Westford Over 30 Slowpitch 2024

The first round of the playoffs came to an end on Friday night with Drew Farms eliminating Willis Tent. Drew's had a strong end to the regular season including a do-or-die must win game to even get into the playoffs. After losing their first playoff game, and allowing 31 runs, they came back to beat a good Willis Tent squad twice and head to the second round. In the other bracket, Floral Arts eliminated Pro Sports Therapy in two straight to move to the next round where they will face Short Cut Landscaping.

Floral Arts 9 - Pro Sports Therapy 7

In a back and forth affair with PST answering each Floral rally. Larry Mardany of Floral Arts pitched well in the win and was supported by home runs from Rob Beaudette with two, Ken Delaney, Simon Tripp, and Jeff Moore each with one. PST highlights were Ben Armstrong hitting the first pitch of the game for a home run. Ryan Steele hit a dinger in the fifth and Steve Sawyer hit a solo shot in the sixth as part of a three run inning in an attempt to counter the five that Floral put up in the bottom of the fifth to break open what was a 4-4 game. The PST squad of 17 (with to more on the bench injured) couldn’t withstand the pounding of the Floral home runs which made the difference in the loss.

Willis Tent 31 - Drew Farms 8

In a one-sided slugfest, Willis Tent put up 31 runs on Drew Farms in their first playoff game. Contributions were from nearly everyone on the Willis team, highlights included Dennis Kane, 5-5, Andrew Metters also 5-5 including three doubles, Rob Swinamer, 4-5 including two home runs, and Brian Gallardo, 4-5, two doubles and two homeruns. It didn't end there...Brian Gallardo, 4-5, also with two doubles and a pair of home runs, Stephen Damiani, 4-5, Jon Duffy, 3-3, Jeff Briggs, 3-4 with a home run, Keith Wauter, 3-5 and Roger Neild 3-5 with a home run. Justin Swanson also chipped in with a home run for good measure.

Drew Farms 13 - Willis Tent 8

Drew Farms tied up the series at one a piece with a solid win over Willis Tent. Willis scored two runs in the first inning and six more in the second inning for a total of eight runs, but that’s all the scoring they would do. From the third inning on, Willis only could muster a single hit. Willis lost to Drews 13 to 8. Kevin Adolph and Rob Swinamer each contributed to the Willis effort with a homerun.

Floral Arts 21 - Pro Sports Therapy 1

On Wednesday, Floral Arts clinched a trip to the semifinals by beating Pro Sports Therapy, 21-1. Larry Mardany pitched a masterful game, keeping PST scoreless until the fifth inning, when he gave up a solo shot. Simon Tripp got Floral on board in the first when he knocked in Roger Whittlesey with a home run over the left field fence. Floral also got home runs from Geoff Pavao with two, Rob Beaudette also with a pair, Jeff Moore, and Mike Donaruma. Pavao made a nice backhanded stab at second base in the late innings, Tripp made several nice running catches in the outfield, including a diving play that ended in a double play, and Frank Lancelotta legged out a double in one inning and saved a run at first base in the top of the next inning by catching a liner to his right. Floral Arts will play Shortcut Landscaping in the second round, which begins on Sunday. The only PST offensive highlight was a Ben Armstrong solo home run to lead off the fifth that broke up Larry Mardany’s shut out.  Mardany held PST to just seven hits, as the Floral arts pitching and defense deserved just as much credit for this win as does their offensive explosion.

Drew Farms 14 - Willis Tent 12

Drews put up five in the first inning but Willis battled back and took the lead. A timely grand slam put Drews back ahead, but Willis would not go away. Willis continued to battle and took the lead again. But Drews soon came back with another home run and some aggressive base running. With some incredible infield defense, Drews was able to keep Willis in check, and hold onto the win. It was a fantastic series and one in which Drews surprised the higher ranked Willis to move to the next round.

Regular Season:  Mustangs (23 Wins - 1 Loss)

Play Off Champions:  After a bye in the first round as the #1 seed, the Mustangs defeated Drew Farms (3 Games to 0) and Floral Arts (3 Games to 1).

With a thrilling 14-12 win on Friday night, Drew Farms defeated Willis Tent to advance to the second round of the Westford Over-30 Softball League play-offs.  So, their reward?  Facing the 3-time defending champion Mustangs.  Game 1 is Sunday night at 5:30, followed by the start of the Floral Arts - Short Cut Landscaping series at 6:45.

In the first game of the night, Drew Farms rebounded from Tuesday night's loss to defeat Willis Tent 14-8.  The comeback was more impressive considering Willis scored the first 8 runs of the game.  The Drews win will force a game 3 on Friday.

In the nightcap, it was all Floral Arts.  Pounding the ball all over the field and taking advantage of every Pro Sports Therapy miscue, Floral posted a 21-1 win over PST.  Floral will move on to face Short Cut Landscaping on Sunday in round 2 while PST is eliminated after a season that saw them bounce back from 5 wins the previous year to post 12 this year, one of the largest turn-arounds in recent league history.

First pitch for Friday's finale of Round 1 is 7 PM.  The winner will advance to face the Mustangs on Sunday.

The 2016 play-offs opened with two very different games.  Floral Arts defeated Pro Sports Therapy 9-6 on the strength of a 5 run fifth inning that saw back to back to back home runs.  Willis Tent then came out in the second game and their bats erupted, defeating Drew Farms 31-8.

Game two of both series will be played Wednesday, August 24th, with both Drew Farms and PST looking to call upon the experience gained in their strong finishes to stave off elimination and stretch the series to a third and deciding game on Friday.  The Nashoba Valley Veterinary Hospital Mustangs and Short Cut Landscaping squads await the winners anxiously as last night's gallery can attest.