Westford Over-30 Slow-Pitch Softball

Short Cut Landscaping fought their way back in their playoff battle with Floral Arts but lost in game five by the stunning score of 33-30. Short Cut deserves credit for making it a close series as does Floral Arts for earning their 8th consecutive final round appearance versus the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs. The finals stand at one game a piece after a series tying win by Floral on Sunday night.

Short Cut Landscaping 21 - Floral Arts 17

On Tuesday night, with a slight mist falling, Short Cut Landscaping pushed the semifinal series to a fifth game by beating Floral Arts, 21-17. Shortcuts hit seven home runs and played excellent defense. Floral got home runs from Rob Beaudette, Simon Tripp, Chad Kirby, Geoff Pavao, and Larry Mardany.

Floral Arts 33 - Short Cut Landscaping 30

On Wednesday night, Short Cuts mounted a 20-8 lead through three innings, but then Floral chipped away and pulled off the comeback, winning 33-30 in the two hour, twenty-minute contest, thereby earning Floral's eighth straight trip to the championship finals. Floral pitcher Mardany got roughed up early, but in the later inning mixed up his pitches enough to keep the powerful Shortcut team from having any more big innings. Floral went ahead 3-0 in the first inning when Roger Whittlesey (3-for-5, five RBI) hit a home run over the center field fence, scoring Beaudette and Tripp. But Short Cut responded with six runs in the bottom of the inning. David Sullivan had a huge offensive night for SCL, hitting three home runs and knocking in six. Short Cut's Jason Humphrey made several spectacular plays at shortstop, including gunning down a runner at home on a relay throw, and then, in the later innings, he made a diving stop on a ball hit into the hole, and then threw out a runner at second from the sitting position. Tripp was 4-for-4 in the contest, and banged out two home runs, amassing six RBI. Beaduette also hit two bombs for Floral. Ryan Dunn hit an important three-run homer in the sixth inning to bring Floral within two runs of the lead. But the big hit of the night came at the hands of Jeff Moore who cranked a three-run moonshot over the left field fence to put Floral ahead by five runs going into the bottom of the seventh. In the seventh, Mardany induced a quick fly out, but Short Cut wouldn't go down easy, as they managed to score two more runs before lining to second baseman Mark Chambers for the second out. With two men on base, Shortcuts' last batter hit a rocket liner to third baseman Dunn to end the game and the series.

Mustangs 22 - Floral Arts 8 (Game One Finals)

The Mustangs utilized outstanding defense, aggressive base running, and timely hitting to defeat Floral Arts in the first game of their eighth consecutive finals matchup. The game ended with Jack Erickson gunning out a Floral baserunner at second base from right center field. Erickson also threw out a runner at first base earlier in the inning from his short fielder position. Jim Ward combined with shortstop Paul Selfrige to cut down another enemy opponent at the plate on a great relay earlier in the game. Third baseman Mike "Spider" Kennedy played his usual gold glove game by making several diving plays to take away sure hits. Offensively, Ward set the table nicely from his second spot, going 4-4 with four runs scored. Bill "Panda" Knute had three hits, including a homer, a triple and seven RBI. Other Mustang long balls were provided by Erickson, Kennedy, winning pitcher Don Cusano, and Selfrige. Rookie Scott Lawrence had three clutch hits and three runs scored to lead the Mustangs' sluggers. Floral got home runs from Mike Donaruma, Rob Beaudette, and Simon Tripp in the loss.

Floral Arts 13 - Nashoba Valley Mustangs 10

In game two of the series on Sunday night, Floral Arts defeated the Mustangs, 13-10. Floral built a 9-3 lead, but the Mustangs scored seven in the sixth inning to tie the game. This seven run inning included four home runs by Mark and Don Cusano, Bill Knute, and Cormac Bordes. Jack Erickson and Jim ward chipped in with two hits apiece. Floral then tied the game, 10-10, in the bottom of the sixth on a solo shot by Geoff Pavao, and then Floral pitcher Larry Mardany pitched his fourth scoreless inning of the game. In the bottom of the seventh, Chad Kirby (4-for-4) stroked a single, Simon Tripp walked, and then Rob Beaduette hit a three-run walk-off homer. Floral tied the series at one game apiece. Pavao (2), Tripp, Jeff Moore, Beaudette (2), and Ken Delaney all homered for Floral. Mardany was masterful on the mound. This was only the second loss this season for the Mustangs. Paul Liguori played well at second base for Floral in the loss.