Mustangs

With a 14-7 win on Friday night, Floral Arts captured the 2012 championship.  This is the second year in a row that Floral Arts has captured the title from the Mustangs in the fifth and deciding game of the series.  

Game One: Floral Arts 16 - Mustangs 9

Floral Arts scored 7 in the first, including back-to-back home runs to start the game, and never looked back. The Floral Arts outfield turned in two momentum-shifting defensive plays: Roger Whittlesey threw out a runner attempting to tag on a long fly out to left, and Greg Marchand made a sliding play in short left center field and doubled off the runner caught in no man's land. Mike Alonardo, Jonathan Morgan (2), Jon Haslam (2) and Jim Peloquin all homered for Floral Arts. Don Cusano and Bill Knute (2) hit the long ball for Mustangs.

Game Two: Floral Arts 14 - Mustangs 6

Mike Alonardo was 3-for-3 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI, and pitcher Larry Mardany did the rest, holding the Mustangs powerful offense to just 6 runs. Roger Whittlesey, John Haslam, Greg Marchand, and Tom Semeter had multiple hit games for Floral, while Don Cusano and Bill Knute homered for Mustangs. Defensive standouts included Jim Peloquin, John Haslam, and Greg Marchand for Floral, and Mike Kennedy for Mustangs.

Game Three: Mustangs 13 - Floral Arts 8

The Mustangs made easy work of Floral Arts in Game Three and stave off elimination thanks to the potent bats of Bill Knute and Donnie Cusano and strong defensive play by the regular season champs.

Game Four: Mustangs 18 - Floral Arts 16

The Mustangs scored early and often, building an 11-1 lead by the top of the second inning; however, Floral Arts continued to chip away at the lead, and eventually pulled ahead in the bottom of the sixth inning by a score of 16-15, and were only three outs away from winning the championship. But the Mustangs responded by getting two straight hits in the seventh, before pitcher Donnie Cusano hit a bomb to pull his team into the lead. Floral Arts did not score in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Game Five: Floral Arts 14 - Mustangs 7

On Friday night, Floral Arts and the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Hospital Mustangs were notched at two games apiece when the fifth game of the best-of-five championship series began. This was the fourth straight meeting in the playoff finals for these two teams, and the second year in a row that it culminated in a fifth game. In the top of the first, Floral Arts got singles from Mike Alonardo (who batted .950 in the playoffs) and Jonathan Morgan before shortstop Jim Peloquin swatted a three-run home run. But the Mustangs responded by scoring five runs in the bottom of the first, and it seemed it would be another one of the back-and-forth battles the two teams were used to playing. In the bottom of the second, the Mustangs began to apply more offensive pressure, but a fine 6-4-3 double play (Peloquin to Tom Lester to Tom Semeter) squelched their rally. Floral Arts scored in the all innings but the third and fourth inning. In the top of the seventh Floral Arts scored four runs to go up 14-6. Hot-hitting right fielder Jon Haslam hit his fifth home run of the playoffs, a two-run shot to centerfield. Mike Spanos, owner of Floral Arts, also hit a home run, his second of the series. Floral Arts pitcher Larry Mardany was masterful on the mound, keeping the powerful Mustangs from hitting any home runs in the game. Mardany only allowed two runs after the first inning. Down 14-6, the Mustangs continued fighting in the bottom of the seventh. Paul Selfredge, the Mustangs’ shortstop, hit a liner off of the top of the double fence in left for a double. Jack Erickson singled and scored Selfredge to make the score 14-7. But Mardany got the next batter to ground into a double play before the final batter of the game hit a fly ball that right fielder Haslam tracked down.

With an 18-16 win on Wednesday night, the Mustangs avoided elimination for the second night in a row to force a one game, winner take all Game 5.

The game that will determine this year's champ will be played Friday night at 7 PM.

Defending champions Floral Arts have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five final round series of the playoffs. Floral Arts defeated the Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs, 16-9, on Friday and then, 14-6, on Sunday.

Floral Arts 16 - Mustangs 9

In the first game, Floral Arts scored 7 in the first, including back-to-back home runs to start the game, and then never looked back. The Floral Arts outfield turned in two momentum shifting defensive plays: Roger Whittlesey threw out a runner attempting to tag on a long fly out to left, and Greg Marchand made a sliding play in short left center field and doubled off the runner caught in no man's land. Mike Alonardo, Jonathan Morgan (2), Jon Haslam (2) and Jim Peloquin all homered for Floral Arts. Don Cusano and Bill Knute (2) hit the long ball for Mustangs.

Floral Arts 14 - Mustangs 6

In game two, Mike Alonardo was 3-for-3 with 3 home runs and 7 RBI, and pitcher Larry Mardany did the rest, holding the Mustangs potent offense to just 6 runs. Roger Whittlesey, John Haslam, Greg Marchand, and Tom Semeter had multiple hit games for Floral Arts, while Don Cusano and Bill Knute homered for Mustangs. Defensive standouts included Jim Peloquin, John Haslam, and Greg Marchand for Floral Arts, and Mike Kennedy for Mustangs.

Semi-Final Round of the Playoffs:  Floral Arts defeated Mario's Restaurant in three straight games, and Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs defeated Willis Tent in three straight to earn trip to the finals.

Mustangs 7 - Willis 5

Mustangs closed out the series clinching third game rain-soaked victory over Willis Tent, 7-5. Bill Knute's two run homer in the bottom of the 6th inning gave the Mustangs the lead that they would not relinquish. Jim Ward (3-for-3, run scored, 3 RBI) and Jay Dolan (2-for-3, 2 runs scored) set the table at the top of the Mustangs’ order. Jay Lincoln also chipped in with two hits for the winners. Jim Ward, Mark Cusano, and Mike Kennedy led the solid Mustang defense. Rob Swinamer hit a long home run for Willis Tent. Ironically, during the rainy post-game festivities, the Mustangs stayed dry under three tents, while Willis Tent did not pitch one.

Floral Arts 30 - Mario's Restaurant 12

Floral got contributions from up and down the lineup including a 4-for-4 performance out of the leadoff position from Roger Whittlesey en route to a 30-run night. Jim Peloquin, Greg Marchand, Simon Tripp (2), and Tom Semeter (2 including a grand slam) all hit homers for Floral. Larry Mardany took a shutout into the 5th before Mario's exploded for 8 runs, including a pair of two-run home runs. Tony DeAntonis tacked on another 2-run shot in Mario's 4-run 6th inning to get to the final margin of victory. Ron Paulaskas, John Haslam, and Billy Luppold chipped in with other key hits for the winners.

The defending champs have taken a commanding 2 games to none lead in the final round of the playoffs.  Floral Arts defeated the Mustangs 16-9 on Friday and then 14-6 on Sunday.

In the first game, Floral Arts scored 7 in the first, including back to back home runs to start the game, and never looked back. The Floral outfield turned in two momentum shifting defensive plays - - Roger Whittlesey threw out a runner attempting to tag on a long fly out to left, and Greg Marchand made a sliding play in short left center field and doubled off the runner caught in no man's land. Mike Alonardo, Jonathan Morgan (2), Jon Haslam (2) and Jim Peloquin all homered for Floral. Don Cusano and Bill Knute(2) hit the long ball for Mustangs. 

In game two, Mike Alonardo was 3-3 with 3 HR and 7 RBI, and Larry Mardany did the rest, holding the Mustangs potent offense to just 6 runs. Roger Whittlesey, John Haslam, Greg Marchand, and Tom Semeter had multiple hit games for Floral, while Don Cusano and Bill Knute homered for Mustangs. Defensive standouts included Jim Peloquin, John Haslam, and Greg Marchand for Floral, and Mike Kennedy for Mustangs. 

The series continues on Tuesday, when the regular season champs attempt to extend the series.  Game time is 7 PM.

Regular Season:  Mustangs (21 Wins - 3 Losses)

Play Off Champions:  After a bye in the Opening Round, Floral Arts Defeated Mario's Restaurant (3 Games to 0) and the Mustangs (3 Games to 2).