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While the Mustangs and Floral Arts await their second round opponents, here are the early results from Round 1:
Willis Tent 26 - Drew Farms 5
SCL 15 - GutCheck 14
Round 1 continues tonight as Drews and GutCheck fight to prevent being eliminated.
They almost did it!
Almost.
The Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs’ 2015 undefeated streak ended on Tuesday night at 22 games when Floral Arts beat them by a 7-6 margin. The first place Mustangs, however, returned the favor on Friday against Floral, beating their league rival, 15-12, and finishing with an impressive 23-1 regular season record. Floral Arts (19-5) and the Mustangs will play the winners of the first round of the playoffs. In the first round of playoffs, Willis Tent (14-10) will face Drew Farms (11-13), while GutCheck (12-12) will play Shortcut Landscaping (13-11).
Healy Oil 10 – Pro Sports Therapy 9 On August 16, Healy Oil put up a single run in the top of the eighth inning and made it stand to defeat Pro Sports Therapy, 10-9. PST’s furious rally in the bottom of the seventh earned them three runs to tie the game, but Healy cut the rally there, stranding the winning run at third, before scoring the what became the winning run in the extra inning. PST’s Jeff Morse (3-for-4 with 2 RBI) and Michael Winer (3-for-4), along with Jeremy Joyce’s 3 RBI, were key offensive contributors.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 23 – Shortcut Landscaping 8 Winning pitcher Don Cusano led the Mustangs offensive attack with two homers, 7 RBI, and three runs scored. Mike Kennedy added four hits, including a home run and 2 RBI. Jack Erickson (4-for-4, BB, 5 RBI, 4 RS) and Jack McGrath each had four hits apiece with four runs scored. Dan Crogan (2-for-3, BB) also scored four times, while LF Bill Knute added a long home run blast over the shed and made several outstanding catches to thwart Shortcut rallies.
Floral Arts 7 – Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 6 On Tuesday, Floral Arts extinguished the Mustangs’ dream of a perfect season, winning by a whisker—throwing out the tying run at the plate in the seventh inning. Don Cusano (4-for-4, 2 HR, 2 doubles) hit an opposite field home run in the top of the first the give the Mustangs the early lead. In the bottom of the inning Simon Tripp scored from second on an opposite field hit by Roger Whittlesey to tie the game, then Ken Delaney stepped up to the plate and blasted a three-run homer to make it 4-1. Later, Jim Peloquin (3-for-3, HR, 3 RBI) hit a long home run over the left field fence to give Floral seven runs. It was 7-5 in the top of the seventh when the Mustangs loaded the bases with two outs. Cusano then hit a rocket single to left-center that Greg Marchand handled, then threw to Peloquin, who relayed to Jonathan Morgan at the plate. Morgan applied the tag and the Mustangs’ season-long win streak came to a sudden end.
Shortcut Landscaping 16 – Pro Sports Therapy 3 Shortcuts jumped out to a seven-run lead on the power of a first inning grand slam by Mike Gross and a three-run homer by Don Morash. Pat Flaherty and Dave Sullivan also homered in the game. Gross made some nice catches in left field and, overall, SCL’s defense was solid. PST’s Ben Armstrong (2-for-2) scored two of the three PST runs, and Tom Rose (2-for-2, RBI) and Ryan Steele (2 RBI) played well in the game.
Willis Tent 21 – Healy Oil 8 Willis tent opened quickly with seven runs in the top of the first. Healy tried to keep pace but could only muster four runs, only to have Willis nullify their effort with another four runs in the second. By the end of the fourth inning, Willis was winning, 17-8. Willis finished up the evening with four runs in the top of the seventh. Dennis Kane ended the game with a walk off home run. Willis’ Andrew Metters (4-for-4, HR, double and two singles), Rob Swinamer (3-for-3, HR, double, single, BB), Brian Gallardo (3-for-3, HR, double and a single), Dennis Kane (3-for-4, 3 HRs), and Rick Devanna (3-for-4, triple and 2 singles) were the offensive leaders for Willis.
Drew Farms 14 – GutCheck 12 GutCheck started hot, scoring four runs in the first, four in the second, and three in the third. Then their bats went cold, and only scored once more—in the seventh. Thanh Nguyen led the way, going 4-or-5 with three home runs, a double, and eight RBI. Matt Sepe had a solo home run, and Jim DeMarco and Jeff Bernier contributed three hits apiece. Drew’s Todd Shepherd hit two home runs for the winners.
Burtons 17 - Healy Oil 16 On Friday night, Burtons Grill 17-16 win secured them a seventh place finish in the standings. Burtons jumped out to an early eight-run lead, but Healy stormed back and held a short-lived 10-9 lead, until Burtons scored eight more, to lead 17-10. Healy managed to score six runs in the bottom of the seventh, and had the tying run on third when Burtons' pitcher Jerod Colley closed the door. Dave Batchelder led Burtons with a 4-for-4 performance, including three home runs and 6 RBI, and he also made a sliding catch in the outfield. Tim Scott also went deep, while Brian Haley and Colley went 3-for-3. Kieran Murray knocked in a pair on two hits. Murph McKeon chipped in with a standup triple.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 15 – Floral Arts 12 Mustang pitcher Paul Ligouri has a stutter-step delivery that has been very successful for him and his four-time championship team, earning him two straight seasons of nothing but wins. But against Floral Arts on Friday, the streak was almost immediately in jeopardy, as Floral built an early 11-2 lead. But the Mustangs, who had struggled against Jim Peloquin’s pitches, suddenly erupted in the fourth, and by the fifth inning took a 13-11 lead. Simon Tripp’s solo shot moved Floral to within one run in the sixth, but the Mustangs answered, as Don Cusano struck his 27th home run of the season (his second of the game), a two-run shot to give the Mustangs a 15-12 lead. Cormac Bordes and Mark Cusano also homered for the Mustangs. Jim Peloquin (3-run homer, 2 BB), Geoff Pavao (homer and two great defensive plays), Tom Semeter (home run), and Chad Kirby (diving catch and a great throw to second to cut down a runner) played well for Floral.
Pro Sports Therapy 12 - Willis Tent 3 Pro Sports Therapy ended a disappointing season with an upset of the number three seed Willis Tent in the late game Friday night, 12-3. PST jumped out to a seven-run lead in the first on a Jerry Cressman two-run double, a Mark Strzegowski two-run homer, and then Dave Chirokas knocked in two with a double. On throwback night for PST, Chirokas channeled 2003 on the mound, holding the potent Willis lineup to three runs. PST had many bright spots offensively, none brighter than Tom Rose, PST’s leading hitter on the season. Rose was 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored. John Mangiaratti went 2-for-3 and Steve Damaini was 2-for-4 on the night.
GutCheck 14 – Healy Oil 2 On August 23rd, GutCheck and Drew Farms played in the last regular season game of the season. GutCheck scored early and often, getting four runs in the first and five in in the second. Billy Cullen pitched a solid game and added a two-run home run. Jeff Stabach and Jim DeMarco each had three hits and scored three runs. Derek MacDermott went 3-for-3 with two runs. Rey Vinneau stopped everything at short and added two hits and two RBI.
The Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (21-0) clinched first place and Floral Arts (18-4) settled for second place for the fourth time in five years. Both teams will face each other twice next week as the regular season concludes. Willis Tent (13-9) won once this week and remains in third place in front of Shortcut Landscaping (12-10). Drew Farms (10-13) won twice and lost once this week and sits in sixth place, one game behind GutCheck (11-11). Drew Farms can become the fifth playoff seed only if GutCheck loses both of its final games of the regular season. If the standings remain as they are, Willis Tent will face Drew Farms in the first round of the playoffs (Willis Tent won two of the three contests against Drew Farms in the regular season), and Shortcut Landscaping will face Gutcheck (The two teams have split the two games this season, and have one more to play next week). The first round, a best-of-three series that begins Tuesday, August 25, should be very competitive.
Willis Tent 15 – Burtons Grill 14 On Sunday, Willis won a close game, 15-14, and eliminated Burtons from making the playoffs. Willis jumped to a quick 4-0 lead over Burtons in the top of the first inning when John Mangiaratti followed up three consecutive singles with a grand slam. Burtons answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, but Willis scored five more in the next two innings to make it 9-2. Burtons made it 9-6 in the bottom of the fourth, and then pulled to a 9-9 tie in the fifth. Willis produced three runs in the sixth, but Burtons answered with five in the bottom of the inning to take the lead, 14-12. Burtons needed three outs to capture the win, but Willis put up three runs to take back the lead. Burtons did not score in the bottom of the inning. Willis’ Brian Gallardo and Dave Harrington each went 3-for-3, John Mangiaratti was 2-for-2 (both homers), Rob Swinamer was 2-for-2 with a homer, Roger Neild was 2-fo-2, Jeff Briggs was 2-for-3, and John Duffy went 2-for-3 and provided the game-winning RBI in the seventh. Burtons Grill’s Brian Collamore and Jerry Breen both went 3-for-3, with Breen driving in four runs and Collamore notching a triple to go with two singles and three runs scored. Tim Scott continued to set the table from the leadoff spot with a pair of hits and two runs scored. Jeff Kott and Jerod Colley each added a pair of hits, and Colley kept Burtons in the game with another excellent game on the mound.
Drew Farms 16 – Pro Sports Therapy 3 Drew Farms won their first of two games this week on Sunday night, beating Pro Sports Therapy. Alex Lechook pitched a gem, holding PST to 4 hits through the first five innings while the Drew's offense was able to put up 8 runs during that span. Lechook also added a triple in the 6th. In that inning, down 12-0, PST made a run and put 3 up on the board, only to have Drew's respond and put up 4 in the 7th ending the game by run rule. Adding to Lechook's triple, Drew's mixed only 2 more extra base hits amongst 24 hits. Ryan Steel hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to drive in the only runs for PST.
Drews 19 –Burtons Grill 7 Having been eliminated from the playoff hunt in their previous game, the Burtons Grill offense came up short against Drew Farms on Wednesday. Burtons came out hot, putting a 4 spot up in the first inning. But with the help of a Rich Rago 3 run homer, Drew Farms was able to answer the bell and added 5 of their own. After a quite second inning, the Drew's bats woke up and put 14 runs up over the next 4 innings. During that span, Burtons, was only able to put 3 up. Offensive highlights for Drew's belonged to Pat Pawlack and Sal Buanacore. Each went 3 for 4 and scored 3 times. Joe Welch also went 3-4. For Burtons, John Geary went 3-for-4, Tim Scott raced to an inside-the-park home run, Jerod Colley cleared the bases with a three-run double, and Jeff Kott went 3-for-3. Outfielder Scott debuted at shortstop and handled several tough plays, looking like a veteran at the new position.
Floral Arts 15 - GutCheck 7 It was a game that was much closer than the final score indicates. Floral Arts built a 7-1 lead over six innings, but then the GutCheck bats unlocked the conundrum that Floral pitcher Larry Mardany was tossing at them and began stroking single after single between short and third base until, at the inning’s end, the score was 7-6. Floral responded by pounding out nine hits and knocking in eight runs, highlighted by a Rob Beaudette’s three-run homer. Mark Chambers was 3-for-4 with a couple of doubles. Mardany retired the final three batters he faced to secure the win.
Floral Arts 19 – Drew Farms 6 In the only game on Friday, Simon Tripp went 4-for-4, including belting a two-run homer in the fifth inning and knocking in five runs with the game-ender amongst them), to lead Floral Arts to a 19-6 win over Drew Farms. The Floral bats produced runs in all seven innings. Roger Whittlesey (4-for-5, 5 RBI) hit his second triple this week, Rob Beaudette (4-for-4, 3 RBI), Jeff Moore (3-for-4, 2 singles and a double), Dave Janowsky (3-for-5, 3 RS, 2 RBI), and Greg Marchand (3-for-4, 2 RBI) were key contributors in the win. Drew’s Joseph Welch was 3-for-3 and made several nice catches in left field.
Due to today's weather, Tuesday's slate of games has been postponed. They will be rescheduled on Sunday, August 16th.
5:30 PM Mustangs @ SCL
6:45 PM Healy Oil @ PST
The Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (20-0) have gone farther into the season without a loss than any team in recent history. Their two wins this week leave them four victories shy of achieving perfection in the regular season. These games will likely not be walks in the park, however, as each of the remaining opponents have winning records. The Mustangs play Floral Arts (16-4) twice, Willis Tent (13-8), and Shortcut Landscaping (12-10). Floral Arts won twice this week, and even though Willis Tent could potentially win 16 games, Floral earned the first round playoff bye for the fifth year in a row by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker against Willis. Floral defeated Willis Tent in all three games this season. Drew Farms (9-12) also clinched a playoff spot this week.
Floral Arts 19 – Pro Sports Therapy 3 On Sunday, Simon Tripp hit three home runs (including a grand slam) and knocked in nine runs to help lead Floral Arts to a 19-3 win over PST. Larry Mardany pitched four scoreless innings, with Ben Armstrong’s three-run homer in the third inning the only blemish of the outing. Ken Delaney made several outstanding plays at shortstop and hit a solo home run in the second inning. Dave Janowsky (2-for-2, 2 BB), Mark Chambers (3-for-3, BB, 4 RBI) and Roger Whittlesey (2-for-4, 3 RBI) contributed on offense.
Shortcut Landscaping 15 – Burtons Grill 2 SCL’s Rich Acabo had three hits, including a walk off homer. Dave Silton and Chris Clark also homered for SCL.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 16 – Healy Oil 0 Don Cusano pitched the Mustangs to their fifth shutout victory (his third) of the season against Healy Oil. Mike Kennedy led the NVVM offense with two hits, including a home run, 4 RBI, and two runs scored. Jack Erickson, Mark Cusano, and Jim Ward all contributed three hits apiece. The Mustang defense was solid throughout the entire game, with first baseman Cormac Bordes making a nice over-the-shoulder running catch in shallow right field.
Shortcut Landscaping 19 – Drew Farms 6 On Tuesday, Shortcuts’ Bill Doherty pitched a solid game after giving up a few early inning home runs. He also hit his first homer since his first game in the league—seven years ago! Mike Gross, Pat Flaherty, and Jason Humphrey also homered for SCL.
Floral Arts 17 – Willis Tent 2 Floral Arts hit seven home runs and scored in every inning in a lopsided win against Willis Tent, 17-2. Larry Mardany pitched another gem, allowing only two runs on a mammoth home run by Rob Swinamer. Rob Beaudette (4-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Simon Tripp (4-for-4, HR, 3 RBI), Geoff Pavao (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI), Mike Alonardo (4-for-4, HR, 2 RBI), Jim Peloquin (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI), and Roger Whittlesey (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI) were the offensive standouts in the game. Willis Tent’s Jeff Briggs was 2-for-2 with an opposite field hit and a run scored.
Healy Oil 12 – Burtons Grill 0 On Wednesday, Healy’s Bruce Wilhelm hit a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth. Dave O'Keefe launched a two-run blast and Brian Herrmann sent a solo blast over the right field fence. Tom Hudson got the shutout on the mound and both Cam Santana and Dan Nucci both went 2-for-2 with clutch 2-out hits.
Willis Tent 15 – GutCheck 2 Solid defense and a strong offense, coupled with a stellar pitching performance by Willis pitcher Rob Swinamer, earned Willis a win over GutCheck. Willis’ bats were alive and well, coming off of a previous loss, taking a 9-0 lead after two innings. Willis went into the bottom of the fifth holding a 13-0 lead, only three outs away from a win. GutCheck scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but in top of the sicth, Willis’s leadoff hitter Steve Damaini singled and scored on the walk-off home run by John Mangiaratti. Brian Gallardo went 3-for-3 with a HR, John Mangiaratti was 3-for-4 with a HR, Rob Swinamer 2-for-3 with a HR, Steve Damaini 2-for-4 with a double and HR, Andrew Metter with a HR and John Duffy contributed to the effort by going 2-for-3 on the evening. GutCheck’s Gary Lavelle pitched a good game and also went 2-for-2 with one run. Jim DeMarco and Jeff Bernier also went 2-for-2 in the loss.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 24 – Pro Sports Therapy 8 On Friday evening, every Mustang had at least one hit and one run scored in their victory over PST. NVVM batted around their entire order two separate times in the game. Paul Selfrige (home run, 4 RBI, 3 RS) and Jim Ward (3 RBI, 3 RS) set the table at the top of the order with four hits apiece. Don Cusano had three hits, including his 21st homer of the year to go along with five RBI and two runs scored. Other Mustangs with three hits each included Mark Cusano, Dan Crogan (2 doubles, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored), and Paul Ligouri (3 RS). Cormac Bordes added a home run blast for the winners. LF Bill Knute played outstanding defense in the victory. The Mustangs took advantage of a shorthanded (3 OFs) PST squad for an easy 24-8. Mustangs showed great bat control—repeatedly hitting the gaps. For PST, outfielders John Bodi and Michael Winer went 3-for-3 on the night and rookie Ryan Steele returned from injury and hit a homer in his first swing. Coach Gary Royal, returning from surgery, went 2-for-3 with a couple of RBI.
Burtons Grill 18 – GutCheck 17 Burtons jumped out to an early six-run lead, and then watched GutCheck bash their way into the lead, then seized the lead in the seventh before surviving a bases-loaded and one-out GutCheck rally to win, 18-17. Burtons catcher Dave Batchelder made a key play by throwing out a GutCheck runner advancing to third. Also, shortstop Jon Russo blocked a hard hit ball and forcing the final out at second. Batchelder went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI, Russo knocked in three more, while John Geary, Rick Waldron, Brian Collamore and Jerod Colley all drove in two each. Jerry Breen added a two-run homer and Waldron pitched well enough in his first start of the season to pick up the W. GutCheck’s Thanh Nguyen was 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBI, Jimmy Sullivan was 3-for-4 with three RBI, Darren Wizst was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI, and Jim Curley was 4-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI.
Willis Tent 17 – Drew Farms 4 It took a combination of aggressive hitting, solid defense, and another magnificent pitching performance by Willis pitcher Bob Fleury to earn Willis a back-to-back mercy-rule win. Willis’ bats went to work early against Drews, scoring six runs in the first inning, and then adding three more in the second inning. The game ended in the bottom of the fifth on a walk-off single by Rick Devanna. Brian Gallardo went 4-for-4 with a HR, two doubles and a single, Rick Devanna was 4-for-4, Andrew Metters went 4-for-4, Jeff Briggs was 3-for-4 with a HR, opposite field double and a single, and Paul Duato was 2-for-3 (2 doubles). John Mangiaratti and Steve Damiani each hit homers for Willis.
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