News and Announcements
The opening game of the 2011 Finals had to be postponed due to inclement weather. It will now be played on Friday, September 11, at 7 PM. Floral Arts will be facing the two-time defending champion Mustang squad.
Floral Arts defeated Short Cut Landscaping three times this week to earn a ticket to the finals for the third year in a row. It is still undecided whether Floral Arts will face the Mustangs (the league champion for two years running) or Willis Tent, a team that has benefited from some new firepower and a recent offensive renaissance. The Mustangs lead the best of five semi-final series against Willis Tent, 2-1.
Mustangs 18, Willis 10
In the second game of the semi-finals, played on Tuesday night, the Mustangs’ 17-man line up provided a balanced attack, defeating Willis Tent, 18-10, and going up 2-0 in the best of five series. Mustang cleanup hitter, Bill Knute hit three home runs and knocked in seven runs. Rookies Mike Kennedy (2-for-3, two RBIs) and Jack Erickson (three RBIs) also contributed home runs for the Mustangs. Mark Cusano, Jay Dolan, Craig Smith, Jim Ward, and Bill Knute played great outfield defense for the defending champs.
Willis Tent 11, Mustangs 9
On Wednesday night, the Mustangs fell short in their attempt to win the series and move into the championship round for the third year in a row, as Willis Tent edged the Mustangs, 11-9. Willis Tent had two big offensive outbursts to fend off elimination. Rob Swinamer and John Hunter both hit key three-run home runs, and each had multi-hit games to pace Willis. The Willis outfield of Kevin Adolph, Tom Mahanna, Ryan Gleason and Glenn Harding came up with big plays all night for Willis. The Mustangs had the winning run at the plate in the bottom of the 7th inning, but fell just short. The best of five series is now 2-1 in Mustangs’ favor.
Floral Arts 13, Short Cut Landscaping 12
On Tuesday night, Floral Arts prevailed in a tight contest that saw Short Cut Landscaping score two runs in the bottom of the seventh, one shy of tying the game, before pitcher Larry Mardany forced the final out of the game, thus earning Floral Arts a 13-12 win and a 2-0 lead in the semi-finals. Tom Lester had a big night for Floral Arts. Lester was 3-for-3 with two doubles and a home run. Jim Peloquin (4-for-4, home run), Roger Whittlesey, James Gibson, and Jon Haslam contributed clutch hits for the winners. Short Cuts displayed power up and down their lineup, knocking nine balls out of the park. Each of their two through six hitters had at least one homer.
Floral Arts 14, Short Cut Landscaping 13
Billy Luppold hit a momentum changing home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to spark a four-run rally and lead Floral Arts to a comeback victory over Shortcuts, 14-13. Frank Lancelotta’s game-winning single between short and third allowed Jim Peloquin to dash home from third and score the 13th run, which propelled Floral Arts into the championship round and eliminated Short Cut Landscaping from the 2011 playoffs. Both teams hit more than six home runs. Jonathan Morgan (2), Roger Whittlesey, Frank Lancelotta, and Geoff Pavao homered for the winners. Larry Mardany added three hits and Luppold chipped in a double in addition to his Titanic seventh inning blast.
One team advanced while another was eliminated on this third night of Semi-Final action.
Floral Arts moved on in the nightcap of the twinbill, eliminating Short Cuts Landscaping in a 3 game sweep fueled by a thrilling come back victory in the bottom of the seventh inning. Floral Arts 14-13 win advances them to the finals.
In the early game, Willis Tent staved off elimination with an 11-9 win over the Mustangs. The Mustangs still lead the series 2-1. This matchup continues on Tuesday, September 6th at 7 PM. Please note the change in start time from 6:30 to 7 PM.
If the Mustangs win, the Finals will begin on Wednesday, September 7th, at 7 PM. If Willis forces a game 5, it will be held in the same time slot.
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.
Having a bye is often a way to cool off a hot team. Especially when the opponents have a chance to get hot themselves. However the bye proved no obstacle for both the Mustangs and Floral Arts, as they both won their openers with games that were stopped early due to the enforcement of the Run Rule.
In the first game of the night, the defending champion Mustangs beat Willis Tent 13-0. Willis came in off of two thrilling one victories over PST to earn the right to challenge the champs, but could not get the offense started against starting pitcher Don Cusano and his defense. The Mustangs hit 4 consecutive homeruns in the 3rd inning to ignite the offense. Starting the run was Don Cusano (3-3, 2 homers, 6 rbi's), followed by Bill Knute (2-3, one homerun 2 rbi's), Mark Cusano, and Jack Erickson. Surehanded shortstop Paul Selfridge also added 2 hits and one homerun for the Mustangs.
Not to be outdone, Floral Arts gave up a lead off HR to SS 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 HR, but it would be the last time they would score, as pitcher Larry Mardany kept Shortcuts off-balance until the game was ended in the fifth inning. Simon Tripp (2), Frank Lancelotta, Tom Semeter, and Mike Alonardo all hit home runs for Floral Arts. Roger Whittlesey, Jonathan Morgan, Jim Peloquin, and Jon Haslam also had multiple hit games.
Due to the Hurricane that is threatening the region, the second game of both series will not be held on Sunday. Instead, Game 2 of each series will be played on Tuesday and Game 3 on Wednesday. If necessary, Games 4 and 5 will be held after the Labor Day Holiday on Tuesday (9/6) and Wednesday (9/7).
