Westford Over-30 Slow-Pitch Softball

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.