Announcement
GutCheck is digging deep and the Grill is heating up. When GutCheck (9-8) entered the league three years ago, the team finished in last place (ninth) and then eighth place in 2014; neither of these finishes got them into the playoffs. But this year is a different story, as the team now sits in fourth place, a game behind Willis Tent (9-7) and four games behind second place Floral Arts (13-4) after three straight wins. Burtons Grill (5-12) last made the playoffs in 2013, but has fallen on hard times ever since. This season the team did not acquire its second win until a couple of weeks ago, but since then the team has won three straight and now sits in seventh place, on the precipice of a position that could earn them a playoff berth. Drew Farms (7-10), two games ahead of the surging Burtons, is desperately trying to cling to that last playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (18-0) did this week what they’ve done all season—maintained their status as the only undefeated team in the league.
GutCheck 6 – ProSports Therapy 1
On Sunday, GutCheck and PST played a close defensive game. GutCheck’s Rey Vienneau ignited a couple of double plays from shortstop, and Mark Priest deftly fielded several ground balls at second base. Thanh Nguyen made an outstanding play, catching a ball deep in left field and then ginning the ball to first to double-up a PST runner. Nguyen, who hit a solo homer, walked with the bases load in the fifth inning, and Jeff Curley followed with a two-run double. PST’s Derek Donegan made a few nice plays a shortstop, and Larry Zupkowsky pitched well in the loss.
Burtons Grill 18 – Healy Oil 9
Burtons Grill struck early with a 10-run second inning, and watched Healy Oil creep back to within three runs before putting the game out of reach with a six-run seventh inning. Jerry Breen and Brian Collamore keyed the offense. Both went 4-for-4 and Breen hit a grand slam and tallied 5 RBI. Collamore scored three runs. Dave Batchelder added a two-run homer, and Murph McKeon, Luke Bolanger, and Kieren Murray each had three hits apiece. Jerod Colley was sharp on the mound, striking out a season-high four batters.
Willis Tent 19 – Shortcut Landscaping 6
On Tuesday, Willis Tent used a combination of masterful pitching by Rob Swinamer and solid defense to beat SCL, 19-6. Both teams got off to a slow start offensively until Willis erupted for seven runs in the third inning, added four more in the fifth, and closed out with five runs in the sixth, capped by Brian Gallardo’s sacrifice fly, which earned Willis the run-rule victory. Swinamer hit a home run and walked three times, Gallardo hit two homers, and Rick Devanna and Glenn Harding each hit long balls.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 5 – Drew Farms 1
NVVM pitcher Paul Liguori kept his winning streak alive with a hard-fought win over a determined Drew Farms team. Infielders Cormac Bordes and Dan Crogan led the solid all-around defensive effort for the Mustangs. Paul Selfrige and Jim Ward each had three hits, and Don Cusano had two hits.
Burtons Grill 15 – Pro Sports Therapy 2
On Wednesday, Burtons Grill continued to pile up runs via the long ball, leading to a 15-2 run-rule victory over PST. Murph McKeon, Jerry Breen, and rookie Steve Sawyer all homered. Sawyer’s shot was a three-run walk-off shot that capped a four RBI night. Tim Scott’s aggressive base running led to a pair of doubles, and Peter Morano knocked in three runs in the early going. Pitcher Jerod Colley stamped out every PST rally, notching two more strike outs and helping himself with a 3-for-3 night at the plate.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 20 – Shortcut Landscaping 7
NVVM southpaw Mark Cusano pounded out four hits, including two homers, a double, and six RBI to lead the Mustang offense in a win against SCL. Dan Crogan and Mike Kennedy both added four hits apiece. Paul Selfrige, Bill Knute (HR, 3 RS), Jay Dolan (triple, 2 RS), and Cormac Bordes (2 doubles, 2 RBI, 2 RS) hit well for the Mustangs. Don Cusano (3 RBI) added a two-fence home-run blast late in the game. Kennedy and Dolan both made outstanding plays in the field.
GutCheck 11 – Healy Oil 8
On Friday, GutCheck continued their winning streak behind solid pitching and defense with an 11-8 win over Healy Oil. Thanh Nguyen (3-for-3, 2 HRs) and Jeff Staubach (4-for-4) were the offensive stars for the winners. Healy’s Brian Hermann and Wayne Meadows hit homers for Healy. Bill Eaton had a two-run shot in the second.
