Westford Over-30 Slow-Pitch Softball

Westford Over 30 finally began the 2018 season after the opening day BBQ and full slate of games were cancelled due to rain.  The league has made several interesting changes this year including opening the rosters to one 28 year old Westford resident per team or one 30 year or older player from a neighboring community.  Additionally, any homerun after the team game limit of seven is now an out rather than a single which should have an interesting impact on the season.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs 21 - Floral Arts 19

The last time the two of these teams played it was Game Five of the finals in early September 2017, a game in which the lights were knocked out temporarily by a batted softball that struck the wires above the fence and which the Mustangs won to earn the championship. A rainout on the Opening Day this season caused these teams to meet for their first game of 2018. The results were much the same: there was a temporary outage of the lights when a ball struck the wires and the Mustangs earned the victory, 21-19. Floral, which played an uncharacteristically poor defensive game, hit six home runs in the contest. Walter Carmichael hit two home runs and played a solid shortstop for Floral. Rob Beaudette, Simon Tripp, Matt Critch and Chad Kirby also hit home runs for Floral.  The Mustangs came back from two down in the bottom of the seventh to win it on Mike Kennedy's (3-for-5, seven RBI) walk-off three-run home run.  Paul Selfrige (home run, five runs scored, three RBI) and Jim Ward combined to go 10-10 in the top two spots in the order and scored eight of the Mustang runs. Keith Reynolds, Mark Cusano, and Paul Selfrige Jr (in his first league at bat) also homered for the winners.  Dan Crogan added two hits, two runs scored and turned two infield double plays from his second basemen position.

Floral Arts 8 - Drew Farms 4

 Floral Arts played nearly flawless defense, turned three double plays, and swatted two home runs to beat Drew Farms, 8-4. Walter Carmichael and Larry Mardany were the offensive stars of the game. Carmichael hit two home runs and knocked five runs. Mardany hit a three-run double in the first inning. Ken Delaney was 2-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored. Delaney and Carmichael paired up and second and short respectively to turn three well-executed double plays. Matt Critch pitched well for Floral.  

Healy Oil 21 - Nashoba Valley Mustangs 20

Mustangs suffered a letdown in second game of back to back nights and surrendered a four run lead in the bottom of the seventh to a much improved Healy Oil squad.  Paul Selfridge Sr. continued his torrid hitting with two more homeruns, including a grand slam and a solo blast to lead off the game.  Southpaw slugger Bill Knute added two homeruns of his own.  Don Cusano (home run) and Jack Erickson added three hits apiece for the Mustangs, who uncharacteristically were not sharp at all defensively.

Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 19 - CSA Graphics 2

This one was over early as the first 12 Mustang batters reached base via hit or walk and the inning ended with the champs ahead 15-0.  Don Cusano (two home run, seven RBI, three runs scored), Bill Knute (two home runs, three RBI, two runs scored) and Mike Kennedy (3-for-3, home run) led the charge for the winners.  Jack Erickson and Paul Selfridge Jr. chipped in with three hits each and both made nice plays in the outfield for the Mustangs.  Contributing two hits apiece for the winners were Paul Selfridge Sr. (home run), Mark Cusano, Craig Smith, Cormac Bordes, and Paul Liguori, who got the win on the mound.

Pro Sports Therapy 12 -  CSA 7

With Dave Chirokas getting the win on the mound.  Offensive notables were Brian Dubey in the lead off slot (double, home run, and four RBI), Ben Armstrong with two home runs and four RBI, and newcomer Kirk Legatos with a home run.

Pro Sports Therapy 12 - 3E Moving 10 

Led by a Ben Armstrong three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to overcome a 10-9 deficit PST outlasted 3E Moving to win their second straight.  Armstrong had a huge day, with 2 home runs, a double, and seven RBI.  Brian Dubey had another four hits.  The wind blowing in hard from left helped Steve Sawyer keep the big 3E bats at bay and earn his first win of the year on the mound.

Short Cut Landscaping 27 - Burton's Grill 15

Short Cut Landscaping showed they will be a force this season with a lineup of power hitters at every spot. Leading 25-6 after the top of the fifth, Burton's was facing a run rule loss but put up 8 to stay alive.  Ultimately, Short Cut would take the win by a final of 27-15.  Tim Scott went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI at the lead off spot for Burtons.  Charlie Chungo went 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored.  Mike Santiano and Justin Randall also homered for Burtons, while Raghu Mantena, Jeff Kott, Brian Haley, Jason Lenicheck, Dave Batchelder and Murph McKeon all contributed with RBIs in the loss.