Announcement
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.
