Mustangs

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. 

Floral Arts Landscaping eliminated round two opponent Short Cut Landscaping including a 42-7 romp,  perhaps reigniting the run-rule discussion in playoff games.  Burton's Landscaping continues it's Impossible Dream season leading the number one ranked Mustangs squad 2-1 in their series with both teams expecting the return of some big guns for this week's match-ups.

Floral Arts 22 - Short Cut Landscaping 12

On Sunday, Floral Arts was relentless at the plate in their first semi-final game against Shortcut Landscaping, a game Floral won, 22-12. Floral scored in every inning and got terrific defensive support from Chad Kirby (left-center), Jim Peloquin (shortstop), and Dave Janowsky (right field). Floral hit seven home runs in the contest, including two moonshots by Ryan Dunn, a three-run homer by Roger Whittlesey, and multi-run homers by Simon Tripp, Chad Kirby, Rob Beaudette, and Frank Lancelotta. Janowsky had a great night at the plate, going 4-for-4, and pitcher Larry Mardany was 3-for 4.

Floral Arts 42 - Short Cut Landscaping 7

On Tuesday, Floral scored 11 runs in the first inning and then never looked back, defeating SCL, 42-7. Ryan Dunn made several nice plays at third base, as did Ken Delaney at second base and Jim Peloquin at short. Peloquin was 6-for-7 in the game, with two home runs and four batted in. Simon Tripp was 6-for-7 with a home run and four batted in. Roger Whittlesey was 6-for-7 with a home run and six batted in. Rob Beaudette was 5-for-6 with a home run and seven runs batted in. Mike Alonardo was 4-for-6 with a home run and five batted in. Matt Critch was 5-for-6 with three runs batted in, and he played a great defensive game at first base. The win gave Floral Arts a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. 

Floral Arts 21 - Short Cut Landscaping 20

On Wednesday night, Floral Arts needed its last at-bat in the seventh to beat SCL, 21-20. Floral started out strong, getting home runs from Simon Tripp, Rob Beaudette, Frank Lancelotta, Chad Kirby, Ryan Dunn, and Mike Alonardo. But SCL fought back, scoring eight in the top of the seventh to tie the ball game. But in the seventh, Jim Peloquin opened the inning with a single. He was moved to second on a Simon Tripp intentional walk. And then with one out, Rob Beaudette singled home pinch runner Dave Janowsky to win the game. This trip to the finals, which will be against either Burton's Grill or the Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs, will be their ninth trip in a row. 

Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 19 - Burton's Grill 14

The Mustangs brought the series back to even holding off a Burton's effort in the last of the seventh and winning by five. The Mustangs had a nine-run fourth but Burton;s outscored them 8-3 in the final three frames to keep it close till the end. Mustang's Cormac Bordes, 3-for-3, two home runs and six RBI, Mike Kennedy, three hits, three runs scored and two RBI. Mark Cusano and Jay Lincoln each had home runs and Jim Ward robbed a Burton's hitter with a leaping grab over the fence and pulling it back into the park.  Brian Collamore was 3-for-3 with a sacrifice fly in the lead-off spot with three runs scored. Tim Scott had five RBI and two runs scored and a home run. Jerry Breen had a home run along with Murph McKeon and Eric Pasteurs.  Luke Boulanger was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI in the Burton's loss.

Burton's Grill 17  - Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 16

Missing the left side of their infield and three of the season's top five hitters, Burton's squared off, and beat, the number one seed Mustangs giving Burton's a 2-1 lead in the best of five series. Greg Fitzgerald, playing his second game at short, led the way with several stellar plays including the game-winning stop and tag at second to end the Mustangs final drive. The Mustang's, in the midst of a comeback, and possible walk-off finish, were within one run with two men on and a big hitter at the plate.  Fitzgerald dove on a ball up the middle, scrambled to reach second before the runner, and cemented the Burton's win.   Brian Collamore contributed with several good plays at second base and Brian Haley had a key out on a ground ball to third.  Jerod Colley pitched another gem and made several put-outs to help his cause.  Raghu Mantena took a pinpoint throw from Jon Russo in right to nail a runner at the plate in what would be the difference in the final outcome.  The offensive contributions were across the board, Dave Batchelder, (two, two-run home runs and four RBI), Jerry Breen, (3-for-4, home run, three runs scored and three RBI), Murph McKeon, (4-for-4, three runs scored and three RBI), Jon Russo, (4-for-4, home run, three runs scored and two RBI), Jerod Colley, (2-for-4, homerun, two RBI), Jeff Cott, (3-for-4 and a run scored).   Mustangs offensive standouts included Don Cusano two home runs, five RBI, Mike Kennedy three hits, home run, two RBI, Cormac Bordes three hits, home run, three RBI, Jim Ward and Mark Cusano three hits apiece, also home runs by Paul Selfrige and Keith Reynolds. Good infield defense by Reynolds and Dan Crogan kept the Mustangs in the game all night. 

The playoffs have started and Burton's Grill, Floral Arts, Nashoba Valley Mustangs and Short Cut Landscaping remain.  The three out of five second round has begun and each game has a new level of tension and meaning. Sunday night say Burton's beating Mustangs for an early one-up lead. 

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 21 - Floral Arts 20

In a playoff like contest these teams have waged many times before, the Mustangs battled back from a five run deficit in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game up, then came from one behind in the bottom of the eigth to win it on Jim Ward's walk-off two out, two run single to clinch first place and the lone playoff bye.  Bill Knute led the offensive charge with four hits, including two three-run home runs and four runs scored.  Don Cusano (4-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 RS) and Cormac Bordes (3-for-4, two home runs, three RBI, two runs scored) also added two home run blasts of their own. Ward and Jack Erickson had three hits apiece and Mark Cusano added a home run, as well. Defensively, Mustang second baseman Dan Crogan helped turn two infield double plays that got the Mustangs out of trouble each time.

Burton's Grill 26 - Short Cut Landscaping 13

Burtons won the last game of the regular season in a run-rule 26-13 victory over Short Cut.  Leadoff hitter Brian Collamore went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and an RBI. Tim Scott, 3-for-5 with three runs scored and five RBI, Charlie Chungu 5-for-5, five runs scored, three RBI, and Dave Batchelder with two home runs, four runs scored and seven RBI on his 4-for4 night. Jon Russo was also 4-for-4 with two runs scored a two RBI in this regular season ending affair.  Burton's used five different pitchers in the victory.

PLAY-OFF GAMES 

Burton's Grill 4 - Willis Tent 2

In this first playoff game of the tournament, Burton's edged Willis by just two in what was likely the lowest scoring game of the entire season.  Willis led by two until Dave Batchelder, (2-for-3, two RBI) tied it up for Burtons with a two-run blast.  Jerod Colley continued his excellent pitching against the Willis tent squad.

Burton's Grill 20 - Willis Tent 18

Burton's closed out the series over Willis in a tightly contested game- winning in extra innings on a two-run bomb by Charlie Chungu (3-for-5, four RBI and one run scored). Murph McKeon highlighted the Burton's offense with two home runs, and five RBI on a 4-for-4 night.  Tim Scott was 3-for-5, two RBI and three runs scored, Eric Cataline 2-for5, one RBI and a run scored, Jerry Breen 5-for-5, three RBI, four runs scored and a home run.  Jerod Colley went the distance on the mound and contributed with a 3-for-4night at the plate.  Mike Santiano had three RBI on a first inning home run and was intentionally walked twice. 

Healy Oil 13- Floral Arts 12

On Tuesday night, seventh seeded Healy Oil upset second seeded Floral Arts, 13-12, in the first round best-of-three series. Healy began strong, scoring five runs on three home runs in the first inning. Floral answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning and then five more in the second. But Healy Oil fought back, building a 13-10 lead. Floral scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh, and with only one out could not get the runner on third home to tie the game. Mike Alonardo hit two home runs in the contest and knocked in four. Simon Tripp also homered in the loss. 

Floral Arts 21 - Healy Oil 13

On Wednesday night, Floral Arts avoided elimination by defeating Healy Oil, 21-13. Floral got great defense from Chad Kirby in the outfield and Mark Chambers at second base. Simon Tripp, Geoff Pavao (2), Rob Beaudette (2) and Kenny Delaney homered for Floral. Larry Mardany was masterful on the mound. The win tied the best-of-three series at 1-1. Dave Janowsky continued his hot stretch at the plate, going 4-for-4 and knocking in three. 

Floral Arts 29 - Healy Oil 9

On Friday night, Floral Arts beat Healy Oil, 29-9, and earned a trip to the second round of the playoffs. Larry Mardany pitched extremely well for the second consecutive game, and Ryan Dunn and Matt Critch teamed up to make several great plays in the field. Roger Whittlesey (3-for-3, 2 home runs, five RBI), Dunn (3-for-4, two home runs, five RBI), Frank Lancelotta (3-for-4, home run, three RBI), Simon Tripp (3-for-4, home run), and Jim Peloquin (2-for-4, home run, two RBI) were the offensive stars of the game. Floral will play Shortcuts Landscaping in the best-of-five semifinal round. 

Burton's Grill  16 - Nashoba Valley Mustangs 9

In game one of round two, Burton's scored ten runs in the first inning and that was enough to hold off the number one seed Mustang's squad. Jerod Colley pitched another great game, with support from Kieran Murray, Brian Collamore, Brian Haley, Jerry Breen, Time Scott and Murph McKeon in the field. Murray made a nice stab in right while Collamore turned a double-play at second.  Collamore was also 3-for-4 with a sacrifice fly and two RBI.  Jerry Breen also knocked in two, Jeff Cott and Brian Haley each had an RBI and Jerod Colley helped with two of his own. Jon Russo went 4-for-4 and McKeon 3-for-4 in the victory.