Westford Over 30 Slowpitch 2021

Spring has officially arrived as Westford Over 30 softball kicked off the 2017 season with its annual opening day cookout and full game schedule.  Again, the Mustangs hosted the affair due to their winning the 2016 league championship. The Mustangs have the cookout down to a science having won the championship so many years in a row.  The heavy rain held off and a full-complement of scores were reported.

Burtons Grill 16 - CSA 2

Burtons took an early lead but then blew it wide open scoring nine to win by the run-rule.  Homeruns by Charlie Chungu, Eric Cataline and newcomer Mike Santiano led the way for Burtons. Cataline also had three hits and four RBI picking up from where he left off last season.  Peter Morano legged out a nice double and Jerod Colley pitched well in the win. CSA looked ready to compete this year with some new faces. One highlight came from Tim "Wolverine" Greenwood, who had a solo shot that went over the light poles.

Healy Oil 9 - Pro Sports Therapy 6

Healy trailed 6-3 until the fourth inning when Healy put up six runs initiated by a Brian Herrmann three-run shot over the centerfield fence. Also going long was Tony Pantoja who put the second pitch of the game over the fence in left.  Nick Wilmot pitched well mixing up the pitch format while Wayne Meadows and Tony Pantoja shined at third and shortstop.  PST highlights included Ben Armstrong (3-3 with a homerun), Jeff Fuller (2-2 with a double), a Ryan Steele homerun, and Al Nudler- who posted what might have been the slowest motion triple in the history of the league, according to his coach.

Floral Arts 14 - Willis Tent 11

After three innings, Floral had a 6 to 3 lead over Willis.   Willis began the fourth inning with three singles to load up the bases for teammate Dennis Kane who quickly cleared them with a towering grand slam.  Willis followed with two more singles and a double taking a 9 to 7 lead over Floral heading into the fifth.  Willis scored one more run in the sixth and Floral answered with four of their own taking an 11 to 10 lead after six.  Willis would tie it up with a Justin Swanson homerun in the bottom of the seventh but Floral shut Willis down with three run walk off homerun.    Floral Arts  wins over Willis Tent 14 to 11.  Notable Willis game contributors were, Justin Swanson going 3-3 with a single and two homeruns, Kevin Adolph 3-3 with two singles and a triple and Dennis Kane with grand slam.  Floral Arts left-fielder Rob Beaudette had a big day at the plate, stroking two home runs, a three-run shot in the first inning and another three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning, to give Floral an Opening Day win. Beaudette, who was 4-for-4, also made several nice catches in left. Larry Mardany pitched a strong game for Floral and chipped in with two hits. Roger Whittlesey (3-for-4 with a home run), Simon Tripp (3-for-4 with a home run) and Geoff Pavao (4-for-4 with a home run) contributed consistently from the top of the order. 

Floral Arts 25 - CSA 9

Floral Arts improved its record to 2-0 with a 25-9 win over CSA. Jim Peloquin (3-for-3, BB) had a big night at the plate. The shortstop hit two grand slams. Simon Tripp also hit a home run. Larry Mardany pitched well for Floral; and he was backed by some solid defensive plays by outfielder Chad Kirby and infielders Matt Critch, Ken Delaney, and Peloquin. 

Short Cuts Landscaping 20 - Healy Oil 7

Healy was down 10-1 going into the top of the 4th and was able to rally 6 runs thanks in part to a Matt Dowling grand slam.
In the end Healy just couldn't match the offensive strength of SCL despite Wayne Meadows doing a good job of mixing up the pitch format. 

Willis Tent 8 - Nashoba Valley Veterinary 4

A combination of some great pitching provided by Darren Swanson and solid offense and defense all around earned  Willis Tent a well deserved  win over team Mustangs.  Willis held Mustangs to only four runs, all the while scoring eight runs of their own. The Mustangs attempted a comeback,  loading up the bases in the top of the 7th but a spectacular “game ending”  diving catch by Willis left fielder Brian Gallardo ended the Mustangs charge.  Notable contributions to the Willis win were Roger Neild going 3 for 3, all singles,   Kirt Andjus going 2 for 2 with a double and a homerun,  Darren Swanson going 2 for 2  with single and a homerun, Zack Ellis going 2 for 2 with two singles. Also contributing to the win with homeruns  were Dennis Kane and Stephen Damiani and a triple by Brian Gallardo.