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Short Cut Landscaping fought their way back in their playoff battle with Floral Arts but lost in game five by the stunning score of 33-30. Short Cut deserves credit for making it a close series as does Floral Arts for earning their 8th consecutive final round appearance versus the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs. The finals stand at one game a piece after a series tying win by Floral on Sunday night.
Short Cut Landscaping 21 - Floral Arts 17
On Tuesday night, with a slight mist falling, Short Cut Landscaping pushed the semifinal series to a fifth game by beating Floral Arts, 21-17. Shortcuts hit seven home runs and played excellent defense. Floral got home runs from Rob Beaudette, Simon Tripp, Chad Kirby, Geoff Pavao, and Larry Mardany.
Floral Arts 33 - Short Cut Landscaping 30
On Wednesday night, Short Cuts mounted a 20-8 lead through three innings, but then Floral chipped away and pulled off the comeback, winning 33-30 in the two hour, twenty-minute contest, thereby earning Floral's eighth straight trip to the championship finals. Floral pitcher Mardany got roughed up early, but in the later inning mixed up his pitches enough to keep the powerful Shortcut team from having any more big innings. Floral went ahead 3-0 in the first inning when Roger Whittlesey (3-for-5, five RBI) hit a home run over the center field fence, scoring Beaudette and Tripp. But Short Cut responded with six runs in the bottom of the inning. David Sullivan had a huge offensive night for SCL, hitting three home runs and knocking in six. Short Cut's Jason Humphrey made several spectacular plays at shortstop, including gunning down a runner at home on a relay throw, and then, in the later innings, he made a diving stop on a ball hit into the hole, and then threw out a runner at second from the sitting position. Tripp was 4-for-4 in the contest, and banged out two home runs, amassing six RBI. Beaduette also hit two bombs for Floral. Ryan Dunn hit an important three-run homer in the sixth inning to bring Floral within two runs of the lead. But the big hit of the night came at the hands of Jeff Moore who cranked a three-run moonshot over the left field fence to put Floral ahead by five runs going into the bottom of the seventh. In the seventh, Mardany induced a quick fly out, but Short Cut wouldn't go down easy, as they managed to score two more runs before lining to second baseman Mark Chambers for the second out. With two men on base, Shortcuts' last batter hit a rocket liner to third baseman Dunn to end the game and the series.
Mustangs 22 - Floral Arts 8 (Game One Finals)
The Mustangs utilized outstanding defense, aggressive base running, and timely hitting to defeat Floral Arts in the first game of their eighth consecutive finals matchup. The game ended with Jack Erickson gunning out a Floral baserunner at second base from right center field. Erickson also threw out a runner at first base earlier in the inning from his short fielder position. Jim Ward combined with shortstop Paul Selfrige to cut down another enemy opponent at the plate on a great relay earlier in the game. Third baseman Mike "Spider" Kennedy played his usual gold glove game by making several diving plays to take away sure hits. Offensively, Ward set the table nicely from his second spot, going 4-4 with four runs scored. Bill "Panda" Knute had three hits, including a homer, a triple and seven RBI. Other Mustang long balls were provided by Erickson, Kennedy, winning pitcher Don Cusano, and Selfrige. Rookie Scott Lawrence had three clutch hits and three runs scored to lead the Mustangs' sluggers. Floral got home runs from Mike Donaruma, Rob Beaudette, and Simon Tripp in the loss.
Floral Arts 13 - Nashoba Valley Mustangs 10
In game two of the series on Sunday night, Floral Arts defeated the Mustangs, 13-10. Floral built a 9-3 lead, but the Mustangs scored seven in the sixth inning to tie the game. This seven run inning included four home runs by Mark and Don Cusano, Bill Knute, and Cormac Bordes. Jack Erickson and Jim ward chipped in with two hits apiece. Floral then tied the game, 10-10, in the bottom of the sixth on a solo shot by Geoff Pavao, and then Floral pitcher Larry Mardany pitched his fourth scoreless inning of the game. In the bottom of the seventh, Chad Kirby (4-for-4) stroked a single, Simon Tripp walked, and then Rob Beaduette hit a three-run walk-off homer. Floral tied the series at one game apiece. Pavao (2), Tripp, Jeff Moore, Beaudette (2), and Ken Delaney all homered for Floral. Mardany was masterful on the mound. This was only the second loss this season for the Mustangs. Paul Liguori played well at second base for Floral in the loss.
In a game where the final score resembled one from the gridiron and not the softball field, Floral Arts defeated Short Cut Landscaping 33-30 to win the fifth and deciding game to move on to the finals against the defending champion Nashoba Valley Veterinary Hospital Mustangs. This is the eighth time in a row that these two teams have met in the finals with the Mustangs winning the last 3 and 5 of the previous 7 matchups.
First pitch is Friday night at 7 PM.
Short Cut Landscaping and Floral Arts Goes To a Fifth Game
With a 21-17 win, Short Cut Landscaping has evened their series with Floral Arts at two games apiece. The deciding game will be played tonight, Wednesday (9/7/16) at 7 PM. The Nashoba Valley Veterinary Hospital Mustangs are waiting in the wings for the winner, with the first game of the Finals slated to start on Friday.
The Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs efficiently made their way through the second round of the playoffs eliminating Drew Farms in the process. The Mustangs outscored Drews 72-26 over the three games. In the other contest, Floral Arts is up two games to one winning the first two decisively but Short Cut Landscaping came back in the third game and the series will continue for at least another night.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 25 - Drew Farms 5 Mike Kennedy led the balanced Mustang attack going 4-4, with a homerun, four RBI and four runs scored. Mustangs with three hits apiece included Paul Selfrige (Leadoff home run, three runs scored), Jim Ward (bases clearing triple), Mark Cusano (two RBI, three runs), and Cormac Bordes (three RBI, three runs scored). Keith Reynolds chipped in with two hits and three RBI. Kennedy made several excellent plays at third base.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 28 - Drew Farms 11 Winning pitcher Don Cusano crushed three homeruns to aide his own cause in the Mustangs game two victory. He got plenty of help from his teammates. Mike Kennedy had four hits, including a homer and four RBI. "Big Game," Paul Selfrige led off the game with another homerun, the first of four hits and four runs scored. Rookie Jim Ward blasted his first homerun of the year as well. Lefties Jack Erickson, Bill Knute, and Mark Cusano all had four hits also. Keith Reynolds added a bomb of his own and super sponsor Craig Smith chipped in with three hits. Ward made an outstanding diving catch in left center to snuff out a Drew's rally.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 19 - Drew Farms 10 The Mustangs jumped out to a 15-0 lead in game three and fought off a late Drews rally to win the clinching game three. Paul Selfrige led the way again, going 4-4 with a homerun blast, 2 RBI, and 4 runs scored. His partner at the top of the order, Jim Ward, also added 4 hits and 4 runs scored to set the table for the middle of the Mustangs order. Mark Cusano ripped two homers with 5 RBI and brother Don belted 4 hits with 3 RBI and a homerun of his own. Jack Erickson smacked 3 hits and Bill Knute added a homerun, too. Paul Ligouri had three hits and combined with Jay Lincoln to make two excellent infield plays. The Mustangs outfielders ran down everything hit their way the entire series long.
Floral Arts 37 - Short Cut Landscaping 8 On Sunday night, Floral Arts defeated Shortcut Landscaping, 37-8, in game one of the semifinals. Floral scored in every inning and banged out seven home runs. Ken Delaney led off the game with a single, followed by a singles by Mike Alonardo and Simon Tripp. Rob Beaudette doubled in two runs and then Roger Whittlesey hit a three-run homer over the center field fence, knocking in three. Whittlesey, who had another three-run homer in the fourth inning, earned seven RBI in the game. But, Floral got multi-homer games from two other players too. Jeff Moore was 4-for-4 with two homers and five RBI, and Delaney knocked out two, going 3-for-4, and collected four RBI. Larry Mardany pitched a great game, keeping the potent Short Cuts offense to only four home runs and seven runs scored.
Floral Arts 24 - Short Cut Landscaping 11 On Tuesday, Floral Arts went up 2-0 in the best-of-five series with a 24-11 win over Short Cuts. Delaney led the way with four hits. Floral got homers from Tripp, Beaudette (2), who also went 4-for-4, Mike Donaruma, Geoff Pavao, and a grand slam from pitcher Mardany. Frank Lancelotta made several nice plays at first base, and Dave Janowsky made a several tough catches in left center.
Short Cut Landscaping 13 - Floral Arts 9 On Wednesday, eager to close out the series, Floral Arts' bats fell silent, as Short Cuts won 13-9. Chad Kirby was a bright offensive light for Floral, hitting two homers and going 3-for-3. Beaudette, Tripp, Mardany, and Ryan Dunn all homered, but it wasn't enough, as Short Cuts maintained the lead throughout the contest and bringing the series to 2-1 in favor of Floral.
