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After Wednesday night's games, the 2012 frontrunners have commanding 2 Games to 0 leads in both series that puts them on a collision course for a rematch of last year's Finals won by Floral Arts.
The nightcap saw the Mustangs win in decisive fashion with with a 20-8 victory over Willis Tent. In the first game, Floral Arts defeated Mario's Restaurant 15-2. Floral scratched for runs early, then put up 9 in the fifth to put a close game out of reach. Larry Mardany pitched a gem and carried a shutout into the sixth inning before surrendering a home run to Dave Batchelder. Mardany was ably backed up by some sparkling defense. Offensively, Jim Peloquin (2), Jonathan Morgan (grand slam), Mike Alonardo, Frank Lancelotta, and Simon Tripp all homered for Floral in addition to Tom Lester, Dean Wormell, and Mike Spanos, who all chipped in multiple hit games.
There will be a break for the holiday weekend before the playoffs resume on Tuesday, September 4th.
The second round of the 2012 playoff season opened on Tuesday night and it looked very similar to the regular season as the higher seeds prevailed in both games.
In the first game of the night, the regular season champion Mustangs began their drive to regain the playoff title with a 10-8 victory over Willis Tent.
The nightcap saw Floral Arts explode for 7 in the first on their way to a 14-5 win over Mario's Restaurant. Floral's big first inning was detonated by a 3 run HR by Jim Peloquin and they capped the evening with 4 in the sixth highlighted by a Simon Tripp 3 run HR. Larry Mardany pitched well in the win and other key offensive contributors included Dean Wormell, Geoff Pavao, and Frank Lancelotta (HR). Than Nguyen homered and had multiple hits for Marios.
Round two will continue on Wednesday night.
With a come from behind 12-11 win, Mario's Restaurant has taken their first round series from Drew Farms 2 Games to 1.
Mario's will now face the number two seeded Floral Arts in the second round beginning on Tuesday. The other matchup in the second round will be the number one seeded Mustangs taking on Willis Tent.
The second round is a best of 5 games format.
In Friday night's first game, Willis Tent advanced to the next round with a 7-1 win over Pro Sports Therapy in extra innings for a sweep of the series. Willis broke open the tight 1-1 game in the top of the 8th inning with 6 runs to advance.
In the second game, Mario's Restaurant staved off elimination with a 17-9 win over Drews Farm to tie the series at 1 game apiece. The final game of the series will be Sunday night at 7 PM.
Round two of the playoffs is now scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 28.
The Nashoba Valley Veterinary Hospital Mustangs have earned a first place finish for an impressive fourth year in a row. The Mustangs, which have won two championships in the last three years, finished this season with a 21-3 record, a testament to their balanced offense and solid defense. Reigning champs Floral Arts currently holds a 17-6 record and sits in second place, but has to finish a make-up game against fourth place Willis Tent (11-12). Mario’s Restaurant, a team that has finished in last place each season since 2007, had a remarkable season, finishing in third place with a 13-11 record. Mario’s will face sixth place Drew Farms (9-15) in the first round of playoffs. Willis Tent will face fifth place Pro Sports Therapy (10-14) in the best of three series. Shortcut Landscaping and Healy Oil did not earn a playoff berth this season.
Willis Tent 9 - Mustangs 8
Jeff Briggs hit a home run in the seventh inning to break an 8-8 tie and give Willis Tent a one run victory over the Mustangs. Jack Erickson led the Mustangs offensive attack with a double and a grand slam. Bill Knute was 3-for-3 with a home-run blast of his own. Don Cusano chipped in with two hits and a home run for the Mustangs. Infielders Paul Ligouri and Paul Selfrige also contributed two hits apiece for the Mustangs as well as some solid defense.
Floral Arts 18 - Shortcut 9
Floral Arts’ offense exploded for 6 runs in the first inning, and then scored in every inning thereafter, en route to an 18-9 victory over Shortcut Landscaping. Mike Alonardo, Tom Semeter, Frank Lancelotta, Geoff Pavao, and Simon Tripp all homered for Floral, while Brent Oakleaf and Chris Clark hit long balls for Short Cuts. Jim Peloquin was a standout at shortstop, and Billy Luppold continued his hot hitting with another multiple hit game.
Mustangs 10 - Floral Arts 5
In a hotly contested battle, the Mustangs broke a 5-5 tie with two out in the top of the seventh inning with back-to-back solo homers by Jack Erickson and Don Cusano. The Mustangs tacked on a few more insurance runs to cement the victory and close out the game by turning an infield double play to end it in the bottom of the seventh. Erickson (3 runs scored) had three hits, including his home run. Don Cusano pitched well for the Mustangs and added two hits, including his home run. Mark Cusano, Mike Kennedy, and Bill Knute each had two hits. Knute and Kennedy each played outstanding defense.
Mustangs 20 - Shortcut 7
The Mustangs won their fourth consecutive regular season championship and completed their third straight 21-3 campaign with a 20-7 elimination game victory over Shortcuts that sent their opponents home for the season. Jay Dolan and Paul Selfrige each had three hits and three runs scored to set the table for the Mustangs. Both Cusano brothers, Mark and Don, each had two hits, including a home run and three RBI for the victors. Other Mustangs with two hits apiece included Jack McGrath, Andy Mastandrea, Mike Kennedy, and Jim Ward, who drove in the 20th run, which clinched the mercy rule victory in the sixth inning. The Mustangs played their usual brand of solid defense. Dave Libby led Shortcuts with a pair of two run homers.
Pro Sports Therapy 9 - Drew Farms 6
In the final game of the regular season for both squads, Pro Sports Therapy defeated Drew Farms, 9-6. Pro Sports went up 5-0 after three innings, behind a solid effort from Tim Schutt on the mound, but saw Drew Farms answer with 5 in the fourth inning, powered by a Tom Menicci home run and another run in the sixth. Pro Sports then responded with 4 runs in the bottom of the sixth, and Jeff Fuller closed out the game on the mound for the win. Pro Sports had 11 different players contribute hits to the win.
