Announcement
There are still six games remaining on the schedule for most teams, but the Mustangs (16-2) and reigning champions Floral Arts (14-4) each clinched a first round playoff bye this week. This is the third year in a row that both teams have earned the bye. The Mustangs and Floral Arts are 1-1 in head-to-head competition so far this season, and will face each other two more times this season, making a first place finish still up for grabs. The other six teams in the league are all vying for one of the four remaining playoff spots, and there is no team that is out of the hunt. The much-improved Mario’s Restaurant (8-10) sits alone in third place and appears to be heading for its first post season in many years. Drew Farms, Willis Tent, and Shortcut Landscaping are tied for fourth place with an 8-11 record. Pro Sports Therapy (7-11) and Healy Oil (5-14) are both within striking distance of a playoff spot, yet it will take a very strong finish to achieve it.
Drew Farms 16 - Willis Tent 7
Home runs by Dave Guthrie, Tom Menicci and Todd Shepherd powered Drew Farms to a 16-7 win over Willis Tent. Drews displayed solid hitting up and down the line-up, led by Mark Kost (5 for 5) and Menicci (4 for 5). Strong defense backed up strong pitching from Gary Lavelle
Pro Sports Therapy 27 - Shortcut Landscaping 14
Pro Sports Therapy came back from an early barrage of Short Cuts Landscaping home runs, overcoming a 14-3 deficit to post a 27-14 run rule victory in the top of the seventh. SCL hit 6 home runs—several of the tape measure variety (including bombs by Chris Smith, Mike Gross, Brent Oakleaf). Tim Schutt settled down on the mound, shutting out SCL after the third inning and when it was his turn to hit, the tall lefty made it count with a grand slam in the seventh inning. Schutt was 3 for 5 with two home runs and 5 RBI. Derek Donegan (3 hits, 3 runs scored, 2 RBI) provided the game winner for the second night in a row, hitting a 2-run homer in the seventh to end the game. Several other PST players had big nights offensively including Jeff Morse (3-3 with a walk, sac fly, 3 RBI), Jerry Cressman (HR and 3 RBI), Tom Rose (5 for 5 with 5 runs scored, home run, 2 RBI), Keith Davighi (3 for 3, including a home run, a walk, a sac fly, and 6 RBI—at least one in each of his 4 plate appearances), and John Bodi (4 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI).
Floral Arts 10 - Mario’s Restaurant 7
Greg Marchand had multiple hits, including a 2-run homer, to help lead Floral Arts to a 10-7 win over Mario’s Restaurant. Larry Mardany pitched well, surrendering a pair of monster home runs to Thanh Nguyen, but otherwise holding the Mario offense in check. Bill Luppold also chipped in a pair of hits and Tom Lester played strong defense in right field. Peter Morano and Mario Brancato each had two hits for Mario’s. Both teams played great defense.
Drew Farms 19 - Healy Oil 13
Drew Farms scored in every inning but one and hit 6 home runs, most with runners on base to win a high scoring game, 19-13 over Healy Oil. First inning home runs by Pat Pawlak, Todd Shepherd and Jason Goldthwaite provided a quick start for the visitors. Tommy Menicci, Todd Shepherd, Dave Guthrie, Jim Sullivan and Eric Carlyle all collected three hits apiece. Gary Lavelle again pitched a solid game. Mike Martin, Joey Ingalls, and Dave O’Keefe each hit home runs for Healy Oil.
Willis Tent 11 - Shortcut Landscaping 9
Willis Tent defeated Shortcut Landscaping, 11-9, in a game powered by Andrew Metters (3 for 4, home run, and 3 RBI) and John Mangiaratti (2 for 4 with the game-winning home run and 4 RBI). Consistent pitching by Brian Anderson held Short Cuts at bay for most of the night
Mustangs 20 - Healy Oil 1
Mustangs pitcher Don Cusano struck out three Healy batters and gave up only one unearned run in a 20-1 Mustangs mercy rule victory. Cusano was walked three times at the plate, including once with the bases loaded, but the rest of the Mustangs offense was led by Jack Erickson, who went 3 for 3 with a home run and 5 RBI. Mike Kennedy (4 RBI) and Bill Knute (grand slam, 5 RBI) also had 2 hits each, including a homer apiece. Jay Dolan went 3 for 3 from his leadoff spot and scored 3 times. Other Mustangs who chipped in with two hits each were Jay Lincoln, Jim Ward, and Brian Foley. Mark Cusano made several excellent plays at second base for the Mustangs. Glenn Robinson hit well for Healy Oil, along with Dave “Pokey” Cannistaro, and Al Boisvert.
