Westford Over-30 Slow-Pitch Softball

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.