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Final night of the regular season and playoff seeding is still in flux. A PST win could put the Burton's squad in a very tough first round match-up with the Mustangs. Floral Arts officially has the bye and CSA is out recruiting for next season.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 27 - Burton's Grill 18
Paul Selfrige Senior (4-for-5, HR, 4 RBI) and Mike Kennedy blasted grandslams early in the contest to help the Mustangs win a slugfest over Burtons. Paul Selfrige Junior joined Dad in the longball department with two of his own. Bill Knute and Don Cusano did their thing from the three and four slots with five hits apiece, including a homerun for each of them. Jack Erickson added four hits, including a bomb of his own. Jay Lincoln chipped in with 4 hits and Paul Liguori contributed three hits, including an RBI double. For Burtons in the loss: Erik Pasters (4-for-5, 2 RS), Jerry Breen (4-for-5, 2 RS 4 RBI), Charlie Chungu (2-for-4, 2 RS, 1 RBI), Mike Santiano (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI), Dave Batchelder (3-for-4 6 RBI), John Geary (3-for-4, 1 RS), Jerod Colley (2-for-4, 1 RBI)
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 17 - Burton's Grill 4
Two home runs apiece from winning pitcher Don Cusano and Bill Knute led the Mustangs. The Paul Selfrige father-son combo homered in the same game for the fourth time this year. Jack Erickson also blasted a home run in his second straight game. Jim Ward made a great leaping catch at the fence and added three hits and three runs scored while Jay Lincoln and Cormac Bordes, fresh off the disabled list, chipped in with two hits each. Knute also made a nice catch in left field for the Mustangs. Dave Batchelder had a three-run shot for Burtons in the loss.
Floral Arts 22 - CSA Graphics 9
Floral Arts and CSA Graphics began their game, each scoring six runs in the first inning. After CSA took a 7-6 lead in the top of second, the sky opened-up and the tilt had to be postponed due to the rain. Upon resuming the game a few nights later, Floral posted four runs in the bottom of the second. CSA could not keep pace, only scoring two in the third, which was then followed by another six from Floral who continued the offensive onslaught and eventually put CSA away by mercy rule. Cody Freihofer went 3-for-3 with a home run and Garrett Quinlan was 2-for-3 with a double and homer on the losing side.
Drew Farms 22 - CSA Graphics 6
Drew Farms went right to work early, posting seven runs in the top of first inning. After two innings it was 10-4 in favor of Drew's, and then Drew's exploded for another seven runs in the third inning and five in the fourth. CSA Graphics had solo home runs from Cody Freihofer (3 for 3) and Garrett Quinlan (2 for 3) in the 5th inning. Great defense by Zak Smolkin at third and Ben Pacific at short kept the game from getting even more out of hand.
Healy Oil 16 - CSA Graphics 3
It seemed they might run out of zeros to use on the scoreboard, but Healy scored when it mattered, beating CSA Graphics 16-3. Healy scored four in the first inning and never gave up the lead, scoring another six in the third, and keeping CSA scoreless thru three innings. CSA got on the board with a Bill Cullen two-run homerun in the fourth inning, and added another run in the fifth with a sacrifice fly from Jim Coveno, scoring Chris Brisson. The CSA rally was cut short, though, after a sharp line-drive caught at third allowed Healy to double-up a CSA runner on second base. In the top of the seventh inning, Healy captured enough runs to end the game per mercy rule.
Floral Arts 17 - Healy Oil 11
The game began slowly with Floral scoring only once in each of the first three innings, highlighted by a Dave Janowsky home run, and Healy only scoring in the first inning. But then Floral plated ten runs in the next two innings, as Mike Alonardo and Jim Crowley each stroked three-run homers. Healy Oil plated five in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the game 13-8, but in the top of the seventh Ken Delaney hit a grand slam for Floral to add a little insurance to the lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Healy got five hits, including a three-run homer, but, with men on first and second, a hard shot to Delaney at third was followed by a race to the third base bag, which Delaney won to get the final out of the game. Healy's bats didn't come alive until the 4th inning with Nick Wilmot sending a line drive over the center field fence. Healy couldn't match the consistent hitting of Floral and had plenty of opportunities to bounce back but stranded 14 base runners during the contest. Home runs for Healy came from Nick Wilmot (2) and Tony Pantoja. Defensive standouts were rookie Dan VanShalkwyk who continues to shine in left field as well as Wayne Meadows at third base.
Short Cut Landscaping 30 - CSA Graphics 3
CSA Graphics scored three in the top of the first inning, but Short Cuts rebounded with four in the bottom half of the frame. After a 1-2-3 second inning for CSA, they made roughly a dozen errors in the bottom of the second, allowing SCL to score 23 in the inning. It was no longer a game after that, another 1-2-3 in the third followed by three more runs for SCL made it 30-3, and that is how the tilt ended. Jeff Bernier played in his first game of the year for CSA, and brought his usual swagger, but it was just not enough.
As the final week of the regular season arrives, so did several nights of rain. The final standings and playoff picture is near set- Floral Arts is a win away (or a Mustangs loss) from securing the first round bye while CSA Graphics and Pro Sports Therapy won't be attending the post season. Due to some rainouts, there remain some important match-ups that could alter seedings and playoff opponents.
Burton's Grill 19 - Drew Farms 6
Burton's put up 16 runs in the top of the first inning to post a lead from which Drews could not recover. Jerry Breen led the winning squad with a 4-for-4 night including three home runs and eight RBI, including the game winning walk-off. Dave Batchelder, (HR, 5 RBI), had a strong night at the plate as well as on the mound achieving the win. Every Burton's player had at least one hit and all but one crossed the plate in this important late season victory.
With very little time left in the regular season, teams are either jockeying for a first round bye in the play-offs, better seeding, or simply the last spot. Floral Arts and the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs sit at the top with Short Cut Landscaping right behind. The next four teams are all with either nine or ten wins and in a position for a more favorable first round opponent. Pro Sports Therapy with seven wins is on the outside looking in- hoping for a late season miracle run and a way in.
Healy Oil 16 - Burton's Grill 2
Nick Wilmot continues to shine on the mound for Healy leading them to a 16-2 rout of the Burton's squad. Going deep for Healy was Dan VanSchalkwyk (2), Wayne Meadows (2), Nick Wilmot, Tony Pantoja and Colin MacDonald. Tony Pantoja hit for the cycle for Healy picking up the required single, double, triple and a home run at his four times at the plate.
Floral Arts 17 - Healy Oil 11
On Friday night, first place Floral Arts defeated Healy Oil, 17-11. The game began slowly with Floral scoring only once in each of the first three innings, highlighted by a Dave Janowsky home run, and Healy only scoring in the first inning. But then Floral plated ten runs in the next two innings, as Mike Alonardo and Jim Crowley each stroked three-run homers. Healy Oil plated five in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the game 13-8, but in the top of the seventh Ken Delaney hit a grand slam for Floral to add a little insurance to the lead. In the bottom of the seventh, Healy got five hits, including a three-run homer, but, with men on first and second, a hard shot to Delaney at third was followed by a race to the third base bag, which Delaney won to get the final out of the game. Healy's bats didn't come alive until the fourth inning with Nick Wilmot sending a line drive over the center field fence. Healy couldn't match the consistent hitting of Floral and had plenty of opportunities to bounce back but stranded 14 base runners during the contest. Home runs for Healy came from Nick Wilmot (2) and Tony Pantoja. Defensive standouts were rookie Dan VanShalkwyk who continues to shine in left field as well as Wayne Meadows at third base.
Nashoba Valley Mustangs 12 Pro Sports Therapy 5
Paul Selfrige Jr. blasted 2 home runs (5 RBI) to lead the Mustangs. The elder Paul Selfrige was on base both times with doubles (3-for-4, RBI, 2 RS) and came around to score. Don Cusano (3-for-4, RBI, 2 RS) had the only other bomb for the Mustangs. Adding two hits apiece for the winners were: Mark Cusano, Keith Reynolds, Nate Frazee, Paul Liguori, and Dan Crogan. Mark Cusano and Selfrige Jr. made several outstanding running catches in the outfield for the victors. Highlighting the PST offense were 2-run home runs from Kirk Legatos and Anthony Cadorette. Low-lights were 8 hits in 7 innings.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 24 - Healy Oil 11
Winning pitcher Don Cusano cruised through this one going 5-for-5 with three home runs and five RBI. Cusano was well supported in the power department with bombs from teammates Bill Knute, Mark Cusano, and Mike Kennedy. Jack Erickson and Paul Selfrige added four hits each and Paul Ligouri chipped in with a 3-for-3 performance. Nate Frazee played well in the outfield for the Mustangs in the win.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustang Arts 22 - Floral Arts 21
Another fantastic finish home team walk off victory in this classic rivalry with the Mustangs rallying from 3 runs behind in the bottom of the 7th to pull off the win. The Mustangs trailed throughout the entire game, but posted 4 run innings 5 separate times in the game, including the last inning after they shut down the powerful Floral Arts offense in the top of the 7th for the first time all night. The Mustangs final rally happened with all singles because they were out of homeruns and the winning run scored on an infield grounder. Mustang sluggers Bill Knute (5-5, 2 HRs, 5 RS, 4 RBI) and Don Cusano (4-5, 2 HRs, 4 RS, 5 RBI) led the winners with help from Mike Kennedy (4 hits, 3 RBI) and Nate Frazee (single, double, HR). Jim Ward added 3 hits and 4 runs scored from his two spot in the order while Keith Reynolds and Mark Cusano added key homeruns for the winners. The Mustangs cut down a key run at the plate with a relay from Jack Erickson to Don Cusano to Frazee.
Short Cut Landscaping 30 - CSA Graphics 3
CSA Graphics scored three in the top of the first inning, but Short Cut rebounded with four in the bottom half of the frame. After a 1-2-3 second inning for CSA, they made roughly a dozen errors in the bottom of the second, allowing SCL to score 23 in the inning. It was no longer a game after that, another 1-2-3 in the third followed by three more runs for SCL made it 30-3, and that is how the tilt ended. Jeff Bernier played in his first game of the year for CSA, and brought his usual swagger, but it was just not enough.
Drew Farms 22 - CSA Graphics 6
Drew Farms went right to work early, posting seven runs in the top of first inning. After two innings it was 10-4 in favor of Drew's, and then Drew's exploded for another seven runs in the third inning and five in the fourth. CSA Graphics had solo home runs from Cody Freihofer (3 for 3) and Garrett Quinlan (2 for 3) in the 5th inning. Great defense by Zak Smolkin at third and Ben Pacific at short kept the game from getting even more out of hand.
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).
Floral Arts, Nashoba Valley Mustangs and Burton's Grill all reached the double digit mark in wins this week and retained their 1, 2 and 3 spots in the standings. Positions 4-8 are all close and even the 9th spot held by CSA Graphics with four wins could change if a nice win streak can be put together.
CSA Graphics 11 - 3E Moving 10
Despite trailing the entire game and only hitting one home run to 3E's six, CSA Graphics overcame a four-run deficit going into the seventh inning to win, 11-10. The CSA comeback was sparked by leadoff singles from Bill Cullen and Sean Troy, followed by a well-timed three-run homer from Garrett Quinlan. CSA then had four consecutive one-out singles to tie the game, with the last one coming from Cody Freihofer (3-for-4, 3 RBI). Josh Haskin (4-for-4, 4 runs) scored the go-ahead run on a fielders' choice, and the CSA defense held in the bottom of the inning to preserve the win.
Pro Sports Therapy 14 – 3E Moving 12
3E jumped out early, putting up some crooked numbers in the first (4) and third (5). PST chipped away with single runs in the second, third and fourth, then exploded for 11 in 5th to take the lead. PST turned a big double play in the 6th, but 3E fought back, putting up three in the top of the 7th. PST held on with Steve Sawyer making a couple of big pitches to get the final out and the victory. PST was led offensively by home runs from Brian Dubey and Steve Sawyer, along with wily veteran Al Nudler who came up with two big RBI singles in the 11-run rally.
Burton's Grill 22 - Short Cut Landscaping10
Burton's continued its winning ways with a solid 22-10 defeat over SCL on Friday night. Leadoff hitter Tim Scott (4-for-4, 3 runs scored) joined forces with Charlie Chungu (3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI), Dave Batchelder (4-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Jerod Colley (3-for-3, 2 RBI) and Mike Santiano (3-for-3, HR, 5 RBI).
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