Markel Realty

Floral Arts tops the standings at 5-1 and leads the league in runs scored. A spot usually reserved for the Nashoba Valley Mustangs who sit in second at 4-1. Pro Sports Therapy is still seeking their first win of the season while Burton's Grill, with over 100 runs scored, appear to be ready to make a decent showing this year.

Healy Oil 12 - CSA Graphics 7

Matt Dowling and Tony Pantoja led off the game with back to back homers for Healy in the 12-7 win. Matt Dowling added a second homerun and Dave O'Keefe provided a clutch three-run homer in the late innings to give Healy the lead for good. Nick Wilmot had four scoreless innings on the mound and was perftect at the plate. For CSA, Billy Ryan went 3 for 4 with a double and couple of runs and Tim Piwowar was 4 for 4 with a three-run homer for the second straight game. 

Floral Arts 20 - Drew Farms 0

Floral Arts shut out Drew Farms, 20-0, on Wednesday night in four and a half innings. Larry Mardany pitched an outstanding game, giving up only three singles. Shortstop Jim Peloquin made some nice plays in the field and stroked two homers at the plate. Mark Chambers sent two shots over the fence too. Chad Kirby and Mike Donaruma also homered. Sexagenarian Frank Lancelotta legged out a triple on a liner to left field in the bottom of the fourth. 

Healy Oil 16 -  Burtons Grill 14

Clutch home runs from Nick Wilmot and Wayne Meadows brought Healy's, down by one in the top of the seventh, up by four after a nice rally.  Burton's scored only two in the last half thus securing the win for Healy's Oil 16-14.  A key defensive play in the fifth by Healy included a standard 9 to 10 output with Keith Mager and Mike Finegan connecting on a tip play to rob Burton's Tim Scott of a hit. Burton's Jerod Colley, (3-3, three RBI), John Geary, (3-3 three RBI), and Mike Santiano, another three RBI, was not enough in the loss.

Burtons Grill 28 - CSA Graphics 11

Close for two innings at 11-10, Burton's scored another 17 over the next three innings to defeat CSA by the run rule.  Burton's leadoff batter Tim Scott went 5-5 with four doubles, a homerun, five runs scored and six RBI.  Batting second, behind Scott, Eric Cataline went 3-4 with eight RBI of his own.  Scott and Cataline were also responsible for many of the put-outs for Burtons. Erik Pasters hit another homerun, his fourth and had three RBI.  Charlie Chungo, (4-4 four RBI), Jason Lenicheck, (3-3 three runs scored), also contributed to the win.  CSA's Jonathan Ring was 2-3 with a couple runs, RBIs and doubles.  Bill Cullen had a solo homerun, and Jim DeMarco was three for three with two runs scored, a double, and three RBI.  DeMarco also made two stellar defensive plays against his old team throwing out two runners from deep behind second base.

Willis Tent 12 - Pro Sports Therapy 7

In search of their first victory of the season, PST jumped out early on the new-look Willis Tent Squad powered by a Ryan Steele solo HR in the first, a Ben Armstrong grandslam in the second, and a Brian Dubey lead-off HR in the third.  The PST bats would go cold after that and the Willis bats finally caught up to the valiant effort of Steve Sawyer on the mound.  Powered by a series of three-run homers, Willis put up six in the fourth, tied it in the fifth, then sealed it with another five in the sixth. PST offensive leaders were Steele, Armstrong, and Dubey, who were each 2-4 with a homerun and a double, and Donald Slate, who went 3-4 on the evening with an RBI. First three innings it was all PST, but, that would be all PST would do on the evening, Willis offense woke up scoring six runs in the bottom of the fourth, one run in the fifth and five more in the sixth.  Willis defense held PST scoreless from the third inning on.  Willis Wins over PST 12 to 7.  Contributions to another Willis come from behind win were , Justin Swanson going 3 - 3 with three singles, Rick Devanna, Dennis Kane, Stephen Damiani and John Lutatti each contributing with a homerun.

Floral Arts  19- Healy Oil 6

On Friday night, Floral Arts raised their record to 5-1 with a 19-6 win over Healy Oil. Rob Beaudette (two home runs, 3-for-4, four RBI), Roger Whittlesey (2-for-2, two BB, home run, two RBI), Ken Delaney (4-for-4, homer), Dave Janowsky (2-for-3, two-run homer), and Chad Kirby (3-for-4, grand slam, four RBI) led the offense for Floral. Simon Tripp made several great plays at second base. Kirby made a couple sliding catches in right center, and Larry Mardany pitched well, keeping the opponent to just six runs in five innings. Healy's Bruce Wilhelm continues to excel with an opposite field homer.  Wayne Meadows had a solid defensive night at third with numerous put outs and Frank Padron delivered at the plate with some timely hitting. 

Willis Tent 29 - Short Cut 28

It was a game of catch up  for most of the night for Willis Tent. In the second inning Willis would score one to tie it up only to see Short Cut add five more runs to their total. In the third, Willis loaded up the bases for Justin Swanson who quickly cleared them with a  grand slam. After four, it was 15 to 11 Short Cut.   In the top of the fifth, Willis scored a couple of more run but in bottom of the Short Cut tried to break away coming up with eight to take a 23 to 13 lead. Un-phased , Willis  exploded for 13 runs in the top of the sixth taking the lead for the first time  26 to 23.  Top of the seventh Willis added three more insurance runs which would ultimately be needed as Short Cut came charging back with five but Willis Tent would hold on to take the win. Willis 29, Short Cut 28. It was a total team effort with every Willis team member scoring runs.   Huge night at the plate for Justin Swanson, going 4 for 5 with four homeruns. Other notable contributors were Stephen Damiani going 4 for 4 with three singles and a homerun, Roger Nield 4 for 5, three singles and a homerun,  Rick Devanna 3 for 5  a single and two doubles, Brian Gallardo, 3 for 5 a single and a double and a homerun,  Zach Ellis 3 for 4 with three singles, John Beebe 3 for 4 with two singles and a double and Stephen Young 3 for 4 with three singles.  

Week two of Over 30 softball shows an undefeated Short Cut Landscaping at the top of the standings at 3-0. The Mustangs are in second at 4-1 and leading in the "Runs For" category with nearly 100 scored already. The rest of the pack is bunched up other than Pro Sports at 0-4 and looking for their first win of the young season.

Floral Arts 21 - Burtons 7

Burtons held an early game lead and held out hope for an early season upset win, however, a 15-run, two grand slam inning by  Floral Arts put a quick end to Burton's dream.  Floral Arts defeated Burton's Grill, 21-7, in five innings. Floral hit seven home runs in the contest, including two by Rob Beaudette (two-run shot, grand slam), two by Mike Alonardo (two-run homer and a grand slam) and one each by Mark Chambers, Larry Mardany, and Roger Whittlesey with the walk-off.  Playing well on defense for Floral were Chad Kirby in left center and Simon Tripp at shortstop.  For Burtons, rookie Mike Santiano went 1-3 with a home run and four RBI, Murph McKeon 2-3 with a run scored and one RBI, and Tim Scott, 2-3 and a run scored.

Drew Farms 15 - Pro Sports Therapy 12

PST scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 12 but left the winning run on third base in the loss.  This turned out to be a fatal error, as Drew’s responded with four in the top of the first extra frame to put the game away.  Offensive highlights for PST include a two-run homerun by Ben Armstrong in the first (to begin his 3-4 effort with three runs scored), Mark Urlage going 3-4 with three RBI, and Ryan Steele going 3-4.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs 30 - CSA Graphics 2

Some team had to pay for the Mustangs opening game loss and unfortunately for CSA, they were next on the schedule.

CSA succumbed to the mercy rule in the 5th as they continue to struggle in both the field and at the plate.  Mustang hurler Paul Ligouri  got the win on the mound and was on base three times, scoring each time and adding two RBI to help his cause.  Every Mustang had at least one hit and scored at least one run in the balanced attack.  Bill Knute led the charge with four hits, including two homeruns, four RBI, and three runs scored.  Other Mustang homerun hitters were Cormac Bordes, Mike Kennedy, Don Cusano, and Jack Erickson.  Kennedy made several nice plays at third for the winners.

Drew Farms 10 - Willis Tent 9

Drew’s scored five runs in the second inning but Willis scored six to take the lead.  In the top of the sixth, Drew’s would  score one run to tie it up but in the bottom half Willis would score two more holding onto an eight to six lead over Drew’s. Willis would add one more run to pad their lead but in the bottom of the last inning, Drew’s banged out four key runs taking the win 10 to 9. Contributing to the Willis effort were Darren Swanson, going 3 - 3 with two singles and a homerun, Roger Neild, 3 - 3, two singles and a double, Zach Ellis, with a homerun.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs 17 - Burtons Grill 15

After maxing out on their homerun limit early in the game, the Mustangs rallied from one run behind in the top of the 7th the old fashioned way: by hitting singles and doubles and hustling on the bases.  The Mustangs scored three times and held off the middle of the powerful Burtons lineup in the bottom of the 7th to close the game.  Mustangs shortstop  Paul Selfrige (3-4, HR, two RS, one RBI) turned a double play to end the game with the tying run at the plate for Burtons, who had bashed their way to a lead early in the game with a 12-run inning.  Other excellent defensive plays were made by Mustang infielders Paul Ligouri, who also had a clutch two RBI double in the seventh inning rally, and Dan Crogan (diving stop at second to force out a runner at second base late in the game.)  Other homerun hitters for the Mustangs were Scott Lawrence, with the first of his career, two by Don Cusano, two by Bill Knute, and one by Jack Erickson (4-4, HR, four RS, two RBI).  Jay Lincoln added two hits and a walk and made nice defensive play by leaping to pull down the game ending throw at 1B for the Mustangs.  A surging Burton's squad again played the Mustangs tough as they have done several times over the last few years.  Down only two in the bottom of the seventh, Burton's couldn't rally to score the needed three for the win. Tim Scott contributed with two homeruns on a 2-4, five RBI performance. Newcomer Erik Pasters was 2-3 with a homerun in his first ever Over-30 league appearance and Captain Dave Batchelder chipped in with a homerun on a 2-4, three RBI night.  Pasters also now holds the rookie of the year post game spread award.

CSA Graphics 13 - Drew Farms 7

Everyone in the line-up hit for CSA Graphics and the team scored in five of six innings to log their first win of the season versus Drew Farms.  After a scoreless first inning, each team scored twice to keep the game even after two innings.  In the third CSA took the lead and never looked back.  Josh Haskin was 3 for 3 on the night plus a sacrifice fly, scoring two runs and driving in two others.  Jonathan Ring went 3 for 4 with a couple runs and an RBI, along with making some great plays at shortstop.  Jeff "the zip code" Bernier also reached base safely three times, scored a run, and had an RBI.  The hero for CSA Graphics was Tim Piwowar who went 3 for 3 on the game, including a three-run homer, had two other RBIs and scored twice.

Short Cut Landscaping 15 - Pro Sports Therapy 7

Pro Sports had hits from 11 of the 13 players in the lineup, but it wasn’t enough against the big bats (five home runs) of Short Cut Landscaping.  The offensive highlight for Pro Sports Therapy was a three-run homerun from Ben Armstrong.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs 23 - Floral Arts 19

In a back and forth game between the league's two finalists for the last eight seasons, the Mustangs prevailed on a two out walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 7th inning by Keith Reynolds (4-5, HR, six RBI).  To get to that point the Mustangs had to come back from five separate deficits in the game to pull out the victory. Jim Ward set the table in the number two spot of the Mustang order going 5-5 with five runs scored.  He also played outstanding defense in left center field all game.  Winning pitcher Don Cusano provided tremendous offensive punch for the winners with four hits, including two long homeruns, a walk, six RBI, and four runs scored.  Mark Cusano chipped in with five hits himself, including an opposite field homerun blast, four RBI and three runs scored.  Jack Erickson and Bill Knute chipped in with three hits apiece and Knute made an outstanding diving catch down the left field line with the game still hanging in the balance.  Super sponsor Craig Smith added two hits, including a clutch double down the left field line.  Floral hit eleven balls out of the park, the last four only producing singles owing to the home run maximum of seven. Ryan Dunn (2), Ken Delaney (2), Larry Mardany, Rob Beaudette, and Mike Alonardo homered in the loss for Floral. 

Burtons Grill 21 - Drew Farms 12

Burtons put up 21 and evened their season record to 2-2 in a nice win over Drew farms on Friday night. Led by the coaching of cricket expert Raghu Mantena, Burton's batted around in the third inning scoring nine runs and erasing a 10-4 deficit.  Jerry Breen went 4-5 with three homeruns and five RBI.  Rookie Erik Pasters continued his great start hitting two more homeruns, now three in his first two games in the league. Defense was just as strong at Brian Collamore made a great catch in right field and Tim Scott got Burton's out of jam in the sixth with a diving catch and throw to second to double up the runner and end the inning.

Willis Tent 11 - Healy Oil 9

After one it was tied up with three runs apiece.   Willis took an 8 to 6 lead into the sixth inning but Healy would add three more runs to their total, briefly taking a 9 to 8  lead over Willis.  In the bottom of the sixth Willis offense took over, banging out three runs to take an 11 to  9 lead . Willis sultimately ended it with a game ending double play.  Willis' wins 11 to 9.  Notable Willis contributions were Dennis Kane  3 for 3 with one single, one double and a homerun, Andrew Metters 3 for 3 with teo singles and a homerun, Brian Gallardo and Justin Swanson each with a homerun.   

Spring has officially arrived as Westford Over 30 softball kicked off the 2017 season with its annual opening day cookout and full game schedule.  Again, the Mustangs hosted the affair due to their winning the 2016 league championship. The Mustangs have the cookout down to a science having won the championship so many years in a row.  The heavy rain held off and a full-complement of scores were reported.

Burtons Grill 16 - CSA 2

Burtons took an early lead but then blew it wide open scoring nine to win by the run-rule.  Homeruns by Charlie Chungu, Eric Cataline and newcomer Mike Santiano led the way for Burtons. Cataline also had three hits and four RBI picking up from where he left off last season.  Peter Morano legged out a nice double and Jerod Colley pitched well in the win. CSA looked ready to compete this year with some new faces. One highlight came from Tim "Wolverine" Greenwood, who had a solo shot that went over the light poles.

Healy Oil 9 - Pro Sports Therapy 6

Healy trailed 6-3 until the fourth inning when Healy put up six runs initiated by a Brian Herrmann three-run shot over the centerfield fence. Also going long was Tony Pantoja who put the second pitch of the game over the fence in left.  Nick Wilmot pitched well mixing up the pitch format while Wayne Meadows and Tony Pantoja shined at third and shortstop.  PST highlights included Ben Armstrong (3-3 with a homerun), Jeff Fuller (2-2 with a double), a Ryan Steele homerun, and Al Nudler- who posted what might have been the slowest motion triple in the history of the league, according to his coach.

Floral Arts 14 - Willis Tent 11

After three innings, Floral had a 6 to 3 lead over Willis.   Willis began the fourth inning with three singles to load up the bases for teammate Dennis Kane who quickly cleared them with a towering grand slam.  Willis followed with two more singles and a double taking a 9 to 7 lead over Floral heading into the fifth.  Willis scored one more run in the sixth and Floral answered with four of their own taking an 11 to 10 lead after six.  Willis would tie it up with a Justin Swanson homerun in the bottom of the seventh but Floral shut Willis down with three run walk off homerun.    Floral Arts  wins over Willis Tent 14 to 11.  Notable Willis game contributors were, Justin Swanson going 3-3 with a single and two homeruns, Kevin Adolph 3-3 with two singles and a triple and Dennis Kane with grand slam.  Floral Arts left-fielder Rob Beaudette had a big day at the plate, stroking two home runs, a three-run shot in the first inning and another three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning, to give Floral an Opening Day win. Beaudette, who was 4-for-4, also made several nice catches in left. Larry Mardany pitched a strong game for Floral and chipped in with two hits. Roger Whittlesey (3-for-4 with a home run), Simon Tripp (3-for-4 with a home run) and Geoff Pavao (4-for-4 with a home run) contributed consistently from the top of the order. 

Floral Arts 25 - CSA 9

Floral Arts improved its record to 2-0 with a 25-9 win over CSA. Jim Peloquin (3-for-3, BB) had a big night at the plate. The shortstop hit two grand slams. Simon Tripp also hit a home run. Larry Mardany pitched well for Floral; and he was backed by some solid defensive plays by outfielder Chad Kirby and infielders Matt Critch, Ken Delaney, and Peloquin. 

Short Cuts Landscaping 20 - Healy Oil 7

Healy was down 10-1 going into the top of the 4th and was able to rally 6 runs thanks in part to a Matt Dowling grand slam.
In the end Healy just couldn't match the offensive strength of SCL despite Wayne Meadows doing a good job of mixing up the pitch format. 

Willis Tent 8 - Nashoba Valley Veterinary 4

A combination of some great pitching provided by Darren Swanson and solid offense and defense all around earned  Willis Tent a well deserved  win over team Mustangs.  Willis held Mustangs to only four runs, all the while scoring eight runs of their own. The Mustangs attempted a comeback,  loading up the bases in the top of the 7th but a spectacular “game ending”  diving catch by Willis left fielder Brian Gallardo ended the Mustangs charge.  Notable contributions to the Willis win were Roger Neild going 3 for 3, all singles,   Kirt Andjus going 2 for 2 with a double and a homerun,  Darren Swanson going 2 for 2  with single and a homerun, Zack Ellis going 2 for 2 with two singles. Also contributing to the win with homeruns  were Dennis Kane and Stephen Damiani and a triple by Brian Gallardo.  

Due to the weather and the field conditions it has caused, tonight’s games have been postponed to Sunday.  The schedule will be as follows:

5:15  Burton’s Grill @ Floral Arts

6:30  Drew Farms @ PST

7:45  CSA Graphics @ Mustangs

As Yogi Berra once famously said, "it's like deja vu all over again. The Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs won their fourth championship title in a row and their sixth in eight years beating Floral Arts three games to one. The games were very competitive and made for a great end to the season. And, we at least know the food will be good at next year's opening game barbeque.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs 15 - Floral Arts 14 After Floral Arts won game two in their last at bat, it was the Mustangs' turn in game three. On Tuesday night, with the game tied at 14, the Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs' Mark Cusano stepped out to the plate and drilled the first pitch over the fence to win in walk-off fashion, 15-14, and give the Mustangs the 2-1 game lead in the series. Throughout the game, both teams traded the lead several times, until Floral Arts tied it on a Geoff Pavao home run (it was Pavao's second home run of the night). Floral hit seven home runs, including two blasts each by Simon Tripp and Kenny Delaney, and a solo shot by Chad Kirby. The Mustangs kept battling back from run deficits all game, until Bill Knute (4-4, two HR, five RBI) tied the game with a clutch two out home run shot of his own in the sixth inning. Pitcher Don Cusano (3-4, two HR, six RBI) and the Mustangs' defense held Floral scoreless in the top of the seventh, giving "baby" brother the chance to end it, which he did. Jack Erickson was outstanding in the field for the Mustangs, recording two important assists from his short fielder position behind second base, as well as making several running catches in right center field. Number two hitter Jim Ward had three hits and three runs scored to help set the table for the Mustang's big hitters.

Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 19 - Floral Arts 12 On Wednesday, the Mustangs were down by two in the top of the sixth, but scored seven to pull away for good, 19-12, and earn their fourth straight championship (sixth in eight years). The Mustangs hit only one home run, a shot by Mark Cusano, while Floral hit seven: Roger Whittlesey hit a three-run shot in the first inning, Rob Beaudette hit two in the contest, Frank Lancelotta, despite playing with a black-and-blue hamstring, belted out a solo shot, Chad Kirby hit a solo shot, and Geoff Pavoa and Simon Tripp homered. The Mustangs added four runs in the fifth and five in the seventh to build up a bit of a cushion against the always dangerous Floral squad. Winning pitcher Don Cusano and the outstanding Mustang defense got out of a bases loaded no out jam in the fifth inning without giving up any runs to the middle of the Floral Arts powerful order. The great escape was aided by an outstanding play by second base Paul Ligouri, who back handed a bullet grounder up the middle and flipped to second for the force play. Cusano and the defense combined to shutout their opponents for the last four innings. Mark Cusano was again the hitting star for the Mustangs, going 4-4 with the team's only home run, along with scoring four runs and driving in four as well. Keith Reynolds (4-4, three RBI) and Bill Knute (3-4, two RBI) came up big for the Mustangs' offense, along with super sponsor Craig Smith (two hits), Jay Lincoln (two hits, BB) and Scott Lawrence (two hits). The bottom five guys in the Mustangs' deep lineup combined to get on base 14 times in the total team effort. Knute made several outstanding running catches in left field, while Reynolds made a diving catch at first base of an errant throw while holding the bag to record an important out in the last inning.