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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.
Due to the weather and the field conditions it has caused, tonight’s games have been postponed to Sunday. The schedule will be as follows:
5:15 Burton’s Grill @ Floral Arts
6:30 Drew Farms @ PST
7:45 CSA Graphics @ Mustangs
As Yogi Berra once famously said, "it's like deja vu all over again. The Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs won their fourth championship title in a row and their sixth in eight years beating Floral Arts three games to one. The games were very competitive and made for a great end to the season. And, we at least know the food will be good at next year's opening game barbeque.
Nashoba Valley Mustangs 15 - Floral Arts 14 After Floral Arts won game two in their last at bat, it was the Mustangs' turn in game three. On Tuesday night, with the game tied at 14, the Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs' Mark Cusano stepped out to the plate and drilled the first pitch over the fence to win in walk-off fashion, 15-14, and give the Mustangs the 2-1 game lead in the series. Throughout the game, both teams traded the lead several times, until Floral Arts tied it on a Geoff Pavao home run (it was Pavao's second home run of the night). Floral hit seven home runs, including two blasts each by Simon Tripp and Kenny Delaney, and a solo shot by Chad Kirby. The Mustangs kept battling back from run deficits all game, until Bill Knute (4-4, two HR, five RBI) tied the game with a clutch two out home run shot of his own in the sixth inning. Pitcher Don Cusano (3-4, two HR, six RBI) and the Mustangs' defense held Floral scoreless in the top of the seventh, giving "baby" brother the chance to end it, which he did. Jack Erickson was outstanding in the field for the Mustangs, recording two important assists from his short fielder position behind second base, as well as making several running catches in right center field. Number two hitter Jim Ward had three hits and three runs scored to help set the table for the Mustang's big hitters.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 19 - Floral Arts 12 On Wednesday, the Mustangs were down by two in the top of the sixth, but scored seven to pull away for good, 19-12, and earn their fourth straight championship (sixth in eight years). The Mustangs hit only one home run, a shot by Mark Cusano, while Floral hit seven: Roger Whittlesey hit a three-run shot in the first inning, Rob Beaudette hit two in the contest, Frank Lancelotta, despite playing with a black-and-blue hamstring, belted out a solo shot, Chad Kirby hit a solo shot, and Geoff Pavoa and Simon Tripp homered. The Mustangs added four runs in the fifth and five in the seventh to build up a bit of a cushion against the always dangerous Floral squad. Winning pitcher Don Cusano and the outstanding Mustang defense got out of a bases loaded no out jam in the fifth inning without giving up any runs to the middle of the Floral Arts powerful order. The great escape was aided by an outstanding play by second base Paul Ligouri, who back handed a bullet grounder up the middle and flipped to second for the force play. Cusano and the defense combined to shutout their opponents for the last four innings. Mark Cusano was again the hitting star for the Mustangs, going 4-4 with the team's only home run, along with scoring four runs and driving in four as well. Keith Reynolds (4-4, three RBI) and Bill Knute (3-4, two RBI) came up big for the Mustangs' offense, along with super sponsor Craig Smith (two hits), Jay Lincoln (two hits, BB) and Scott Lawrence (two hits). The bottom five guys in the Mustangs' deep lineup combined to get on base 14 times in the total team effort. Knute made several outstanding running catches in left field, while Reynolds made a diving catch at first base of an errant throw while holding the bag to record an important out in the last inning.
Short Cut Landscaping fought their way back in their playoff battle with Floral Arts but lost in game five by the stunning score of 33-30. Short Cut deserves credit for making it a close series as does Floral Arts for earning their 8th consecutive final round appearance versus the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs. The finals stand at one game a piece after a series tying win by Floral on Sunday night.
Short Cut Landscaping 21 - Floral Arts 17
On Tuesday night, with a slight mist falling, Short Cut Landscaping pushed the semifinal series to a fifth game by beating Floral Arts, 21-17. Shortcuts hit seven home runs and played excellent defense. Floral got home runs from Rob Beaudette, Simon Tripp, Chad Kirby, Geoff Pavao, and Larry Mardany.
Floral Arts 33 - Short Cut Landscaping 30
On Wednesday night, Short Cuts mounted a 20-8 lead through three innings, but then Floral chipped away and pulled off the comeback, winning 33-30 in the two hour, twenty-minute contest, thereby earning Floral's eighth straight trip to the championship finals. Floral pitcher Mardany got roughed up early, but in the later inning mixed up his pitches enough to keep the powerful Shortcut team from having any more big innings. Floral went ahead 3-0 in the first inning when Roger Whittlesey (3-for-5, five RBI) hit a home run over the center field fence, scoring Beaudette and Tripp. But Short Cut responded with six runs in the bottom of the inning. David Sullivan had a huge offensive night for SCL, hitting three home runs and knocking in six. Short Cut's Jason Humphrey made several spectacular plays at shortstop, including gunning down a runner at home on a relay throw, and then, in the later innings, he made a diving stop on a ball hit into the hole, and then threw out a runner at second from the sitting position. Tripp was 4-for-4 in the contest, and banged out two home runs, amassing six RBI. Beaduette also hit two bombs for Floral. Ryan Dunn hit an important three-run homer in the sixth inning to bring Floral within two runs of the lead. But the big hit of the night came at the hands of Jeff Moore who cranked a three-run moonshot over the left field fence to put Floral ahead by five runs going into the bottom of the seventh. In the seventh, Mardany induced a quick fly out, but Short Cut wouldn't go down easy, as they managed to score two more runs before lining to second baseman Mark Chambers for the second out. With two men on base, Shortcuts' last batter hit a rocket liner to third baseman Dunn to end the game and the series.
Mustangs 22 - Floral Arts 8 (Game One Finals)
The Mustangs utilized outstanding defense, aggressive base running, and timely hitting to defeat Floral Arts in the first game of their eighth consecutive finals matchup. The game ended with Jack Erickson gunning out a Floral baserunner at second base from right center field. Erickson also threw out a runner at first base earlier in the inning from his short fielder position. Jim Ward combined with shortstop Paul Selfrige to cut down another enemy opponent at the plate on a great relay earlier in the game. Third baseman Mike "Spider" Kennedy played his usual gold glove game by making several diving plays to take away sure hits. Offensively, Ward set the table nicely from his second spot, going 4-4 with four runs scored. Bill "Panda" Knute had three hits, including a homer, a triple and seven RBI. Other Mustang long balls were provided by Erickson, Kennedy, winning pitcher Don Cusano, and Selfrige. Rookie Scott Lawrence had three clutch hits and three runs scored to lead the Mustangs' sluggers. Floral got home runs from Mike Donaruma, Rob Beaudette, and Simon Tripp in the loss.
Floral Arts 13 - Nashoba Valley Mustangs 10
In game two of the series on Sunday night, Floral Arts defeated the Mustangs, 13-10. Floral built a 9-3 lead, but the Mustangs scored seven in the sixth inning to tie the game. This seven run inning included four home runs by Mark and Don Cusano, Bill Knute, and Cormac Bordes. Jack Erickson and Jim ward chipped in with two hits apiece. Floral then tied the game, 10-10, in the bottom of the sixth on a solo shot by Geoff Pavao, and then Floral pitcher Larry Mardany pitched his fourth scoreless inning of the game. In the bottom of the seventh, Chad Kirby (4-for-4) stroked a single, Simon Tripp walked, and then Rob Beaduette hit a three-run walk-off homer. Floral tied the series at one game apiece. Pavao (2), Tripp, Jeff Moore, Beaudette (2), and Ken Delaney all homered for Floral. Mardany was masterful on the mound. This was only the second loss this season for the Mustangs. Paul Liguori played well at second base for Floral in the loss.
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