Westford Over-30 Slow-Pitch Softball

The Westford Over 30 championship round has begun and the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs, after losing game one, now lead the series 2-1. After losing 20-9 in the opener, the Mustangs have come back with two 22-run efforts to get within one game of again hosting next year's opening day cookout.

Floral Arts 22 - Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 9

On Sunday night, in the first game of the best-of-five playoff finals, Floral Arts gave up seven runs in the first inning to the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs, but then chipped away to ultimately win the game, 20-9. Floral pitcher Larry Mardany settled down after the first inning, only allowing two more runs on a handful of hits. Roger Whittlesey (4-for-4, home run, three RBI) hit a single in the first inning and was knocked home on a Jim Peloquin home run. Simon Tripp (2-for-4, two RBI), Rob Beaudette (2-for-4, three RBI), Ryan Dunn (2-for-3, three RBI), and Mike Alonardo (2-for-2, two BB, four RBI), and Chad Kirby (2-for-5) also hit home runs for Floral. Beaudette, Alonardo, and Kirby each made nice running catches in the outfield. Matt Critch (3-for-4) played well at first base for Floral.  The Mustangs were still only down three going into the last inning when Floral pulled away. Mustang homers were hit by Mike Kennedy and Billy Knute.  They both played excellent defense along with Jim Ward and Paul Selfrige (three hits), who turned an infield double play. Craig Smith added two hits for the Mustangs.

Nashoba Valley veterinary Mustangs 22 - Floral Arts 17

Mustangs overcame a 13 run inning by Floral to take a one run lead into the top of fifth inning when  Paul Selfrige did his best Roy Hobbs impression from The Natural and drilled a homerun laser off the electric wires in left center and blew out the lights on all three outfield light poles.  The game had to be continued the next night when Bill Knute hit the Mustangs last home run, a clutch three-run shot in the fifth to give the winners some needed insurance runs. Mike Kennedy and Dan Crogan (diving stop and throw from second) in the Mustangs infield made some big plays late in the game to help the Mustangs hold off Floral. Paul Selfrige continued his hot streak, going 5-for-5 with two home runs. Other Mustang long ball hitters were Knute (two), Don and Mark Cusano (four hits), and Kennedy.  Jim Ward caught several bullets in left center for the winners and set the table nicely in the two spot with four hits.

Due to a failure of the lights at the ballpark, Game 2 of the Finals series between the Mustangs and Floral Arts was suspended in the top of the 5th inning with the Mustangs holding a 15-13 edge.

Floral Arts holds a 1-0 series advantage thanks to a 20-9 win in Game 1. 

Game 2 will be resumed tonight at 7 PM with Game 3 now scheduled for Friday night.

The Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs came back from being down 1-0 and then 2-1 to win the series and earn yet another trip to the Westford Over 30 series finals. Burton's put up a good fight and capped a season that certainly exceeded expectations and was a big improvement over last year's failure to even make the playoffs.  The Mustangs are a talented team all around and a competitive finals against Floral Arts can be expected.

Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 16 - Burton's Grill 15

An eight-run fourth inning by the Mustangs highlighted a series tying win by the league's top seeded team. Burton's, up 2-1 heading into the game, came up one run short, 16-15, in their final inning effort and failed to close out the series.  Bill Knute led the winners with three home runs, seven RBI and outstanding defense.  Cormac Bordes added two home runs and five RBI, Mike Kennedy, five hits including a home run and turned a third to first double play ending a potential Burton's big inning.  Paul Ligouri, Jack Erickson and Jim Ward had three hits each.  Burton's offensive leaders included: Jerry Breen two RBI and three runs scored, Tim Scott, 4-for-4, three runs scored and two RBI, Eric Pasters, 2-for-4 including two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored and Charlie Chungu and Dave Batchelder both contributed with home runs in the loss.

Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 22 - Burton's Grill 15

The Mustangs played great in the field and scored several runs with two outs to beat Burton's and win game five, and the series. The first three Mustang batters combined to go 12 -for- 12 with 11 runs and scored and 10 RBI. Paul Selfridge was 4-for-4 with two home runs and great work at short. Jim Ward, 4-for-4, four runs scored, Don Cusano 4-for-4, four runs scored, Keith Reynolds 4-for-4 and a home run and Mike Kennedy, 4-for-4 including a grand slam. Burton's countered with Tim Scott 3-for-4, two runs scored, Brian Collamore, 2-for-3, two runs scored and a sacrifice fly, Jerry Breen, 3-for-4, two home runs, six RBI, two runs scored, Mike Santiano, a home run, two RBI and three defensive positions covered, Jerod Colley, home run and three RBI, and John Russo, 3-for-4 three runs scored and a home run.  Other notable Mustang contributors included Cormac Bordes with his sixth home run of the series, Mark Cusano with a home run, Craig Smith, three hits and good defensive plays by Erickson and Knute for the series winners.

Friday night saw upstart Burton's Grill and the defending champion Mustangs squads go toe-to-toe in a Game 5 match-up to determine who would advance to face Floral Arts.  The Mustangs were looking to renew a longstanding rivalry with Floral Arts, while Burton's was looking to advance to the Finals for the first time since they made an appearance as Mario's Restaurant in 2003.  After exchanging home runs in a very even game throughout the night, the Mustangs experience carried them to a 22-15 win.

This will mark the 9th year in a row that Floral Arts and the Mustangs have opposed each other for the league crown.  The Mustangs hold a 6-2 advantage in this championship run.  The last time that the Finals did not match up these two squads was 2008, when Healy Oil defeated PST in 5 games.  This is also the 12th time in the last 14 years that the Mustangs have advanced to the title series.  This run of excellence is only comparable to one a generation ago when Drew Farms won 10 of 13 titles between 1985 and 1997.

Game one is Sunday night at 7 PM.

UPDATE:  Tonight's fifth game has been postponed due to weather / field conditions.  It will now be played on Friday, September 8th, at 7 PM.  The Finals are now scheduled to start on Sunday, September 10th, at 7 PM.

****** 

It's that time of year- every game is more important than the last one.  And last night was no different.  Down 2-1 in the semi-finals, the Mustangs staved off elimination with a 16-15 win over Burton's Grill to force a deciding game 5 this evening.  But that was not without Burton's making a statement and scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to draw within 1.  With the tying run at the plate, the Mustangs induced a series extending ground ball.

Game time this evening is 7 PM.  The winner will move on to face Floral Arts in a best of 5 Finals beginning on Friday.