Mustangs

The undefeated Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (16-0) won twice this week and has all but clinched a first-round playoff bye. Floral Arts (13-4) won twice this week, but lost to the Mustangs, and has a 3.5 game lead on both Willis Tent (9-7) and Shortcut Landscaping (9-7). These three teams will likely be sparring the rest of the season with the aim to gain that coveted last playoff bye. GutCheck (7-8) beat Drew Farms (7-9) to move into fifth place. Drews now sits in the sixth place, 2.5 games ahead of Pre Sports Therapy (4-11).

Shortcut Landscaping 26 – Pro Sports Therapy 6 On Sunday night, the SCL big bats exploded for 17 runs in the second inning to put away PST early, winning by run rule, 26-6. PST did have a few bright spots offensively, as Tom Rose continued to be a force with a 3-for-3 night that included a grand slam and five of the six PST RBI. Jeff Morse also contributed a 3-for-3 night and Mark Urlage went 3-for-4 with a homer. Dave Silton hit the only SCL home run, though everyone else in the SCL lineup contributed with base hits.

Mustangs 11 - Burtons 4 On Tuesday night, Don Cusano led the NVVM offense, going 4-for-4 with two homers, 5 RBI and 3 runs scored. Lefties Jack Erickson and Mark Cusano also homered for the Mustangs. Paul Selfrige and Jim Ward both chipped in with three hits from their top two spots in the order. Jay Dolan added two hits, while Paul Ligouri held Burton's in check to get the win on the mound. Burtons Grill’s Jon Russo, Kieran Murray, Greg Fitzgerald and Murph McKeon each had two hits.

Floral Arts 17 - Drew Farms 7 Floral overcame a slow start to beat a resilient Drew Farms, 17-7. Roger Whittlesey had the key hit in the game—a ringing two out, two run double that gave Floral needed separation. Jim Peloquin, Geoff Pavao, Rob Beaudette, and Simon Tripp homered for Floral, while Pat Pawlik and Todd Shephard went back to back for Drews. Larry Mardany overcame a rocky first inning on the mound to secure the win.

Mustangs 21 - Floral Arts 8 On Wednesday, Paul Selfrige set the tone early from the top of the NVVM batting order with four hits, including two doubles, a grand slam, six RBI and four runs scored. While Bill Knute's streak of reaching base in 22 straight plate appearances came to an end, he more than made up for it with two home run blasts, including a grand slam, five RBI and two runs scored. Don Cusano got the win on the mound and added two hits, including a deep home run to aid his cause. Other home run hitters for the Mustangs were Jay Lincoln, Jack Erickson (3 RBI), and Mike Kennedy. Dan Crogan chipped in with three hits, including a double, three runs scored and an RBI. Crogan and Selfrige turned two infield double plays to end potential big innings for Floral Arts.

Burtons Grill 17 - Healy Oil 16 For the second time in three games Burtons Grill spotted its opponent an early eight-run lead before slugging its way back to an eventual one run victory margin, this time over Healy Oil. Brian Collamore set the table by going 4-for-4 with three runs scored batting ahead of Luke Boulanger, who had a bases clearing double, finishing with three hits and four RBI. Peter Morano, Dave Batchelder and Jerry Breen all contributed three hits apiece and Jon Russo added a solo home run. Outfielder Tim Scott gunned down a Healy runner at second to keep Burtons within reach. Brian Haley's sac fly scored the winning run as Rick Waldron slid across the plate ahead of Healy's relay throw. Healy’s Brian Herrmann, Dave O'Keefe and Mike Martin homered. O'Keefe had a three-run shot in the top of the seventh.

Floral Arts 12 – Shortcut Landscaping 10 (8 innings) Floral Arts overcame a 5-1 deficit in the early innings to force extra innings, and ultimately beating SCL, 12-10 in the eighth inning. Mike Alonardo (2), Geoff Pavao, and Mark Chambers hit homers in the game. SCL’s Jason Humphrey (2) and Rob Prendergast each hit homers.

Pro Sports Therapy 7 – Willis Tent 4 Larry Zupkosky pitched a gem, keeping a potent Willis lineup to four runs. Zupkosky was supported by a couple of important defensive plays, including turning a double play. The PST offense had contributions up and down the lineup, the biggest being Andrew Fletcher’s 2 RBI single to open the scoring in the first and Zupkosky’s huge RBI single off the fence in the fourth. Willis pitcher Bob Fleury put in a worthy effort from the mound and at the plate. Fleury went 2-for-2, Rob Swinamer 2-for-3 and Steve Damiani hit a home run.

GutCheck 14 – Drews 11 GutCheck knocked off their league rivals in a close match that ended with w 14-11 score. GutCheck’s Matt Sepe hit two 3-run shots and Thanh Nguyen and Jeff Stabach both went 4-for-5.

They must like new beginnings. Burtons Grill (2-11) won the season opener, but since then has been snake-bitten. Burtons has had many opportunities to win since Opening Day, but the “W” eluded them until this week—the start of he second half—when they beat Drew Farms (7-7) in a close one. Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (14-0) remains undefeated and Floral Arts (11-3) sits in second place. Most teams have only 10 games remaining in the regular season, and so going forward acquiring wins becomes more critical as teams maneuver for one of the six playoff berths.

Willis Tent 3 – Drew Farms 2 Willis pitcher Bob Fleury won a pitcher’s duel on Tuesday, holding Drew Farms to just two runs. The win allowed Willis to move out of a fourth place tie with Drews. Willis’ Keith Wauters, went 3-for-3 with 2 singles and a double.

Floral Arts 16 – GutCheck 3 Floral Arts dinked and dunked their way to victory, scoring 16 runs with only three extra base hits. Ken Delaney’s 3-run homer in the seven-run second inning was the big blow. Leadoff man Dave Janowsky had four hits and reached base in all five plate appearances to spark Floral. Larry Mardany was strong on the mound; his only blemish was a towering home run by Thanh Nguyen.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 21 – Willis Tent 8 Don Cusano blasted two home runs (4-for-5, 6 RBI), while pitching NVVM to the win over a tough Willis squad. Cusano helped his cause by covering first base on two nice fielding plays by first baseman Craig Smith. Mustang outfielders Jack Erickson and Bill Knute also both made outstanding diving catches to thwart Willis rallies. Erickson had four hits and four runs scored from the two spot in the order. Knute (3 RBI) homered among his four hits, as well. Paul Selfrige (2 hits, BB, 6 RBI) and Mark Cusano (3 hits) also homered for the winners. Willis Tent’s Brian Gallardo was 3-for-4 night with a single, double and a home run. John Mangiaratti went 3-for-4 with a single, two home runs and a walk. Jeff Bridges hit a homer for Willis.

Going into the holiday break, Willis Tent (7-5) won twice this week with decisive wins over Gutcheck (6-7) and Shortcut Landscaping (8-6). The Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (13-0) remain the only undefeated team in the league and sit in first place in front of Floral Arts (10-3).

Pro Sports Therapy 8 – Drew Farms 7 Pro Sports Therapy bounced back to steal a win from Drew Farms on Tuesday night, 8-7. Larry Zupkosky led the way for PST, getting the win on the mound and putting up three hits to lead the offense. Second baseman Andrew Fletcher got PST off to a quick start, driving in two runs with a triple and then scoring in the top of the first inning. The top of the order also responded, with outfielder Mark Urlage getting on base three times and shortstop John Bodi going 3-for-3 with a sac fly. Drews staged a furious rally in the bottom of the seventh, with the big blow being a Rob O’Neil double off the left field fence, but fell a run short. Todd Shepherd led the Drew’s offense with two homers.

Willis Tent 16 – Gutcheck 4 On Wednesday, Willis Tent scored five runs in the first inning and then exploded for 10 runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach against Gutcheck. Willis Pitcher Paul Duato shut down the Gutcheck offense, limiting them to just four hits. Willis’ Dennis Kane went 3-for-3 with two singles and a double, Kevin Adolph was 2-for-3 and scored three runs, Brian Gallardo was 2-for-3 with a home run, Steve Damiani was 2-for-3, and Jeff Briggs had a 2-fo-3 evening. Gutcheck’s Matt Sepe led-off with a solo shot and Darren Wizst hit a three-run bomb.

Floral Arts 18 – Burtons Grill 6 The Floral offense opened up their throttle with their first seven home run game of the year. Jeff Moore, Frank Lancelotta, Mike Alonardo, Rob Beaudette, Ken Delaney, and Simon Tripp (2) all struck for the long ball. Roger Whittlesey went 4-for-4, and Dave Janowsky and Larry Mardany each had multi-hit games at the top of the lineup. Dave Bachelder led the Burton’s offense with two home runs.

Willis Tent 20 – Shortcut Landscaping 14 Willis Tent’s offense came prepared for what would be a seesaw battle, jumping to a quick lead with seven runs. After the second inning Willis held the slight 8-7 lead, but SCL added four runs in the bottom of the third to lead 11-8. But Willis fought back in the top of the fourth and took a 12 to 11 lead. With Willis pitcher Bob Fleury finally settling in, SCL only mustered a single run in the bottom of the fourth, pulling themselves to a 12-12 tie. Willis didn’t score in the next two innings, but SCL scored two, taking the 14-12 lead in the seventh. Willis’ bats exploded once again, this time with eight runs. Willis’ Steve Damiani went 3-for-4 with a single, double and home run, Dennis Kane was 3-for-4 with a home run, Rick Devanna was 3-for-4 with a single, double and home run, Bob Fleury was 3-for-4, Andrew Metters went 3-for-4 and Brian Gallardo hit two homers.

Healy Oil 14 – Pro Sports Therapy 13 Healy Oil put up six runs in the sixth inning to post a come-from-behind win over Pro Sports Therapy on Friday night. Healy hit five home runs during the game. PST’s Ben Armstrong had a huge night, going 4-for-4 with a double, two homers, including a grand slam, 7 RBI, and an IBB in the seventh inning. Derek Donegan also had a big night in the leadoff spot, going 3-for-4 with a couple of RBI.

Gutcheck 16 – Burtons Grill 1 Thanh Nguyen pitched a solid game to shut down his former team and was supported by strong defense all around. Everyone for Gutcheck contributed to the offense, scattering 21 hits over four innings. Jeff Curley was 3-for-3, Mark Lupien 2-for-2, Mark Priest 2-for-2, and Jimmy Sullivan (in his debut of the season) also 2-for-2 with 2 RBI. Jim DeMarco hit a grand slam in the third to break the game open.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 23 – Shortcut Landscaping 10 NVVM out-slugged powerful Shortcuts in the late game Friday night. The Mustangs pounded out 30 hits, including eight home runs. Lefty Bill Knute has hit the ball over the fence in 7 of his last 8 plate appearances over two games. Against Shortcuts he had three home runs, 6 RBI, including a grand slam and four runs scored. Fellow southpaw Mark Cusano added three hits, including two home run blasts and 3 RBI. Righty slugger Don Cusano belted two homers, with another long ball counting as a single (4-for-4, 5 RBI, 4 RS). Jim Ward (4-for-4, 4 RS) set the table all night from the two-hole. Cormac Bordes anchored the stellar Mustang defense, turning two infield double plays from his second baseman position.

It was another week of dominance for the undefeated Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (12-0), as they scored 62 runs in three games and their miserly defense only allowed 14 runs. Gutcheck (5-6) also had a good week, winning both their games and moving into sixth place.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 12 – Floral Arts 6 Bill Knute (4 RBI) and Mike Kennedy (5 RBI) both went 3-for-3 with a home run apiece for the NVVM. Jack Erickson added a home run blast of his own. Don Cusano homered and got the win on the mound. Jim Ward played outstanding outfield defense for the Mustangs. Jonathan Morgan (3-for-4) hit well for Floral.

Pro Sports Therapy 8 – Burtons Grill 3 Led by a strong mound performance by veteran Dave Chirokas, Pro Sports Therapy earned their second win of the season over Burtons. PST jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first, powered by Jerry Cressman’s 2-run homer. PST continued to score, posting at least run in every subsequent inning after the second. Cressman led the PST attack with 3 hits (including the HR) and 2 RBI. Chirokas also drove in a pair of runs on the night.

Willis Tent 22 – Healy Oil 17 Healy got off to a quick start, leading 6-2 by the second inning, but Willis came charging back in the third and added seven runs to take the lead, 9-6. Healy answered with five runs in the fourth inning, but Willis exploded with nine runs in the bottom of the fourth, taking the lead for good. Willis’ John Mangiaratti hit a grand slam, Rick Devanna went 3-for-4 with two home runs and a double, and Andrew Metters was 3-for-4 with a homer.

Gutcheck 3 – Pro Sports Therapy 2 In a rare pitcher’s duel, a former Pro Sports Therapy player Bill Cullen took the hill and shut down his old team, limiting the PST offense to single runs in the fifth and seventh innings. But in the third inning, PST pitcher Dave Chirokas gave up a leadoff home run to Jim DeMarco. Rey Vienneau followed with a single and scored on a John Haskin hit. Darren Wizst hit a sac fly to score Haskin, providing all the offense Gutcheck would need for the win. Gutcheck played excellent defense, including turning a bases-loaded double play. PST outfielder Ben Armstrong made several diving catches and went 2-for-2, while SS John Bodi was 3-for-3 with an RBI.

Drew Farms 19 – Healy Oil 14 Down by one in the top of the seventh, facing two out and no one on, Drews scored seven runs to pull out an exciting win over Healy. Rookie Rich Rago hit a grand slam, which Drews followed with another three runs to seal the victory. Rookie Pete Morowiak garnered his first hit to keep the inning going. Other than a couple of rough defensive innings, Drews played solidly with contributions from Bill Faherty, Alex Lelchook, Joe Welch and Sal Buonacore.

Gutcheck 14 – Shortcut Landscaping 12 A back and forth battle where Gutcheck eventually sneaked ahead in the sixth inning and held off the Short Cut bats in the final frame. Thanh Nguyen led the way offensively, going 4-for-4 with four home runs, accounting for six of Gutcheck's runs. Jim DeMarco hit a solo home run, and Billy Cullen contributed a solo shot and two doubles, and six RBI. Josh Haskin was 2-for-3. Jeff Stabach made several key plays in the outfield, including a diving catch that ended an inning, keeping runs off the board.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 9 – Healy Oil 5 Mike Kennedy went 3-for-3 with a home run and 4 RBI to lead NVVM to the win. Jack Erickson continued his hot hitting with 2 hits, including a home-run blast and 3 RBI. Don Cusano added three hits, 2 RBI, and solid outfield defense.

Floral Arts 3 – Willis Tent 2 Rob Beaudette knocked in two runs in the sixth inning to give Floral a 3-2 lead, and Floral’s defense, especially the outfield defense, helped make the lead stick. Dave Janowsky (2-for-2) and Jonathan Morgan (2-for-2) were key contributors for Floral. Willis’ John Mangiaratti hit a home run and a double, and Paul Duato pitched a great game.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 41 – Pro Sports Therapy 3 The reigning champs scored 16 runs before Pro Sports Therapy had a chance to bat. Then the Mustangs tacked on another 26 runs over the next four innings to win by mercy rule. The first-place Mustangs clubbed 11 home runs, four of which were reduced by a league rule to singles.

The Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (9-0) edged two games closer to achieving a perfect regular-season record, something they nearly accomplished in 2014 until finally suffering a late-season loss to Burtons Grill—nee Mario’s Restaurant. Third-place Shortcut Landscaping (8-3) also won twice this week, the highlight being a come-from-behind victory over second-place Floral Arts (8-2).

Floral Arts 17 – Healy Oil 4 Larry Mardany settled in after giving up two early home runs and the Floral bats came to life for nine runs in the second inning to help secure a win over Healy Oil. Jim Peloquin (2), Mark Chambers (2), Chad Kirby, and Simon Tripp homered for Floral. Bruce Wilhelm and Wayne Meadows homered for Healy.

Shortcut Landscaping 17 – Drew Farms 1 Bill Doherty pitched a solid game and also had three hits. Shortcuts hit all through the line-up. Brent Oakleaf and Jason Humphrey were both 4-for-4, with one and two homers respectively. Rich Acabbo had a bases-clearing double.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 13 – Gutcheck 0 NVVM Paul Ligouri pitched his second shutout of the season (fourth for the Mustangs). Jack Erickson (2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI), Mark Cusano (3 hits, 3 RBI, 3 runs), Mike Kennedy (3-for-3, 3 runs, 1 RBI) and Jay Dolan (3 hits, 2 RBI) were the offensive stars. Jim Ward and Paul Selfrige also added three hits apiece for the winners. Ligouri and Dan Crogan (2 RBI) contributed two hits each. Selfrige played well at shortstop for the Mustangs.

Floral Arts 14 – Pro Sports Therapy 1 Jim Peloquin, Simon Tripp, and Mike Alonardo hit bombs for Floral in a runaway win against Pro Sports Therapy. Pitcher Larry Mardany gave up nine hits, but great defense kept it a shutout until the last inning. The game ended when Floral Arts threw out a player at the plate. Jerry Cressman, Jeff Morse, and John Bodi each had two hits for PST.

Gutcheck 10 – Healy Oil 9 On Friday, Gutcheck edged Healy Oil by one run and got offensive contributions from everyone in their line up and made a spate of fine defensive plays. Kevin Borselli was 2-for-3 with a run, and Josh Haskin was 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Jeff Bernier was 2-for-3 with a run and 2 RBI, and he scored a run after racing first-to-third on a hit to left field, giving Gutcheck a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the 6th. Healy rallied with a 2-out, 3-RBI triple to take a 9-7 lead in the top of the 7th. Billy Cullen, who pitched a gem for Gutcheck, hit a 2-out, 2-run double off the centerfield fence to tie the game, and then scored on the subsequent, game-winning hit by Derek MacDermott.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 22 – Drew Farms 5 Mustangs’ hurler Paul Liguori, who hasn't lost on the mound in over one calendar year, kept his winning streak alive versus Drews. Ligouri received outstanding offensive support, including eight home runs (the last one counting as a single) from his teammates. Paul Selfrige set the tone at the top of the Mustang order, as usual, with four hits, including two home runs, four RBI, and three runs scored. Jack Erickson homered twice (5 RBI), Bill Knute added four hits and a homer, while Mark Cusano chipped in with three hits and a home run. Mike Kennedy provided the last Mustang long ball. Brian Foley saw his first action of the season and contributed two hits, two RBI, two runs, and played good defense at first for the Mustangs.

Shortcut Landscaping 16 - Floral Arts 15 Shortcuts’ Pat Flaherty hit two home runs (3-run and 2-run), including the game-winner that capped an eight-run seventh inning that erased a seven-run deficit. Brent Oakleaf also homered in the seventh inning for SCL, a no-doubter that likely traveled more than 400 feet. Jason Humphrey also homered for SCL and was a vacuum cleaner at shortstop. Jim Peloquin hit three home runs for Floral. Dave Janowsky (4-for-5) made several nice catches in left-center field.

Willis Tent 16 – Burtons Grill 0 Rob Swinamer pitched a three-hit shutout, 5t-inning slaughter-rule win for Willis Tent. Paul Duato, went 3-for-3 with a single, double and home run. Kevin Adolph, Steve Damiani and Rick Devanna also contributed a 3-for-3 performance, and Steve Young went 2-for-2. Rob Swinamer and Dennis Kane homered.