Westford Over-30 Slow-Pitch Softball

What a difference a week, and maybe a year, makes.  In the past week, the Nashoba Valley Mustangs suffered their fourth loss of the season including a defeat by run-rule to the now first place, Floral Arts squad. This was the second run-rule defeat of the season for the Mustangs.  The final standings will be determined on the final night of regular season play with the top team earning a bye in round one.  The  playoff teams have been set, with Pro Sports Therapy and CSA Graphics outside of the required top seven spots.

Floral Arts 27 - Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 11

Floral Arts defeated the Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs on Sunday evening, 27-11, in five innings. Floral's relentless attack produced 33 hits in four innings, including seven home runs. Floral hit five three-run homers, a two-run shot, and a solo in the contest. Hitting home runs for Floral were Simon Tripp, Geoff Pavao, Ryan Dunn, Matt Critch, Jim Peolquin, Mike Alonardo, and Rob Beaudette. Critch pitched a fine game and benefited from some great defense, including a nice running catch by Chad Kirby in right field and a diving play at second by Ken Delaney. The win moves Floral into sole possession of first place.

Drew Farms 22 - Burton's Grill 9

Drew Farms showed why they earned a spot in the playoffs soundly beating Burton's Grill by the run-rule 22-9. Drews hit early and often and Burton's lackluster offense simply couldn't keep up. Raghu Mantena was a highlight for Burton's going 3-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a blast over the center field fence. Jerry Breen, 4-for-4, three runs scored, two home runs, two RBI and Rick Waldron 3-for-3, and one RBI also contributed in the Burton's loss.

Willis Tent 21 - CSA Graphics 13

A couple no-shows left CSA Graphics playing Willis Tent short-handed, but the gritty last-place team held their own for most of the game.  After a slow start through three innings, CSA fell behind 7-0.  The offense came alive in the fourth and fifth innings, leading to an 8-8 tie game.  Willis got hot in the sixth, aided by some CSA errors, and scored 11 in the top of the inning.  CSA responded with five in the bottom, but a no-run seventh inning left them on the losing end of the game.  Everyone for CSA had multiple hits, but nothing bigger than a double.  Leading the way was Billy Ryan who went 5-for-5.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 20 - Shortcut Landscaping 5

Lefty Jack Erickson led the Mustangs' offense with three hits, including two home run bombs and five RBI.  Erickson also made a tremendous sliding catch in left field.  Fellow southpaws Mark Cusano (2-for-2, home run, two walks, three RBI, three runs scored) and Cormac Bordes also added home run blasts.  Righty slugger Keith Reynolds chipped in with a towering home run of his own. Mike Kennedy had three hits and a couple of outstanding plays at shortstop.  Jim Ward and Jay Lincoln each had two hits and two walks apiece and Ward made a nice leaping catch at the fence. Craig Smith had two hits and the play of the year with a diving catch of a foul popup behind the plate. 

Burton's Grill 15 - Willis Tent 2

Burton's responded well coming off of a couple of bad games to defeat Willis Tent by the run-rule 15-2. Eric Pasters, filling in at short stop for Burton's, made an ESPN-worthy diving stop and then throwing the runner out at first.  Pasters also  contributed two RBI at the plate. Eric Cataline, 3-for-4, two RBI, two runs scored and several nice catches made in left center field. Dave Batchelder added three RBI and pitcher Jerod Colley was 3-for-4 with two RBI.  The bottom of the order, Mantena, Lenicheck, Haley and Morano combined for nine runs scored, 9-for-11 at the plate and four RBI in the vistory.

Pro Sports Therapy 27 - Burton's Grill 14

Pro Sports Therapy ended the season with five run-rule games, three wins and two losses but surely showed in this one the type of team they can be.  PST defeated playoff bound Burton's handily, 27-14.  Lead-off hitter Ryan Steele going 6-for-6 (including two home runs and a double) with seven RBI including the game-ender, and four runs scored;  a Brian Dubey home run;  Ben Armstrong with two home runs and six RBI;  Derek Donegan with four hits;  a Mark Pelosky mammoth home run;  and venerable bench coach Gary Royal ending the season with a 4-for-5 performance including a triple, and scoring four runs- including the final one to end the game.  Burton's contributors included Tim Scott 3-for-3 two runs cored and two RBI, Jerry Breen, three runs scored and two RBI.  John Geary 3-for-3, three RBI and one run scored, Dave Batchelder knocked in two runs and the returning Brian Collamore was 2-for-3 with an RBI in the loss. Burton's was missing four of their top hitters in this one but PST deserved this win any way you look at it.

Floral Arts 17 - Short Cut Landscaping 11

On Tuesday, Floral beat Shortcut Landscaping, 17-10. Larry Mardany pitched a masterful game against the hard-hitting SCL. Chad Kirby played well in left-center and went 4-for-4 at the plate, including a three-run homer. Rob Beaudette also homered in the game. 

Floral Arts 25 - Pro Sports Therapy 9

On Wednesday, Floral Arts earned its 20th win of the season (20-3) in a 25-9 win over Pro Sports Therapy. Floral scored six in the first and 14 in the second inning, then cruised (despite some defensive hiccups) to a 25-9 victory.  Larry Mardany, Jim Peloquin, Mark Chambers, Chad Kirby (inside the park) and Simon Tripp (two) hit homers for Floral. Kirby amassed five hits in the game. Mardany pitched well for Floral.  PST offensive high lights included back-to-back home runs from Ben Armstrong and Brian Dubey.

With the conclusion of the 2017, the Play-off seedings have been set.  The defending champion Mustangs, with a win in extra innings over Floral Arts in their last game of the regular season, took the #1 seed and the bye based on the first tie-breaker (3-1 in head-to-head competition).  Floral will be the second seed and open the post-season in the first game on Tuesday night, August 22nd, at 6:30 against Healy Oil.

The second game will feature the #3 seed Short Cut Landscaping facing the #6 Seed, Drew Farms at 7:45. Healy and Drews were tied at 8-16, with Drews taking the higher seed.  Again, this tie was broked with the head-to-head results, where Drews prevailed based on a 2-1 record against Healy's this season.

In the 3rd game of the night, a 9 PM start, 4th seed Willis Tent will face the #5 seed Burton's Grill.

Each series is a best of 3 games- the first with 2 wins advances.

The Mustangs await the three teams that advance- with the second round scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 27th.  This second round, along with the Finals, will be a best of 5 series.

The Mustangs received their third loss of the season this week but remain firmly in first and far outpace the rest in runs scored.  Floral Arts, also with three losses, is playing strong and owns the number two position.  Healy Oil is playing very well and has done a nice job securing a playoff spot.  Drew Farms and Pro Sports Therapy are grabbing any win they can down the stretch to capture the final opening.

Burton's Grill 18 - Nashoba Valley Mustangs 17

Burton's Grill earned a walk off win over the first place Mustangs in what was a back and forth, run-trading affair. Burton's scored six runs in the first inning highlighted by home runs by Charlie Chungu (2), Jon Russo (1) and Dave Batchelder (1). Burton's scored another four runs in the third bringing the score to Mustangs 11 and Burtons 10. Murph McKeon and Charlie Chungu hit back-to-back home runs in the frame. Both teams scored two each in the fourth and sixth to keep it close and this one was clearly going to come down to the wire. Luke Boulanger hit a clutch blast in the bottom half of the sixth to continue his torrid hitting. The Mustangs posted important runs in the top of the seventh and Burtons came to bat, down three, against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Jerry Breen (three runs scored) hit a single followed by singles from McKeon (3-for-4 three runs scored, two RBI), and Chungu (4-for-4, three runs scored, four RBI). The next two batters popped out, leaving Burton's still down three with the bases loaded and two outs. Dave Batchelder hit a single and knocked in a run, John Geary hit another single that scored two more and tied it up at 17.  Jerod Colley confidently then swung at the first pitch he saw, sending it to the right side of the field and scoring the winning run from third for a Burton's 18-17 win.

Healy Oil 16 - Burton's Grill 9

Fresh off of their win over the number one Mustangs, Burton's came out flat and ran into a offensive and defensive juggernaut in Healy Oil.  Healy, with two outs in the first, mounted the first of many multiple run innings with a grand slam and an early lead they would not relinquish. Home runs came from Tony Pantoja (two), Nick Wilmot (two), Brian Herrmann, Matt Dowling and Bill Eaton. Nick Wilmot (4-for-4) provided a good mix of pitches while being protected by solid defensive plays from Matt Dowling in left, Tony Pantoja at short and Wayne Meadows at third. Colin MacDonald went 3-for-3 despite suffering a knee injury early in the game.  Burton's got a home run from Jerod Colley and Luke Boulanger was 2-for-2 with two runs scored in the loss. Mike Jerzlyo was also on twice for Burtons.

Pro Sports Therapy 25 - CSA Graphics 1

This was the game between the two teams who are currently not qualified for the play-offs.  And, it may have been the least attended game in the history of the league - ten guys on each side and an umpire.  The next closest human was probably at the Franco American nearby. PST got 15 runs in the first to top their season per game average in that one inning and it was 4-3-3 in their next three innings before the run-rule was enforced.  Dave Chirokas threw a gem, only giving up one run in the fourth.  All ten players contributed offensively, highlighted by the season debut of outfielder Tom Rose (4-for-5 with four RBI, four runs scored, and a home run off the light pole that is still rising). Ben Armstrong (4-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored), Donald Slate (home run and seven RBI), Jeff Fuller (double, triple, and four RBI), and Derek Donegan with a home run.  The PST defense was highlighted by a gem of a play on a shot down the line by Tim Schutt at third.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs 22 - Drew Farms 9

Bill Knute is rounding back into shape and ripped two long home runs with seven RBI to lead the Mustangs over Drews.  Fellow slugger Don Cusano contributed four hits, including one home run, five RBI, and a nice diving catch in right.  Jim Ward and Paul Selfrige (home run) both added four hits and three runs scored apiece from their top two spots in the order to set the table. Jack Erickson and Mike Kennedy both chipped in with home run blasts for the winners while Brian Foley and winning pitcher Paul Liguori both had three hits.  Foley made a nice play at catcher, as well.

Healy Oil 13 - CSA Graphics 5

Healy's defense helped out pitcher Nick Wilmot in Wednesday's game with solid plays by Tony Pantoja at short and Wayne Meadows occupying third.  Matt Dowling continues to shine in left with a few inning ending shoelace catches with runners in scoring position. Going deep for Healy was Tony Pantoja, Nick Wilmot, Wayne Meadows and Bill Eaton in the win. CSA Graphics was unable to get into the swing of things and was unable to achieve more than two hits in any of the first five innings of the game.  Healy chipped away continuously to maintain a lead throughout.  CSA's Mike Cioffi led-off the second inning with a solo home run, and then CSA did not score again until the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from Derek MacDermott.  After six innings, Healy had a comfortable 13-2 lead.  CSA tried to mount an attack in the seventh inning, scoring three runs, but left the bases loaded to end the game.  

Short Cut Landscaping 29 - CSA Graphics 23

A good old fashioned pitching duel between Short Cut Landscaping and CSA Graphics, ending in a 29 to 23 victory for SCL.  The scoring was early and often.  CSA kept pace with SCL early, scoring seven runs in the first inning and then three more in the second.  Short Cuts continued to post runs, benefited from many errors on the CSA side, and maintained a lead throughout.  In the fourth inning CSA clawed back, scoring eight, but then again had a quiet fifth inning.  SCL eventually reached the home run maximum, but padded their lead in the top of the seventh inning, yielding a comfortable 11 run advantage.  CSA scored four in the final frame, which was not enough.  While every CSA Graphics player had at least one hit, offensive highlights were Jim DeMarco (4-for-5 with two, two-run home runs), Bill Cullen (4-for-5, including a grand slam), Billy Ryan (5-for-5), and Bob Cullen (three-run homer).

Willis Tent 8 - Healy Oil 5

Healy Oil lost to Willis Tent 8-5 on Sunday's opening game to start the night. Healy, scoreless after the first three innings, tried to rally in the seventh but fell short. Nick Wilmot had a two-run shot over center in the fourth and Dave O'Keefe added another two-run home run over left in the seventh for Healy in the loss. 

Healy Oil and Drew Farms are both putting on a nice end-of-season push to grab the two final playoff spots.  Both are putting distance between themselves and the teams in eighth and ninth position with only a handful of games remaining.  At the other end, the Nashoba Valley Mustangs and Floral Arts are in a race for the top spot and a bye in round one.  Short Cut looks to be a lock in third while Willis Tent and Burtons fight for fourth and fifth, while, in either case, they will face off against each other in round one.

Healy Oil 19 - CSA Graphics 10

There were signs of this one being a slug-fest as Healy posted five runs in both the first and second innings, and CSA Graphics batted through their line-up in the first, amassing seven runs.  However, while Healy continued to score in spurts, CSA did not keep pace. Offensively for CSA, Tim Piwowar, Darren Wizst, Zak Smolkin, and Dave Luro all hit doubles and scored runs.  Josh Haskin was 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI, and Jim DeMarco was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run, and two RBI.

Mustangs 20 - Willis Tent 7 

The Mustangs bounced back from their run-rule loss to bash seven home runs and defeat Willis Tent. The Mustangs scored 13 runs over the first two innings and never looked back. Jack Erickson continued his torrid hitting with two more home run blasts, including a grand slam and seven RBI.  Other home run hitters were Paul Selfrige, Mike Kennedy, Mark Cusano, Cormac Bordes, and Don Cusano.  Jim Ward and Bill Knute made their return to game action and contributed offensively and defensively.  Ward tracked down numerous fly balls at the left center field fence and Knute chipped in with two hits and made a great tag at the plate on a throw from Jack Erickson in left.

Healy Oil 15 - CSA Graphics 14

CSA Graphics, as they have done most games this year, had their bats early with first inning home runs from Jim DeMarco, Jonathan Ring, and Zak Smolkin.  Healy matched the scoring in the bottom half of the frame, resulting in a 4-4 tie after one.  CSA went quiet at the plate for the next two innings, and Healy pulled ahead 9-4 after three.  In the fourth inning, CSA bounced back, batting through their nine man lineup and scoring eight runs.  Jonathan Ring (4-for-5 on the night) had his second home run of the game and just about everyone else for CSA had a single in the inning.  Healy managed to counter and bring the score to a 12-12 tie.  In the fifth inning, hits from Adam Hickey (3-for-5), Zak Smolkin (3-for-5 with three RBI), and PJ Browne (5-for-5, two RBI) put CSA back on top 14-12.  Healy again responded in the bottom half with three runs, taking a 15-14 lead.  Jim DeMarco (4-for-5, three RBI) led off the sixth with a single, but the inning would end with his pinch runner trying to score from third on a 6-4 fielder's choice, getting gunned down at the plate.  CSA left the bases loaded in the seventh. In this back and forth affair,  Healy had a great defensive play by Dan Nucci at home from a Darren Dupre relay.  Matt Dowling had two clutch homers, while both Brian Hermann and David "Pokey" Cannistraro chipped in with one each.

Floral Arts 26- Drew Farms 25

Floral Arts overcame a 12-run deficit against Drew Farms on Friday night to win a tight one, 26-25. In the fifth inning, Drew Farms had two outs, was up by 12 runs, and the runner on second was the potential run that would earn Drews a coveted run-rule win.  But Floral got the needed third out and a chance to bat. Floral scored six runs in the bottom of the fifth, and by the seventh inning had tied the game at 24. In the extra inning, Drew Farms went ahead by one run, but in the bottom of the seventh, Rob Beaudette singled, Roger Whittlesey walked, Jim Peloquin singled and scored Beaudette to tie the game while Whittlesey moved to third. Simon Tripp then hit the first pitch over the fence for a single (Floral had already reached the maximum seven home runs allowed), but that was enough to score Whittlesey and earn the win. Beaudette had a monster game at the plate, going 6-for-7 with two home runs and seven RBI, Tripp also had two homers, scored four runs and knocked in five, Whittlesey hit two home runs, scored four runs, and notched three RBI, and Ken Delaney also homered for Floral. Peloquin pitched in relief in the fifth and only allowed three runs thereafter. 

Short Cut Landscaping 30 - Nashoba Valley Mustangs 17

In a game that happened last week, but didn't get the write-up it deserved, Short Cut picked up a huge win against league leading
Mustangs by slugging thirteen home runs. Chris Clark led way with four home runs, followed by  Mike Gross , Donny Morash, and Brent Oakleaf with two each and Jay Humphrey , Bobby McCormack, and Patrick Flaherty with one homer apiece. Steve Jacobsmeier had a clutch double and Rich Acabbo and Donny Aiken had four hits each. Rob Prendergast had four hits and pitched well enough to improve to 4-0 on the season.  Jack Erickson (four RBI) and Don Cusano had two homers apiece to try to keep the Mustangs offense afloat against the bashers from Short Cut, but it wasn't enough.  Jay Lincoln and Mike Kennedy also homered in the loss and Dr. Paul Liguori had three hits and two RBI. The Mustangs' usual solid defense was sloppy and almost non-existent in their worst played game in years.

Willis Tent 20 - Pro Sports Therapy 6

PST fell to Willis in a barrage of bombs, 20-6 in just five innings.  Willis hit their seven (and what seemed like many more), with the last one being the walk off in the bottom of fifth.  Everyone had a big night for Willis offensively in the win.  PST failed to make a couple of plays that they needed in order to stay in it and had a pretty quiet night offensively. PST was led by a three-run bomb by Derek Donegan and the performance of venerable coach Gary Royal, who went 2-for-2, scoring both times and driving in a run.  

Short Cut Landscaping 25 - Burton's Grill 12

Short Cut played an all round solid game and beat a flat Burton's team 25-12 enacting the run rule in the sixth. Short Cut reached, and exceeded the maximum allowed home runs in the win.  Burton's made some mental errors both on the bases and in the field in the final inning to aid in the loss.  Burton's hitters of note included Jerry Breen 2-for-3, with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI, Greg Fitzgerald was 3-for-3 as was Dave Batchhelder.  Charlie Chungu, Tim Scott and John Geary were all 2-for-3 in the effort with runs scored.  Luke Boulanger again was solid at the plate going 3-for-3 with one run scored and one RBI.

Due to the storms that are passing through the area, the games scheduled for tonight (Wednesday, 8/2/17) have been postponed.  They will now be played on Sunday, August 13th.

6:30  Floral Arts @ Mustangs

7:45  Burton's Grill @ Drew Farms