Announcement
The Mustangs received their third loss of the season this week but remain firmly in first and far outpace the rest in runs scored. Floral Arts, also with three losses, is playing strong and owns the number two position. Healy Oil is playing very well and has done a nice job securing a playoff spot. Drew Farms and Pro Sports Therapy are grabbing any win they can down the stretch to capture the final opening.
Burton's Grill 18 - Nashoba Valley Mustangs 17
Burton's Grill earned a walk off win over the first place Mustangs in what was a back and forth, run-trading affair. Burton's scored six runs in the first inning highlighted by home runs by Charlie Chungu (2), Jon Russo (1) and Dave Batchelder (1). Burton's scored another four runs in the third bringing the score to Mustangs 11 and Burtons 10. Murph McKeon and Charlie Chungu hit back-to-back home runs in the frame. Both teams scored two each in the fourth and sixth to keep it close and this one was clearly going to come down to the wire. Luke Boulanger hit a clutch blast in the bottom half of the sixth to continue his torrid hitting. The Mustangs posted important runs in the top of the seventh and Burtons came to bat, down three, against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Jerry Breen (three runs scored) hit a single followed by singles from McKeon (3-for-4 three runs scored, two RBI), and Chungu (4-for-4, three runs scored, four RBI). The next two batters popped out, leaving Burton's still down three with the bases loaded and two outs. Dave Batchelder hit a single and knocked in a run, John Geary hit another single that scored two more and tied it up at 17. Jerod Colley confidently then swung at the first pitch he saw, sending it to the right side of the field and scoring the winning run from third for a Burton's 18-17 win.
Healy Oil 16 - Burton's Grill 9
Fresh off of their win over the number one Mustangs, Burton's came out flat and ran into a offensive and defensive juggernaut in Healy Oil. Healy, with two outs in the first, mounted the first of many multiple run innings with a grand slam and an early lead they would not relinquish. Home runs came from Tony Pantoja (two), Nick Wilmot (two), Brian Herrmann, Matt Dowling and Bill Eaton. Nick Wilmot (4-for-4) provided a good mix of pitches while being protected by solid defensive plays from Matt Dowling in left, Tony Pantoja at short and Wayne Meadows at third. Colin MacDonald went 3-for-3 despite suffering a knee injury early in the game. Burton's got a home run from Jerod Colley and Luke Boulanger was 2-for-2 with two runs scored in the loss. Mike Jerzlyo was also on twice for Burtons.
Pro Sports Therapy 25 - CSA Graphics 1
This was the game between the two teams who are currently not qualified for the play-offs. And, it may have been the least attended game in the history of the league - ten guys on each side and an umpire. The next closest human was probably at the Franco American nearby. PST got 15 runs in the first to top their season per game average in that one inning and it was 4-3-3 in their next three innings before the run-rule was enforced. Dave Chirokas threw a gem, only giving up one run in the fourth. All ten players contributed offensively, highlighted by the season debut of outfielder Tom Rose (4-for-5 with four RBI, four runs scored, and a home run off the light pole that is still rising). Ben Armstrong (4-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored), Donald Slate (home run and seven RBI), Jeff Fuller (double, triple, and four RBI), and Derek Donegan with a home run. The PST defense was highlighted by a gem of a play on a shot down the line by Tim Schutt at third.
Nashoba Valley Mustangs 22 - Drew Farms 9
Bill Knute is rounding back into shape and ripped two long home runs with seven RBI to lead the Mustangs over Drews. Fellow slugger Don Cusano contributed four hits, including one home run, five RBI, and a nice diving catch in right. Jim Ward and Paul Selfrige (home run) both added four hits and three runs scored apiece from their top two spots in the order to set the table. Jack Erickson and Mike Kennedy both chipped in with home run blasts for the winners while Brian Foley and winning pitcher Paul Liguori both had three hits. Foley made a nice play at catcher, as well.
Healy Oil 13 - CSA Graphics 5
Healy's defense helped out pitcher Nick Wilmot in Wednesday's game with solid plays by Tony Pantoja at short and Wayne Meadows occupying third. Matt Dowling continues to shine in left with a few inning ending shoelace catches with runners in scoring position. Going deep for Healy was Tony Pantoja, Nick Wilmot, Wayne Meadows and Bill Eaton in the win. CSA Graphics was unable to get into the swing of things and was unable to achieve more than two hits in any of the first five innings of the game. Healy chipped away continuously to maintain a lead throughout. CSA's Mike Cioffi led-off the second inning with a solo home run, and then CSA did not score again until the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly from Derek MacDermott. After six innings, Healy had a comfortable 13-2 lead. CSA tried to mount an attack in the seventh inning, scoring three runs, but left the bases loaded to end the game.
Short Cut Landscaping 29 - CSA Graphics 23
A good old fashioned pitching duel between Short Cut Landscaping and CSA Graphics, ending in a 29 to 23 victory for SCL. The scoring was early and often. CSA kept pace with SCL early, scoring seven runs in the first inning and then three more in the second. Short Cuts continued to post runs, benefited from many errors on the CSA side, and maintained a lead throughout. In the fourth inning CSA clawed back, scoring eight, but then again had a quiet fifth inning. SCL eventually reached the home run maximum, but padded their lead in the top of the seventh inning, yielding a comfortable 11 run advantage. CSA scored four in the final frame, which was not enough. While every CSA Graphics player had at least one hit, offensive highlights were Jim DeMarco (4-for-5 with two, two-run home runs), Bill Cullen (4-for-5, including a grand slam), Billy Ryan (5-for-5), and Bob Cullen (three-run homer).
Willis Tent 8 - Healy Oil 5
Healy Oil lost to Willis Tent 8-5 on Sunday's opening game to start the night. Healy, scoreless after the first three innings, tried to rally in the seventh but fell short. Nick Wilmot had a two-run shot over center in the fourth and Dave O'Keefe added another two-run home run over left in the seventh for Healy in the loss.
