Westford Over 30 Slowpitch 2021

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

A couple of  "firsts" were experienced this week in Westford Over 30 Softball as the mighty Mustangs went down to the run-rule allowing the Short Cut Landscaping squad to put up 30 runs against them.  And Pro Sports Therapy, sitting in last place, posted 30 runs of their own against eighth place Healy Oil, also winning by the run-rule.  With just three weeks left in the regular season, the seventh, and final, playoff spot is still up for grabs between the teams currently in sixth thru ninth place.

Willis Tent 6 - CSA Graphics 4

CSA scored two in the first inning courtesy of a Bill Ryan (3-for-3 on the game) two-run homer, and then added two more runs on a collection of singles in the second frame.  Solid defense across the outfield from Jim Coveno, Bill Ryan, Zak Smolkin, and Dave Luro allowed CSA to keep a 4-2 lead over Willis until the late innings when Willis posted four runs to take the lead.  CSA would not score again.

Floral Arts 9 - Burton's Grill 6

Floral Arts improved its regular season record to 16-3 with a 9-6 win against Burton's on Tuesday night. Jim Peloquin played a fantastic shortstop for Floral while going 2-for-3 at the plate and knocking out two home runs. Ken Delaney, Mike Alonardo, and Ryan Dunn also homered. Larry Mardany pitched well, keeping Burton's from hitting any homers. Burton's pitcher Rick Waldren did a great job of mixing his pitches and keeping Floral batters off balance throughout the game.  Burton's Brian Haley had two RBI for Burtons in the loss.

Pro Sports Therapy 30 - Healy Oil 8

In a renewal of one of the storied rivalries in the league, a 12 run PST outburst in the top of the first inning provided a hole that the Oilers could not dig themselves out of; highlighted by a vintage pitching performance by long time PST ace Dave Chirokas.  Chirokas tossed a gem, with the only blemish being a six-run rally in the fourth spearheaded by Bill Eaton and Brian Hermann home runs for Healy.  Chirokas also provided inspiration at the plate, crushing a third inning pitch for his first home run since 2014.  

In this run-rule shortened affair, all ten PST batters had a hit and scored at least two runs.  All but one also drove in a run.  Slate led the PST squad with two dingers (both in the first inning) among his four hits and nine RBI.   Ryan Steele also had a huge night with two home runs, five hits, four runs scored, and four RBI.  Ben Armstrong had five hits, scored five runs, and drove in four.  Brian Dubey was on base all night and scored five runs, including a rocket of a home run.  Steve Sawyer, had a home run among his four hits, scored three times and drove in four.  He also made two highlight sliding catches in the outfield to support Chirokas defensively.  Tim Schutt also posted a solid 4-for-4 effort.

Shortcuts Landscaping  30 - Nashoba Valley Mustangs 17

Jack Erickson (four RBI) and Don Cusano had two homers apiece to try to keep the Mustangs offense afloat against the bashers from Shortcuts, 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," stated veteran Dan Crogan.

With two-thirds of the season completed, the Mustangs remain on top with only one loss at 15-1.  Floral Arts is also having a strong season and sits firmly in second place at 15-3. Short Cut Landscaping and Burton's Grill are 11-5 and 10-6 respectively and are in third and fourth place.  Willis Tent at 9-6 is the only remaining team with a winning record and is in the fifth spot.  The top seven teams earn a playoff berth and the final four teams are each firmly in contention for those two coveted positions. Important games this week include Healy Oil versus Drew Farms and again when Healy plays Pro Sports Therapy.

Floral Arts 16 - Pro Sports Therapy 12

Pro Sports Therapy battled hard and put a scare into second place powerhouse Floral Arts but the stronger team prevailed in the end. Matt Critch and Simon Tripp homered for the winners, who scored five runs in the fourth and six runs in the fifth to provide the margin of victory.  Pro Sports used the long ball to score three runs in four separate innings including two home runs from Ryan Steele and one from Brian Dubey.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs 21 - Burton's Grill 7

Last week's Cy Young pitching for Burton's Jerod Colley ran into the Mustangs' southpaw sluggers who combined for five of the seven team home runs and 13 RBI in the win.  Bill Knute (4-for-4, two home runs, including a grandslam, seven RBI)  and Cormac Bordes (4-for-4, two home runs, five RBI, three runs scored were the leaders of the surge.  Fellow lefty Jack Erickson added a home run of his own, along with righties Don Cusano (three hits) and Keith Reynolds.  Mark Cusano chipped in with three hits and gunned out a speedy Burton's hitter from right field trying to stretch a single into a double.  The Mustangs turned three infield double plays to end potential run scoring innings each time.  Burton's were missing their regular three thru six hitters and lacked the power needed to keep up with the Mustangs.  Murph McKeon contributed as always going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI. Lefty Jerry Breen launched another team leading home run, Jason Lenicheck hit his first career home run as part of his 3-for-3, two RBI night. Kieran Murray also went 2-for-2 for Burtons in the loss.

Willis Tent 15 - Pro Sports Therapy 9

Pro Sports hung tough early:  leading 3-1 in the first, 3-3 after two, and went up 7-5 after three innings.  Then, the bats went quiet, at least on the PST side as the Willis' youth put up five in the fourth and four more in the sixth to pull away while PST could only get two more the rest of the way.  PST got two hits from a bunch of players, but simply not enough in slow pitch softball to win.  Ben Armstrong was the offensive leader again with a double and home run and two RBI.  PST also got a home run and two RBI each from Ryan Steele, Brian Dubey, and Donald Slate.  Willis game standouts were Justin Swanson going 3-for-3 with three home runs, one ruled a single because of the 7 HR rule limit,   Roger Nield 3-for-3 with a single and two home runs, Rick Devanna 3-for-3 with three singles. Also contributing to the Willis win with home runs were John Luttati and John Beebe. 

Burton's Grill 15 - CSA Graphics 2

Burton's tenth win of the season was another run-rule victory, three in Burton's last four games.  CSA played tough the whole way but Burton's was able to chip away with a few runs every inning to close it out after six.  Leadoff hitter Tim Scott was 4-for 4 with two runs scored and four RBI. Kieran Murray kept up his torrid hitting with a triple and two runs scored on his perfect 3-for-3 night.  Eric Cataline scored three times and had three RBI, Jerry Breen knocked in two more runs including the run-rule game winner and Dave Batchelder hit a three-run home run. Rick Waldron scored twice and Luke Boulanger, making his first appearance of the year, shook of the cobwebs and went 3-for-3 with an RBI and three runs scored to win the game MVP.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs 14- Pro Sports Therapy 5

Veteran Mustang's slugger Don Cusano blasted three home runs (eight RBI, three runs scored) to lead the Mustangs to victory after an early deficit to PST.  Jack Erickson set the table from the two hole with three hits, three runs scored and one RBI.  Paul Selfrige blasted a leadoff home run of his own in the bottom of the first after PST's leadoff batter Ben Armstrong launched one to start the game.  Long time Mustang Brian Foley came off the reserve list to chip in with a single, an RBI, a run scored and two nice plays at catcher. Armstrong went 3-for-4 for PST with a double and home run. Brian Dubey and Mark Pelosky also had home runs for PST in the loss.  PST scored in the first to grab an early lead and scored again in the third to take the lead for the second time.  Unfortunately PST didn’t score again until the Mustangs were up 14-4.  

Short Cuts Landscaping 21 - Healy Oil 8

Healy Oil lost to SCL on the only Friday night game of the week, 21-8. With both of Healy's pitchers out, Bill Eaton filled in holding SCL to just one run after four innings. Defensive plays and strong fielding and hustle from Matt Dowling and Brian Herrmann in left / left center kept Healy in this one early. Healy lead 8-5 going into the bottom of the fifth with a three run home run over center from Bill Eaton. However, SCL exploded in the fifth putting up 14 and ended any hopes of a Healy rally.  Credit the Oilers with one of the finest (and most boistrous) alumni sections seen at VFW Field in a long while.

Floral Arts 17 - Willis Tent 2

Floral Pitcher Larry Mardany had quite a game as he carried a shutout into Willis’ last at bat, and contributed two home runs at the plate.  Jim Peloquin made a handful of sparkling plays in the field to help thwart the Willis offense and Mike Alonardo and Simon Tripp added home runs of their own.  Justin Swanson broke up the shut out with a two run bomb for Willis in the fifth.

Drew Farms 20 - Pro Sports Therapy 7

Drew Farms needed a win as they claw for a playoff spot with the season winding down.  They got this one beating PST with a run-rule win 20-7.  Drews hit the game-max seven home runs and an eighth  that counted as a single.  Jeff Fuller went 3-for-3 with his first home run of the season and scored three of the PST seven runs.  Brian Dubey had a big three-run bomb in the first to give usPST an early lead that didn't hold up.

Coming out of the midseason break, several teams continued where they left off posting strong wins and scoring lots of runs.  The Nashoba Valley Mustangs and Floral Arts still sit one and two at the top of the standings but Short Cuts Landscaping, Burton's Grill and Willis Tent are all having a strong season thus far.  With seven of the nine teams making the playoffs this year, the fight for the last two spots between Drew Farms, CSA Graphics and Healy Oil will be heated.

Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 23 - Healy Oil 2

Winning pitcher Paul Liguori kept his four year winning streak alive on the mound for the Mustangs, only allowing two runs in the last inning to narrowly miss a shutout performance.  He was backed by solid Mustang defense and balanced hitting throughout the lineup.  The last four sluggers at the bottom of the Mustang order combined for nine hits, seven runs scored, and 12 RBI in the five inning game.  Ligouri helped himself with two hits, a walk, three runs scored, and two RBI.  Craig Smith had three hits, three runs scored, four RBI.  Dan Crogan added two hits, a sacrifice fly and four RBI, while Scott Lawrence had two hits and two RBI.  The meat of the order also contributed with home run blasts from Paul Selfrige and Bill Knute.  Cormac Bordes and Don Cusano chipped in with three hits apiece.  Outfielders Jim Ward and Jack Erickson made nice catches for the Mustangs, along with the usual steady play at shortstop by Selfrige. Nick Wilmot pitched well in limiting Mustangs home runs and Colin MacDonald pitched in relief and started a 1-6-3 double play in the loss. 

Floral Arts 13 - Shortcuts Landscaping 10

On Tuesday night Floral Arts fell behind early to Shortcuts Landscaping until some seventh and eighth inning heroics by pitcher Matt Critch led Floral to the 13-10 victory. Critch earned his third win of the season on the mound while swatting two three-run homers and knocking in six. SCL scored three runs in the first inning, and Floral answered with two runs in the top of the second (Simon Tripp hit a two-run homer). Floral got a solo homer by Rob Beaudette in the fifth, and then two runs in the top of the seventh to make it 7-5 when Critch homered to give Floral the 8-7 lead. But SCL tied it in the bottom of the seventh. In extra innings, Geoff Pavao scored a runner on a sacrifice fly to deep right center to pull ahead by one, and then Critch and Ryan Dunn each homered to make the score 13-8. SCL scored twice in the bottom of the eighth and the game ended a final score of 13-10.

Burton's Grill 21 - Pro Sports Therapy 3

Burton's scored 11 runs in their first at bat before an out was recorded and never looked back in a decisive 21-3 run-rule victory over PST. Burton's reached seven home run limit with blasts by Tim Scott (2), Gerry Breen (2), Mike Santiano (1), Charlie Chungo (2).  Scott was also 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored.  Santiano contributed four RBI and Breen had five.  Brian Haley was 2-for-3, two runs scored and Eric Cataline 4-for-4.  Jerrod Coley pitched another gem and Dave Batchelder turned a nice unassisted double-play at first. Brian Haley was 2-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and two-runs scored and Murph McKeon was 3-for-4 with three runs scored.  For PST, Ben Armstrong continues his outstanding season, going 3-for-3 with a home run and two of PST three RBI.  Both Andrew Fletcher (2-for-2) and Mark Pelosky were on base each opportunity they got. 

Burton's Grill 17 - Willis Tent 0

Burton's posted back-to-back run rule wins coming out of the mid-season break shutting out Willis Tent in five innings, and just 38 minutes, 17-0. Jerrod Colley pitched a masterpiece allowing only four hits over the five innings.  Burton's has outpaced their opponents 38-3 over the last two games and is in the midst of a record win-streak after many "rebuilding" years. Burtons again posted an 11-run inning in the second getting contributions across the lineup.  Tim Scott, batting leadoff, went 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.  Gerry Breen, walloped yet another two home runs and had six RBI after just two at bats.  Dave Batchelder, 2-for-3, two RBI, two home runs and two runs scored took exception to some trash talk and responded with his second blast.  Raghu Mantena was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and lefty Kieran Murray was 2-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored. Burton's highlights included Charlie Chungo at short who at one time made six put-outs in a row.  Batchelder also played well at first with an error-saving scoop for an out.

Floral Arts 16 - Pro Sports Therapy 12

PST played a great Floral Arts squad tough but came up shortin the end 16-12.  Up by three in top of first and held a lead until the Floral Arts big guns finally started to put some runs on the board.  Floral got five in the fourth and six in the fifth and Pro Sport's three runs every other inning simply wasn't enough. Second year stud Brian Dubey, 4-for-4 with a double and a homerun and four RBI.  Ryan Steele, who bounced back from a tough start to the second half, had three hits (including 2 home runs), four runs scored, and five RBI.  Ben Armstrong and Tim Schutt also posted three hits each in the loss.