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The Mustangs continue to win, and win big, but the story of the week is Healy Oil is on the board with their first two wins of the season. Healy notched back to back quality wins and hope to work their way back into the playoff picture with plenty of time to go.
Burton's Grill 16 - CSA Graphics 13 In a match between the sixth and seventh place teams (six teams make the playoffs), Burtons edged an improving CSA squad 16-13. Burtons opened the game with three runs, two on a John Geary single with the bases full, but CSA Graphics then answered with nine runs of their own in the first. CSA's assault was led by Matt Sepe's three-run homer (2 for 4 with two home runs on the night) and Mike Cioffi's grand slam (3 for 4 on the night). Several big hits taking advantage of numerous Burtons miscues gave CSA a comfortable lead after one However, Burtons pitcher Jerod Colley, following sage advice to increase his arc, basically shut down CSA allowing only four more runs over the final six innings. Burtons hitting and defense was led by rookie of the year nominee Eric Cataline going 4-4 with two singles, a double, and a homerun, four runs scored and three RBI. Tim Scott, partnered with Cataline in the outfield, went 3-4 with two singles, one homerun, two runs scored and three RBI. Both Catalane and Scott continued their great defense making key grabs in left and left center including a game ending stab by Cataline. Other notables included Peter "Mario" Murano with two singles, the game tying RBI and a cardiac testing run scored from second base. Luke Boulanger and Jon Russo also chipped in with key homeruns for Burtons who are now at 5-5 on the season. Colley helped out himself dogging out a triple usually seen in a Tough Mudder event.
Healy Oil 22 - Short Cuts Landscaping 21 In a slugfest, Healy is now on the board with a win, it's first, outdueling SCL in an eight inning battle, 22-21. This is a notable effort with a ninth place team beating a fourth place team and bringing SCL back to the pack. Healy saw the return of Tom Hudson on the mound who pitched a solid game. Healy Oil got off to an early start with a lead off home run by Matt Dowling who continues his hot streak of at least one home run in every game. Brian Herrmann followed shortly thereafter with a two run blast over the center field fence. From that point on it was a combination of singles and double for the remaining seven innings including a 10 run fourth inning that consisted of seven singles and a three run triple by Captain Bill Eaton. Healy loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth when Dan Nucci launched a walk-off single to win the game for Healy. Notable Healy defense was Wayne Meadows at third base. Also notable was that Healy started their grill and cooking at 6 PM for their 7:45 game and the smell of barbeque permeated the field for several hours making it feel like a night game at Fenway for all.
Healy Oil 10 - Pro Sports Therapy 9 Yes, it's true, Healy Oil has won two in a row and have started to hit the ball well and are no longer a team to count on as an easy win. Healy jumped out to an immediate 3-0 lead on Pro Sports Therapy, but saw that quickly turn into a 3-3 tie after one inning. PST then posted four more in the second on a Ben Armstrong Grand Slam to take a 7-3 lead. Healy pitcher Wayne Meadows then shut down the PST bats for three innings incorporating many different pitching angles and depths.The Oilers chipped away and eventually took an 8-7 lead in the 6th. Once again, PST tied it up but Healy again grabbed the lead, putting up two more. PST continued to battle cutting the lead to one on another Armstrong homerun. A Jerry Cressman double that was just short of being a walk-off HR put runners at second and third with the tying run just 65’ away. Healy defied conventional wisdom, which would have had Meadows walk the clean-up hitter to load the bases and, instead, pitched to him and survived with a great catch by Brian Herrmann in right center field. Herrmann also went 3-4 with two doubles and two RBI. On the PST side, Ben Armstrong was again a force at the top of the order, going 4-4, scoring three runs and driving in five. Jeff Fuller was the tough luck loser for PST, matching Meadows throughout despite a defense that struggled at times.
Floral Arts 26 - CSA Graphics 3 On Friday evening, Floral Arts defeated CSA, 26-3, to improve to 5-2 on the season. Rob Beaudette made several outstanding plays at shortstop for Floral and went 4-for-4, with two home runs and seven RBI. Larry Mardany and Frank Lancelotta combined on the mound to keep CSA to just three runs, and neither allowed a home run. Floral Arts got strong offense from Geoff Pavao (4-for-4, three-run homer), Simon Tripp (3-for-4, two-run homer), Ryan Dunn (three-run homer), Lance Lotta (three doubles), and Roger Whittlesey (3-for-4, four runs).
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 22 - Drew Farms 7 Don Cusano led the offensive attack (two HR, three RBI, three runs scored) and got the win on the mound. Baby brother Mark Cusano chipped in with three hits, including a homer. Fellow lefty Jack Erickson added teo hits, a blast of his own and four RBI. Righty Mike Kennedy contributed three hits and a big fly of his own, along with three RBI. Per usual, Paul Selfrige set the tone at the top of the order with three hits, including two doubles. The well balanced Mustang attack scored 10 runs, all with two out, in the second inning to start to pull away. Other Mustangs with two hits were Bill Knute, Cormac Bordes, Craig Smith, Paul Ligouri, and Dan Crogan, who also helped turn a nice infield double play to end a Drews rally.
Willis Tent 21 – Pro Sports Therapy 8 On a night filled with three, five inning run rule games, the big bats of Willis Tent put Pro Sports Therapy away early on the strength of two homeruns from both Rob Swinamer and Dennis Kane. Swinamer’s pitching shut down the PST bats early and his two run bomb staked Willis to a 3-0 lead after one inning. PST finally got on the board with two in the third, but Willis then erupted for seven runs. Swinamer (three run shot) and Kane (solo) went back to back in the inning. PST fought back with three more of their own with the key hit being a two-run double by Andrew Fletcher, but Willis matched those three runs quickly to make it 13-5 after four innings. PST continued to chip away to get within 5 but Willis brought out the big fly one more time when Kane got his second, a grand slam, in the midst of an eight run inning that would close out the game.
Westford Over 30 Softball wraps up another week with little change at the top as the Nashoba Valley Mustangs remain undefeated at 7-0 having scored 135 runs, an average of nearly 20 per game, while many of those games ended after just five innings. Defensively, the Mustangs are just as dominant having only allowed 36 runs over the same seven game span. At the other end of the spectrum, Healy Oil continues to look for their first win but face a tough Short Cut Landscaping team on Tuesday. Burtons currently retains the final playoff spot but faces a surging CSA Graphics this week. CSA is right behind Burtons in the standings.
Floral Arts 15 - Burton's Grill 2 Floral Arts defeated Burton's Grill on Tuesday night, 15-2, in five innings. Burton's took the early lead on solo shots by David Batchelder and Jerry Breen. Floral got some great hitting from Billy Luppold, who strokes a double and a single, and home runs from Mark Chambers (solo), Jeff Moore (two-run shot), Roger Whittlesey (three-run shot), Simon Tripp (solo), Mike Alonardo (solo) and two from Rob Beaudette (a solo and a two-run shot). Ryan Dunn made the play of the game with an over-the-shoulder basket catch in the outfield grass behind third base. Burton's Jerod Colley made a great play on the mound on a laser come-backer to the mound in the fourth inning. The win gives Floral four straight wins to improve its record to 4-2 on the young season. Jerod Colley went 2-2 for Burtons to continue his solid hitting in 2016. Mike J continues to be missed by the Burtons lineup.
Willis Tents 12 - CSA Graphics 5 CSA Graphics managed an early lead, but Willis soon posted five-run and six-run innings that CSA could not counter. In the loss, nine of the CSA players had hits including Bill Cullen who went 2 for 3 with a homerun and Jim DeMarco who went 3 for 4 with a double.
CSA Graphics 15 - Drew Farms 14 CSA Graphics scored in each of the first five innings, leading to an 11-3 lead. Drews posted nine runs in the top of the 6th and held CSA scoreless in the bottom half of the frame. Drews added two insurance runs in the top of the 7th, but Matt Sepe (who was 4 for 5 with a double, home run, and six RBI on the night) evened the score in the bottom of the 7th with a three-run homerun. Drews got one run in the extra inning, but CSA came right back to score two behind back-to-back hits from Bill Ryan (6 for 6, one homerun, four runs, six RBI) and Jim Coveno (3 for 6, including the walk-off). Jim DeMarco went 4 for 5 and Darren Wizst had a homerun for CSA.
Mustangs 22 - Willis 5 Long ball barrage included blasts over the fence by Mark Cusano, Paul Selfrige, Keith Reynolds, and Cormac Bordes all with two a piece. Don Cusano, Mike Kennedy, and Craig Smith each had one. The last few long balls only counted as singles per the homerun limit rule, better named the "Mustangs Rule". Cusano got the win on the mound. for the undefeated Mustangs.
Due to rain and unplayable field conditions, tonight's game between CSA Graphics and Floral Arts has been postponed.
It is now scheduled as the third game next Sunday, June 12th. Start time is 8 P.M.
Short Cuts Landscaping 12 - Pro Sports Therapy 9 PST lost a close one to Short Cuts, 12-9. Short Cuts hitters tallied four homeruns and turned double plays in both the sixth and seventh innings to seal the win. On the PST side, Steve Sawyer again led the offense going 3-3 with three runs scored and an RBI. Donald Slate and Mark Urlage both drove in two runs with two hits and Derek Donegan was 2-2 with a sacrafice fly and two RBIs.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 22 - Healy Oil 4 Five of the Mustangs' seven homeruns came from their powerful southpaw sluggers. Cormac Bordes and Jack Erickson pounded two long balls each, while Bill Knute (3-4, four RBI's, three runs scored ) added one blast of his own and another that only counted as a single. Mustang righties Don Cusano (2-3, HR, three RBI's, three runs scored) and Mike Kennedy (4-4, Grandslam, five RBI's) also contributed to the victory. Paul Ligouri notched another win on the mound, while second basemen Dan Crogan made a nice over the shoulder running catch down the right field line to snuff out a potential Healy rally.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 23 - Short Cuts Landscaping 8 Big game specialist Paul Selfrige (5-5, two homeruns, five RBI, five runs scored) led off the game with a homerun and the Mustangs never looked back in their victory over rival Shortcuts. Bill Knute continued his torrid pace with three more homeruns (12 on the season with a few more blasts that were hit after his team was over the limit), eight RBIs and four runs scored. Don Cusano added a homerun to go with excellent pitching to keep powerful Shortcuts in check. Jim Ward was on base four times (four runs scored) from his number two spot in the order and made some outstanding catches in left center field. Jack Erickson contributed three hits, including a long homerun, and also made a tremendous catch against the fence. Paul Ligouri and Cormac Bordes chipped in with two hits apiece. The Mustangs played excellent defense and Selfrige helped turn two infield double plays to snuff out potential big innings for the sluggers of Shortcuts.
Burton's Grill 23 - Healy Oil 5 Burtons played the game of their lives beating a winless Healy Oil by the run rule after five. A seven run first inning set the tone for the night as Burtons accumulated over 28 hits and hit the homerun limit. Dave Batchelder hit three including one to the opposite field with 5 RBI, Eric Catalane had two, Jon Russo and Jerod Colley each with one. And, John Geary, with his first of the season, was the eighth and thus, counted as a lowly single in the win. Raghu Mantena continued his torrid pace with six RBI. Nice hitting by Keiran Murray and Rick Waldron contributed to keeping Healy winless to date.
Drew Farms 12 - Burtons 9 Great pitching by Mark Kost kept Burtons off balance all night as Drews won 12-9. Coming off of a 23 runfest the night before, Burtons couldn't muster any momentum until the bottom of the 7th when a rally brought the final score to within three. Fantasy Football stud Dave Batchelder went 3-3 and again played a Hanley-like first base. Greg Fitzgerald 2-2 with two RBI a run scored and some nice D at third. Charlie Chungo 2-3 with a double and RBI contributed defensively at third. Nice outfield work by Murph McKeon, Tim Scott and Brian, spell it correctly, Collamore kept Burtons within reach. Todd Shepherd hit another deep bomb and showed off his arm from left field for Drews.
Pro Sports Therapy 7 - CSA Graphics 5 CSA and PST played a classic close and quick game that makes coming to the ball field in the heat of summer better than almost anything. Both squads scored a couple of runs early, but each their bats fall asleep for several innings thereafter. Not until the bottom of the 6th, did PST mount an attack, scoring five. PST broke out to score 5 runs, led by James Chen (on base twice and scored both times, not an easy feat on this evening) and Mark Urlage (2-2 on the night). CSA started the top of the 7th with two quick outs, but then attempted a rally. After two singles, Bob Cullen hit a three-run homerun. A sharp line drive to third was then aptly fielded by Derek Donegan to end the close game and hopes of a CSA comeback. Highlights for both sides included great outfield grabs and a slick double play. Stars for each side were the pitchers - Bill Cullen for CSA and Dave Chirokas for PST.
The Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs remain undefeated at 4-0 having scored 68 runs while allowing only 19. Willis Tent is having a strong early season with only a single loss and a league leading 85 runs scored. CSA Graphics and Pro Sports Therapy have notched their first wins while Healy Oil is still looking for a victory.
Burton's Grill 8 - Healy Oil 7 Healy, having to play with only eight in the field, put up a good fight and led by four early in the contest. Both Burtons and Healy were missing some of their bigger hitters which proved scoring runs more challenging. Matt Dowling continued to shine for Healy with two homeruns and Healy tied the game in the top of the seventh getting a run across with two outs. However, Burtons came back in the bottom of the same inning with a walk-off single by Raghu Mantana giving Burton their third win in a row. Strong pitching by Chris Brooks in his first showing of the season led the Burton's win.
Floral Arts 18 - Pro Sports Therapy 3 Floral Arts' relentless offensive attack and nearly flawless defense were key in defeating Pro Sports Therapy on Tuesday night, winning in five innings, 18-3. Simon Tripp hit a solo shot for Floral, and Geoff Pavao and Rob Beaudette hit three run and two run homers respectively. Larry Mardany was 3-for-3 with two RBI and pitched well.
Willis Tent 14 - Short Cuts Landscaping 9 Short Cuts scored early with three runs in the first but Willis scored often coming up with five runs in the second inning, added three more in the third, and soon another six. Short Cuts slowly picked away at the Willis Lead but Willis pitching backed up by a solid defense held, allowing Willis to defeat Short Cuts 14 - 9. Pitching for Willis Tent was Bob Fluery. Other notable contributions to the Willis win were Andrew Metters going 4 - 4 with two singles and two homeruns, Stephen Damiani going 3 - 3 with two singles and a double and John Mangiaratti going 3 - 4 with three singles.
Willis Tent 16 - Burtons Grill 7 Burtons opened with a three run first inning led by yet another homerun by Texas native and pulled-pork cooking champion Jerod Colley. Unfortunately, Willis took advantage of some Burton miscues in the bottom of the first with eight runs of their own and never looked back. Raghu Mantena had two nice hits for Burtons to continue his streak as did Luke Boulanger. Willis hit four homeruns and continued to show why they are one of the teams to be feared in the 2016 season. Willis pitcher, Rob Swinamer was skillful from the mound, holding Burtons to only seven runs. Willis’s Dennis Kane hit two home Runs, Jeff Briggs and Stephen Damiani each contributed to the effort with home runs of their own.
Short Cuts Landscaping 29 - CSA Graphics 2 Short cuts jumped out to a 18 to 0 lead after two innings, scoring eleven in the second, and never looked back. Seven home runs by Short Cuts- three by Mike Gross. one each for Donny "White Shoes" Morash, Jason Humphrey , Dave Sullivan and Steve Jacobsmeirer. Chris Smith and Bill Dorerty held CSA to two runs. CSA Graphics could manage no offense, with only three total hits in the run-rule shortened game. Bill Ryan went 2 for 2, and Matt Sep had the lone home run for CSA.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 11 - Pro Sports Therapy 7 The undefeated Mustangs are.....well, still undefeated. While PST put up a good fight, and lasting all seven innings versus the Mustangs should be worth something, the Mustangs held them off for a close 11-7 win. Mustangs hit "only" four homeruns, Bill Knute had three of them. all bombs and four RBIs. Paul Liguori got the win on the mound and made several outstanding defensive plays at pitcher to help himself. Paul Selfrige and Jack Erickson added two hits apiece, while rookie Scott Lawrence made a nice running catch in right field. Don Cusano added a long two run blast for the winners. PST Ben Armstrong led the offense again, going 3-3 and scoring two of the runs from the lead off position. Derek Donegan also chipped in with a 2-2 night with two RBIs.
Floral Arts 28 - Willis Tent 24 Floral Arts won its third game in a row, defeating the powerful Willis Tent, 28-24, in a very long game. Larry Mardany (3-for-6, six RBI, two three-run homers), Roger Whittlesey (5-for-6, HR, four runs scored, two RBI), Simon Tripp (4-for-6, grand slam), Rob Beaudette (5-for-6, homerun, four RBI), Billy Luppold (3-for-5, two RBI), Ryan Dunn (3-for-6, homerun, RBI) and Tom "Tank" Lester (5-for-5, two RBI) performed well for Floral at the plate. Willis Tent hit eight home runs, one of which was downgraded to a single because it was one above the league maximum. There were two inning when Floral needed only a couple of runs to end the game via the run rule, but Willis kept fighting back. This game could only be described as a classic slugfest with a total of 52 runs scored between both teams And having both teams exhaust the home run rule hitting by total of over 14 home runs on the evening. Notable Willis Tent contributions were Brian Gallardo going 4 for 4 with three singles and a homerun, Andrew Metters going 3 for 4 with a single and two homeruns (note, the Metters single was actually an “over the limit” homerun), Kevin Adolph 3 for 4 with a single, a double and a homerun, Dennis Kane 3 for 4 with two singles and a homerun, Jeff Briggs 3 for 4 with two singles and a homerun and Glenn Harding 3 for 4 with two singles and a homerun.
CSA Graphics 14 - Healy Oil 13 A great see-saw battle between CSA and Healy. An early lead was taken by Healy, but CSA scored six runs in the third inning, helped by a three-run home run from Bill Ryan, who ended the game going 3 for 4 with four RBI. After a few more lead changes, the game was tied in the top of the 7th, where Healy had bases loaded and one out. CSA pitcher Bill Cullen had a sharp line drive bounce off his glove, but he lunged to his right, making the bobble catch and doubled-up the Healy runner at third to end the inning. CSA wasted no time in the bottom half of the frame. Ryan Nolet (who was 3 for 4 on the night) singled, Tim Piwowar followed with a single, and Tim Greenwood drove in the game-winning run. Derek MacDermott and Mike Cioffi, each playing in their first game of the year had two hits and two RBI a piece. Jim DeMarco went 3 for 4 with a HR, triple, and four RBI.
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