Announcement
ROUND ONE
Willis Tent 15 - PST 14
Willis Tent 12 - PST 11
(Willis wins the series, 2-0).
Willis Tent defeated PST twice by one run to earn a trip into the second round of the playoffs against the Mustangs. In the first game, Willis and PST traded the lead until the bottom of the seventh when Willis ended the contest with a bases loaded single to the left field fence. In the second game, Willis scored six runs in the first inning on the strength of home runs by Jeff Briggs and John Mangiaratti. Willis was up 12-6 at the bottom of the seventh inning, but PST rallied and scored five runs. Willis recorded the final out of the game as PST had tying run on second base.
Short Cuts Landscape 16 - Drew Farms 3
Short Cuts Landscape 15 - Drew Farm 4
(Short Cuts Landscape wins the series, 2-0)
Short Cut won two convincing games over Drew Farms to earn the right to play against Floral Arts in the second round. In the first game, Short Cuts Landscape ended the game early when, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Mike Gross hit a three-run homer to bring the score to 16-3. Short Cuts’ offense hit six home runs, including a Rich Acabbo grand slam in the third inning. Short Cuts played solid defense behind the pitching of Donnie Aiken, who held Drew Farms to three runs on three solo shots by Pat Pawlak and Todd Shepherd (2). In the second game, Chris Smith led off the game with a solo shot for Short Cut Landscaping (his first of two home runs on the night) and then Short Cut proceeded to go up 13-3 after three innings. Pawlak hit a solo home run for Drew Farms.
ROUND TWO (Best of Five)
Mustangs 13 - Willis Tent 0
The Mustangs hit four consecutive home runs in the third inning to propel them past Willis, 13-0. Winning pitcher Don Cusano (3-for-3, two home runs, six RBI) hit the first home run, followed by Bill Knute (2-for-3, one home run, two RBI), Mark Cusano, and Jack Erickson. Sure handed shortstop Paul Selfridge also added two hits and one home en route to the victory.
Floral Arts 20 - Short Cut Landscape 3
Floral Arts gave up a lead off home run to shortstop Chris Smith of SCL, then never looked back, winning 20-3. Floral Arts’ answer to Smith's blast was to put up nine runs in the bottom of the first. In the second inning, Shortcuts pushed across two runs on the strength of a Mike Gross home run, but it would be the last time SCL would score, as pitcher Larry Mardany kept Shortcuts off-balance until the game ended in the fifth inning. Simon Tripp (2), Frank Lancelotta, Tom Semeter, and Mike Alonardo hit home runs for Floral Arts. Roger Whittlesey, Jonathan Morgan, Jim Peloquin, and Jon Haslam had multiple hit games for the winners.
Round Two continues on Tuesday (8/30) and Wednesday (8/31). If necessary, Games 4 and 5 will be played the following Tuesday and Wednesday after the Labor Day Holiday Break.
