Announcement
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.
