Mustangs

As Floral Arts pitcher Larry Mardany is fond of saying, “You need ten to win.” The logic in this maxim is that on most nights scoring ten or more runs will result in a win. The same notion could be transferred to a team making the playoffs this season: You may need ten to get in.

Healy Oil (9-14) appeared to be a team earmarked for a playoff berth, but two losses this week allowed several other teams to creep close enough to make it very uncomfortable for the Oil Men. Healy may need to win its final game of the season against Willis Tent (8-13) if it wants to see the post-season. A loss would tie Willis and Drew Farms (9-14) with Healy, and both teams, by virtue of their winning records against Healy in the regular season, would earn the tie-breaker and knock Healy into sixth place, where they would grab the last playoff berth. However, surging Pro Sports Therapy (9-13), which has won its last two games by a 41-15 margin and has two chances to acquire its tenth win, could play the spoiler under the same conditions described above and keep Healy from making the playoffs.

This week Shortcut Landscaping (13-10) defeated Gutcheck (6-16) thereby mathematically eliminating the second year team from the playoffs. Mario’s Restaurant (6-16) cannot earn a playoff berth this season either. Mustangs, Floral Arts and Shortcut Landscaping are seeded one, two, and three. They’re in the playoffs. After that, it comes down to four teams (Healy Oil, Drew Farms, Willis Tent, and Pro Sports Therapy) with nearly identical records vying for the three remaining playoff spots.

This will be settled on the field this week.

Mustangs 15 - Willis 2

On Sunday, Don Cusano got the win on the mound for the Mustangs and also led the way at the plate (3-for-3, 2 HR, 4RBI, 4 RS).?Bill Knute, Jim Ward, Paul Selfrige,?and Jack Erickson each had three hits.?Selfrige and Erickson added home runs as well.?Erickson also threw out another runner from his left short fielder spot to end?a potential Willis rally.?

Gutcheck 6 - Drews 5

Gutcheck played another tight game against Drew Farms, winning the defensive battle, 6-5, and taking the regular season series, 2-1. Most of the damage was done in the bottom of the third inning when Gutcheck put up five runs. A couple of double plays, one unassisted by shortstop Rey Vienneau, and then a run down between third and home that ended in a tag out by catcher Earl Dawson were big inning-ending plays orchestrated by Gutcheck during the game. Gutcheck, not mathematically out of the playoffs, doesn’t appear to be going down without a fight.

Pro Sports Therapy 22 - Healy Oil 9

Pro Sports Therapy continued their desperate drive to claim the last playoff spot with a run-rule victory over Healy Oil in the top of the sixth inning, winning 22-9. PST jumped out to a 6-2 lead, but Healy put up six in the bottom of the third to go ahead 8-6. PST then had a huge fourth inning, putting up eight runs, followed by five in the fifth inning, and then got a walk off for the second game in a row by rookie Ben Armstrong, who doubled in the game-ending run. PST had a big offensive day by playing small ball—putting up 29 hits. Mark Urlage led the onslaught from the lead-off position, going 4-for–4 with a walk and four runs scored. PST also got big days from Derek Donegan (4 H), rookie Mark Pelosky (3-for–3, BB), Gordon Eddy (4 RBI), and the bottom of the order (Gary Royal, Jeff Morse, and Jeff Fuller—all with three hits). Chris Ricard hit a three-run homer and Bill Eaton added a solo shot for Healy.

Floral Arts 24 - Healy Oil 10

Simon Tripp (2) and Geoff Pavao each hit homers in a 24-10 victory over Healy Oil on Tuesday night. Billy Luppold (2H, 2 RBI), Dean Wormell (2H), and Mark Chambers (2H) chipped in at the plate for Floral. Right center fielder Mike Alonoardo cut down a runner at the plate and second baseman Frank Lancelotta made a nice running catch in the win.

Mustangs 10 - Willis 4

Don Cusano got the win on the mound and helped himself with two home runs, five RBI and three runs scored.?Cusano’s homers were his 21st and 22nd of the season, which makes him the league leader in that category. He was aided by Bill Knute's three hits, along with two hits apiece from Paul Selfrige, Jim Ward, and Jay Lincoln.?Dave Barnes made an outstanding play at first base for the Mustangs.

Floral Arts 10 - Mario’s Restaurant 6

On Friday night, Simon Tripp hit his third homer of the week and his 20th of the season, this one a grand slam in the first inning, to help Floral get off to a fast start against Mario’s Restaurant. Jim Peloquin and Rob Beaudette also hit home runs. Roger Whittlesey (3-for-3, 2R), Dave Janowsky (2-for-3, 2R) and Greg Marchand (2-for-3) chipped in for Floral in the win.

Shortcut Landscaping 10 - Gutcheck 5

Shortcut Landscaping gunned down two players at the plate in one inning to eliminate a Gutcheck rally that could turned the game around. Instead, SCL hung on for the win. Mike Gross hit a grand slam for SCL and Carl Dean also homered. Doug Bigham was solid at third base for SCL. Thanh Nguyen hit a three-run homer for Gutcheck.

The Nashoba Valley Mustangs (20-1) won twice this week and have clinched first place. Second place Floral Arts (17-4), with one win in two tries this week, has now clinched second place.

Then it gets muddy.

Third place Shortcut Landscaping (12-10), despite winning one of two this week, can still be caught by fifth place Willis Tent (8-11) or fourth place Healy Oil (9-12).  If Willis Tent, by virtue of its three wins against SCL this season, were to tie SCL in the final standings, the league tie-breaker rule would go into effect and Willis would take over third place. If Healy Oil, which has split two games against SCL, wins two of its final three, including its game against SCL, it would overtake SCL’s spot in the standings.

Drew Farms (9-13), which has spent most of the season in third or fourth place, dropped to sixth place after losing three games this week. Seventh place Pro Sports Therapy (8-13) currently sits a half game away from gaining a playoff berth. Mario’s Restaurant (6-15) and Gutcheck (5-15) are both a whisker away from being mathematically eliminated from making the playoffs.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 19 - Gutcheck 4

On Sunday, Mike Kennedy led the balanced Mustang offense with three home runs, six RBI, and three runs scored. Every Mustang had at least one hit and one run scored. Jack McGrath hit a home run, while Jack Erickson (3 RS, 2 RBI) and Dan Crogan chipped in with three hits apiece. Mark Cusano (4 RBI, 2 R) and Jay Dolan (3 RBI) contributed two hits each for the Mustangs. Bill Knute continued his excellent outfield play.

Healy Oil 7 - Shortcut Landscaping 5

On Tuesday night, when the air was heavy and the ball remained in the ballpark, Healy Oil’s Mike Finegan and Cam Santana both hit triples with men on to pick up the majority of the Healy runs. SCL rallied in the sixth and picked up three to get within two but couldn't put up any runs in the top of the seventh.

Floral Arts 19 - Drew Farms 6

The Floral bats boomed in the first inning, scoring 10 runs against Drew Farms. Drew Farms chipped away at the lead, getting within five runs in the third inning, but then the Floral bats erupted again to out the game out of reach. Ken Delaney (2-for-3, 5 RBI) stroked a grand slam in the first. Rob Beaudette continued his power streak, hitting two more home runs (solo, 2-run), while going 3-for-3. Frank Lancelotta had a nice day at the plate for Floral, collecting two hits, including a two-run home that cleared the left field fence. First baseman Mark Chambers had two hits and made a leaping catch on a hard hit liner that robbed Drew Farms of a sure hit. Larry Mardany pitched a great game and made a running basket catch on a pop up in foul territory between home and third base.

Gutcheck 11 - Healy Oil 9

On Wednesday, Gutcheck ended their losing skid by winning a tight contest against the playoff hopeful Healy Oil, 11-9. Both offenses traded blows all game until Gutcheck took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning and held on, keeping the Healy Oil offense off the scoreboard in the seventh. Gutcheck’s defense was solid all game with Rey Vienneau and Jeff Curley making big plays in the infield. Curley hit two home runs and gathered 6 RBI, and Thanh Nguyen (home run) drew an intentional walk.

Mustangs 17- Floral Arts 8

On Friday, Mike Kennedy (4-for-4, home run, 3 RBI) and Mark Cusano (2-for-3, home run, 4 RBI) led the way for the Mustangs as the 20-1 team cruised to a well-earned victory. Floral went up 2-0 in the first inning on a home run by Simon Tripp, but the Mustangs stormed back in the top of the second. Jim Peloquin (solo home run and two walks) played a fine game at short before coming in as a relief pitcher in the fifth inning. Floral’s Greg Marchand was 3-for-3 with a grand slam homer. Mustang Jim Ward (3-for-4, 3 RS) was productive at the plate, and Cormac Bordes (2 H, 2 RBI) played excellent defense at first base. The win clinched first place for the Mustangs.

Shortcut Landscaping 11 - Mario’s Restaurant 9

Shortcuts prevailed over Mario’s on the strength of five home runs, which provided enough cushion to survive the last-inning rally staged by Mario’s. The game ended with the tying run on first base for Mario’s. SCL’s Jason Humphrey, Dave Silton, Brent Oakleaf, Mike Gross, and Dave Sullivan homered. Sullivan’s two-run blast was the difference-maker in the game. Mario’s Rick Waldron continued his late-season power surge by hitting his third home run of the last three games, this one a two-run shot that cleared both fences. Rookie Tim Scott added to his team lead in outfield assists by throwing out an SCL runner attempting to advance to third base. Brian Collomore remained hot at the plate; he has hit a combined 8-for-9 in his last two games.

Pro Sports Therapy 19 - Drew Farms 6

In a desperate drive for the playoffs, Pro Sports Therapy defeated Drew Farms 19-6 in the nightcap on Friday. PST jumped out to a quick lead, putting up four runs in the first. Leading 7-0, Drew Farms scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth to make a game of it. PST responded on the back of Mark Strzegowski home runs in the fifth and sixth innings, which drove in five combined runs. Newly installed lead off man Ben Armstrong then ended the game with a thre-run homer in the top of the seventh. PST also got big offensive performances from coach Gary Royal (3-for-3, Walk, 3 RS) and Jerry Cressman (3 H, 3 RS). Gordon Eddy was on base all night, scoring three runs to go along with two hits. He also was part of the defensive gem of the night for PST, started by 2B Derek Donegan.

For a few teams, the playoffs are a familiar friend. For others they are as elusive as Big Foot. And for yet another small group clustered at the center of the standings, the playoffs are within scratching and clawing distance.

Scratching: It took eleven innings for Healy Oil (8-11) to defeat eighth place Mario’s Restaurant (6-14) this week.

Clawing: Third place Drew Farms (9-10) needed nine innings to defeat last place Gutcheck (4-14), a team that, though not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, will likely need to win 5 of its final 6 for a legitimate chance at the post-season.

Healy Oil is now in fifth place and 1.5 games ahead of seventh place Pro Sports Therapy (7-13), which has made the playoffs for 17 years in a row, but with only four games left, is in danger of ending its streak. Willis Tent (7-11) currently holds the sixth and final playoff spot, but may need to win half of its remaining six games to earn a playoff berth.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs (18-1), Floral Arts (16-3) and Shortcut Landscaping (11-9) are the top three teams. Floral and Mustangs have already earned a first-round playoff bye.

Drew Farms 15 - Gutcheck 13

On Tuesday night, Gutcheck owned the lead until the seventh inning, when Drew Farms posted four runs to go up 12-11. Gutcheck pushed across a run in the seventh and then forced the game into extra innings. Neither team scored until Drew Farms plated three runs in the top of the ninth. Gutcheck left fielder Thanh Nguyen hit a solo shot, his second homer of the game, to lead off the bottom of the ninth and make the score 15-13, but that would be all for Gutcheck, despite getting a couple more runners on base. Jim Curley hit two home runs for Gutcheck, and Gary Lavelle and Bob Wilson each had a solo shots. Todd Shepherd and Steve Abbott hit big home runs when Drew Farms needed a lift. Jason Goldthwaite played a great game at shortstop and Billy Faherty made an amazing catch behind the plate in the bottom of the ninth to help secure the win.

Floral Arts 17 - Pro Sports Therapy 2

Jim Peloquin made his third start of the season on the mound and pitched a gem, allowing no hits until the fifth inning when PST's John Bodi lined a single down the third base line. Peloquin made several stellar defensive plays in the game, including a diving grab on a ball earmarked for center field. Peloquin didn't leave the offense to chance, either. He went 4-for-4, hit three home runs, knocked in seven and scored four times. Outfielder Mike Alonardo (3-for-4, 2 HRs, 4 RBI) threw out a runner trying to tag from second base on a fly ball. Rob Beaudette was 4-for-4 with a home run.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 16 - Shortcut Landscaping 12

On Wednesday night, Jack McGrath had a huge night for the first place Mustangs, going 3-for-3 and swatting a grand slam. The Mustangs also got great offense from Donnie Cusano (2 HRs), Mike Kennedy (3-for-3 with a home run) and Paul Selfrige and Jack Erickson, who both homered once. Erickson was instrumental in cutting down a late-inning Shortcut threat by throwing out a runner at first base from the short left field position to take away what would have otherwise been a base hit.

Healy Oil 24 - Mario’s Restaurant 21

In one of the most exciting games of the season, Healy Oil needed sparkling defense, great physical stamina, and raw power to push past Mario’s, 24-21, in eleven innings. Brian Herrmann, Brian Egan, and Tony Pantoja hit homers for Healy. Defense kept the game close, especially plays by right fielder Egan, who threw out a runner at third late in the game, and Al Boisvert’s catch of a pop foul that brought him to the foul line and required great agility to keep his toes in fair territory while making the grab.

It was David and Goliath all over again. Mario’s Restaurant (6-13), a team in eighth place, served the reigning champs and currently first-place Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (17-1) their first loss of the season in a extra-inning thriller on Sunday. There are no more undefeated teams in the league. Nevertheless, the Mustangs have secured a first-round playoff bye for the sixth year in a row. Second place Floral Arts (15-3) won twice this week and needs either one more win or a Shortcut Landscaping (11-8) loss to gain a playoff bye for its fourth year in a row. The top two teams of the regular season sit out the first round while the third through sixth place teams battle it out. Drew Farms (8-11) is in possession of fourth place, and Willis Tent (7-11) and Healy Oil (7-11) are tied for fifth place. Surging Pro Sports Therapy (7-12) has won two out of its last three games and is in a three-way battle for one of the four first-round playoff spots.

Healy Oil 17 - Shortcut Landscaping 14

Last Sunday, Healy Oil singled and doubled their way to a big win over the powerful Shortcut crew. Mike Martin got the win on the mound for Healy. Brian Egan hit Healy’s only homer of the game, a liner over the center field fence. Brian Herrmann hit a bases-loaded triple off the right field fence. Shortcuts had two men on and one of their power hitters at the plate when Dan Nucci ended the game by diving to catch a foul tip behind the plate.

Willis Tent 12 - Pro Sports Therapy 9

This was a continuation of a game suspended because of rain in May. At the time of the suspension, Willis led 4-1. Upon resumption, Pro Sports Therapy put up two runs right away, only to see Willis put up three in the bottom of the inning. PST kept chipping away, but a four-run Willis outburst in the bottom of the fifth put it away. A Nate Frazee 3-run bomb in the top of seventh made it close again, but that would be all the scoring PST could muster. Tom Rose (3-for-3) stayed hot, and shortstop Ben Armstrong contributed three hits.

Nashoba Valley Mustangs 16 - Gutcheck 3

Paul Ligouri got the win on the mound for the Mustangs in an all-around team effort. Bill Knute led the offense with two hits, including a homer. Mike Kennedy and Don Cusano each had three hits apiece and three runs scored for the winners. Mark Cusano, Dan Crogan, Jay Dolan, Jay Lincoln, and Jack Erickson each had two hits. Jim Curley had a home run for Gutcheck.

Floral Arts 8 - Willis Tent 2

On Wednesday, Shortstop Jim Peloquin stroked two home runs and knocked in five to lead second place Floral Arts to an 8-2 win over Willis Tent. Rob Beaudette also contributed a home run. Dave Harrington pitched well in the loss for Willis, keeping most of the Floral batters off-balance with his mix of short and long pitches.

Shortcut Landscaping 11 - Pro Sports Therapy 6

Short Cut Landscaping defeated Pro Sports Therapy, 11-6, in a battle of small ball as the winds that preceded the lightning that stopped the game after six innings kept the ball in play all night. PST got out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but SCL scored in each of the first four innings – including a four-run fourth inning that broke open the tight game. SCL played clean defense throughout, throwing out two PST runners at third and not allowing a PST run after the third inning. For PST, several players had multi-hit games, led by pitcher Dave Chirokas, who drove in three of the PST six runs.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 9 - Mario’s Restaurant 5

The Mustangs were clinging to a one-run lead while batting in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs when Jack Erickson and Bill Knute each hit two-run homers to provide enough insurance runs to hang on for the hard fought victory over a determined Mario's squad on Friday. Knute led the Mustangs with two home runs and four RBI. Paul Selfrige played his usual stellar game at shortstop for the winners. Mario's Dave Batchelder hit a two-run homer and Rick Waldron lined his career first home run to dead center in support of pitcher Jerod Colley's fine effort. Outfield defense continued to shine for Mario's as Jerry Breen, Murph McKeon and Brian Collamore all made difficult catches to keep the game close.

Shortcut Landscaping 10 - Drew Farms 7

Shortcut Landscaping improved to 11-8 with a 10-7 win over league rival Drew Farms. Both of these teams have been switching places in the standings all year long. This win gives SCL the regular-season edge with two wins and one loss against Drew Farms.

Pro Sports Therapy 15 - Gutcheck 14

In the late game on Friday night, Pro Sports Therapy jumped out to a big lead and then hung on by the skin of their teeth to take a 15-14 win in the first game of the two teams’ home-and-home series this weekend. PST exploded for five runs in the third and six more in the fourth to go up 15-3. The Gutcheck offense then took over, scoring six of their own in the top of the fifth and four more in the sixth inning, to make it a 15-13 game. After shutting down the PST offense in the bottom of the sixth, Gutcheck rallied in the top of the seventh. The PST middle infield turned a 6-4-3 double play to temporarily slow the rally, but Gutcheck continued to press, putting runners on first and second with Thanh Nguyen (one of the league’s best hitters) at the plate. Nguyen, who had already hit a grand slam in the game, promptly hit a rope to left field, beating the diving attempt of PST outfielder Ben Armstrong, and scoring the runner from second. But outfielder Mark Urlage backed up the play and threw a strike to shortstop John Bodi, who then gunned down the runner trying to go from first to third to end the game. PST got multiple offensive contributions from up and down the lineup. Urlage was 4-for-4, Bodi was 3-for-4 and scored three runs, Armstrong scored three runs and drove in three more, and Andrew Fletcher was 3-for-3 with 3 RBI.

Pro Sports Therapy 12 - Gutcheck 9

Pro Sports Therapy and Gutcheck played another close one Sunday night with PST prevailing, 12-9. Winning pitcher Jeff Fuller got some timely defense, including a 6-4-3 double play to squelch a Gutcheck rally and a diving catch in the outfield by Mark Urlage with the bases loaded that prevented several runs. PST’s offense got contributions up and down the line-up, led by Jerry Cressman’s three-run homer and Derek Donegan’s three hit game.

Mario’s Restaurant 4 - Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 3 (8 innings)

The players on Mario’s Restaurant showed a lot of heart and determination as they upset the Mustangs, 4-3, and handed them their first loss of the season. The game ended in the eighth inning on a single to right that scored the tying run, and then, on the same play, the winning run crossed the plate when the usually sure-handed Mustangs were unable to effectively execute an outfield-to-infield relay.

Floral Arts 17 - Drew Farms 4

Simon Tripp hit a two-run blast in the sixth inning to give Floral Arts the 13-run lead and the victory. Larry Mardany allowed four runs in the first inning and then scattered only three more hits in the rest of the game. Floral played excellent defense, including turning a 4-6-3 double play, started by Ken Delaney, who fielded a hard hit ball to second, shuffled it off to shortstop Jim Peloquin (who was 3-for-3, 2 HRs, triple, 5 RBI), who then threw a laser to first baseman Mark Chambers. Peloquin later made a circus play in the hole at short that required him to throw off of one foot. Tom Semeter fielded the throw on a hop to get the runner by a whisker. Rob Beaudette hit two solo shots, and Mike Alonardo hit two home runs and knocked in three. Catcher Billy Luppold led off the fourth inning with a double that one-hopped the right field fence.

This could be the season. After an informal inquiry that included sending league secretary John Bodi to research the e-files, it appears that there is no record of any team in the Westford Over 30 Men’s Softball League, which began in the ‘70s, finishing the regular season with a perfect record. Right now, the first-place Mustangs are 15-0, and after Friday night’s convincing 31-3 win over Healy Oil, they appear on a mission to reach that hallowed 24-0 mark. What’s more, currently only two of the teams the Mustangs will face in their final nine games possess a winning percentage above .500. Mustangs will face second place Floral Arts (14-3) and third place Shortcut Landscaping (9-8) one time each, fourth place Willis Tent (6-10) twice, fifth place Pro Sports Therapy (5-10) once, eighth place Gutcheck (4-10) twice, and last place Mario’s Restaurant (5-12) twice.

Willis Tent 7 - Mario’s Restaurant 6

On Sunday, Willis’ Steve Damiani drove in the tying run to start the eighth inning and then ran from first to home on the next hit to give Willis Tent the extra-inning 7-6 victory over Mario’s Restaurant. Dennis Kane (2-for-3), John Hunter (2-for-3, including a double in the eighth), and Brian Anderson (2 hits) led Willis on offense. Bob Fleury was outstanding on the mound and Damiani made several run-saving catches in left field.

Healy Oil 16 - Drew Farms 1

On Wednesday, Healy Oil run-ruled Drew Farms in five innings. Healy’s Tony Pantoja went deep twice and Chris Ricard had one home run. Tom Hudson pitched well and Mike Martin kept the runners pinned down at first base. Shortcut Landscaping 9, Willis Tent 8 Short Curt beat Willis, 9-8, in a back and forth game. Willis led 8-6 until the top of the seventh when Shortcuts got two runners on and then Brett Durham hit a three-run homer to secure the win. Chris Smith and Rich Acabbo were instrumental on defense in the win. Jason Humphrey and Chris Clark also homered for Shortcut. Willis’ Dennis Kane (2-for-3 ) hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning. Other Willis standouts were Kevin Adolph (2-for-3) and George Haines, who reached base twice. Willis shortstop Kane started two double plays and Bob Fleury pitched another strong game.

Floral Arts 10 - Gutcheck 8

On Friday night, Jim Peloquin (3-for-3, 2 HRs, 4 RBI) offensive heroics gave Floral the edge it needed to beat a scrappy Gutcheck team, 10-8. Billy Luppold (2-for-3) legged out a double to start the fifth-inning rally that saw Floral score five runs. Dave Janowsky made a fantastic sixth inning running catch in left field to keep Gutcheck from mounting a comeback. Jim Curley hit two home runs for Gutcheck and made a nice sweeping tag at first to make an out.

Pro Sports Therapy 15 - Mario’s Restaurant 1

Pro Sports Therapy’s ace Dave Chirokas earned his first win of the season, spinning a gem against Mario’s Restaurant. Mark Urlage, who was on base all night, led off with a double and then was driven in immediately by two-hitter John Bodi to spark a five run outburst in the first. PST never looked back, playing solid defense as they stayed on an offensive roll adding runs in every inning to earn the run rule victory after five. Nate Frazee (2-for-2, HR, 3 RBI) had another big night. PST had seven players with multi-hit games and 12 different players scored at least one run, as contributions came from up and down the lineup.

Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 31 - Healy Oil 3

Don Cusano got the win on the mound and had four hits, including a grand slam. Mike Kennedy went 5-for-5 with 6 RBI and three runs scored. Jack Erickson and Mark Cusano added four hits apiece. Bill Knute had three hits, including a home run, and threw out another base runner from left field for the winners. Jim Ward and Dave Barnes each had three hits in the game.