Westford Over-30 Slow-Pitch Softball

While Floral arts and the Nashoba Valley Mustangs hold onto the top two spots; Short Cuts Landscaping has pulled into a tie for third with Burton' Grill, each with 10-8 records.  All four teams have put up over 300 runs on the season.  Drew Farms, 3E Moving and Healy Oil have the next three playoff spots with the end of the regular season just three weeks away.  

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 22 – Floral Arts 21

On Sunday evening, the Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs came back in dramatic fashion to defeat their league rival Floral Arts, 22-21. The Floral Arts bats were productive throughout the game, but the Mustangs, with no more home runs to use, controlled their swings in the bottom of the seventh and manufactured three runs to win it. Floral’s Simon Tripp had an outstanding night at the plate, going 5-for-5 with two three-run homers. Mike Alonardo hit a grand slam, Roger Whittlesey hit a three-run homer and knocked in four, and both Rob Beaudette and Jim Crowley homered. 

Shortcuts Landscaping 8 – Floral Arts 6

On Wednesday night, Shortcuts Landscaping extended Floral Arts losing streak to two games, beating the first place team, 8-6. Jason Humphrey got the big hit of the game for Shortcuts, a grand slam in the first inning. Larry Mardany pitched a good game and knocked in three late in the game with a homer to left, but it was not enough. Chad Kirby made more than a half dozen catches in left center.

Floral Arts 28 – Burton’s Grill 15

On Friday night, Floral Arts was down by 10 in the fourth inning, but managed to tie it in the sixth, and then scored 13 in the seventh to earn the walk-off win against third-place team Burton’s Grill, 28-15. The top three of the Floral order hit a combined 15-for-16 as Rob Beaudette went 5-for-6 with a two homers and 5 RBI, Roger Whittlesey went 5-for-5 with a walk, two home runs and 4 RBI, and Jim Peloquin was 5-for-5 with a homer. Mark Chambers (3 RS) and Jim Crowley (4-for-5, 4 RS) also homered in the game. Fleet-footed Larry Mardany legged out his third infield single in the last two games. Burton's contributors included Jerry Breen (3-for-4, 3 HR, 5 RBI). Eric Pasters (3-for-4, 3 RS), Dave Batchelder (4-for-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI), and Luke Boulanger, (3-for-4, 2 RBI).

3E Moving 8, Mustangs 7

Mustangs jumped out to a five run lead but their bats went quiet after that until the last inning when a late rally came up one run short.  Dan Crogan led the Mustangs with three hits and turned a double play at second base to stop a 3E rally.  Don Cusano pitched well on the mound and added two hits, including a three run home run.  Other Mustangs with two hits included Jim Ward, Craig Smith and Paul Selfridge Jr., who also made several nice catches in the outfield.  

Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 22  - CSA Graphics 0

Mustang Paul Liguori's four year winning streak on the mound came to a halt during a close playoff loss last fall, but he is working on starting a new streak this year.  The leadoff batter of the game for CSA hit an opposite field single and after that Ligouri allowed no further hits in the first league shutout of the season.  He had plenty of help offensively with Paul Selfrige setting the tone at leadoff with four hits including a home run.  Jim Ward in the two hole added two hits and four RBI.  Bill Knute went 3-for-3 with a home run and four RBI.  Mike Kennedy blasted a grand slam and Mark Cusano smacked a home run of his own.  Paul Selfrige Jr. contributed three hits and some speed on the bases, while Keith Reynolds played well defensively at first base for the Mustangs.   

Pro Sports Therapy 28 - CSA Graphics 17

After facing the potential mercy rule in the bottom of the fifth inning, CSA mounted a furious comeback by scoring 13 runs including homers from Garrett Quinlan, Cody Freihofer, and Bill Cullen (4-for-4, 2 HR, 6 RBI).  But CSA's bats fell silent again at the end of the game. Pro Sports Therapy highlights included Ben Armstrong (3 hits including 2 HRs and 7 RBI), Jeff Fuller (scored all 4 times to go with 3 RBI), Brian Dubey (HR and triple among 3 hits and 4 RBIs), Kirk Legatos (4-5 with a HR), venerable hurler Dave Chirokas (winning pitcher to go with a 4-5 night), and the continued outburst of wily veteran Al Nudler (a 3-4 with 4 RBI night).