this one but PST deserved this win any way you look at it.

Floral Arts 17 - Short Cut Landscaping 11

On Tuesday, Floral beat Shortcut Landscaping, 17-10. Larry Mardany pitched a masterful game against the hard-hitting SCL. Chad Kirby played well in left-center and went 4-for-4 at the plate, including a three-run homer. Rob Beaudette also homered in the game. 

Floral Arts 25 - Pro Sports Therapy 9

On Wednesday, Floral Arts earned its 20th win of the season (20-3) in a 25-9 win over Pro Sports Therapy. Floral scored six in the first and 14 in the second inning, then cruised (despite some defensive hiccups) to a 25-9 victory.  Larry Mardany, Jim Peloquin, Mark Chambers, Chad Kirby (inside the park) and Simon Tripp (two) hit homers for Floral. Kirby amassed five hits in the game. Mardany pitched well for Floral.  PST offensive high lights included back-to-back home runs from Ben Armstrong and Brian Dubey.