Mustangs

Having a bye is often a way to cool off a hot team.  Especially when the opponents have a chance to get hot themselves.  However the bye proved no obstacle for both the Mustangs and Floral Arts, as they both won their openers with games that were stopped early due to the enforcement of the Run Rule.

In the first game of the night, the defending champion Mustangs beat Willis Tent 13-0.  Willis came in off of two thrilling one victories over PST to earn the right to challenge the champs, but could not get the offense started against starting pitcher Don Cusano and his defense.   The Mustangs hit 4 consecutive homeruns in the 3rd inning to ignite the offense.   Starting the run was Don Cusano (3-3, 2 homers, 6 rbi's), followed by Bill Knute (2-3, one homerun 2 rbi's), Mark Cusano, and Jack Erickson.   Surehanded shortstop Paul Selfridge also added 2 hits and one homerun for the Mustangs.

Not to be outdone, Floral Arts gave up a lead off HR to SS Chris Smith of SCL, then never looked back, winning 20-3.  Floral Arts answer to Smith's blast was to put up nine runs in the bottom of the first. In the second inning, Shortcuts pushed across two runs on the strength of a Mike Gross HR, but it would be the last time they would score, as pitcher Larry Mardany kept Shortcuts off-balance until the game was ended in the fifth inning. Simon Tripp (2), Frank Lancelotta, Tom Semeter, and Mike Alonardo all hit home runs for Floral Arts.  Roger Whittlesey, Jonathan Morgan, Jim Peloquin, and Jon Haslam also had multiple hit games.

Due to the Hurricane that is threatening the region, the second game of both series will not be held on Sunday.  Instead, Game 2 of each series will be played on Tuesday and Game 3 on Wednesday.  If necessary, Games 4 and 5 will be held after the Labor Day Holiday on Tuesday (9/6) and Wednesday (9/7).

Due to the Hurricane that is causing closings throughout the region, the second round playoff games that were scheduled for Sunday evening have been pushed back to Tuesday.  Game #3 will then be played on Wednesday, with Games #4 and #5 (if necessary) will be played on the Tuesday and Wednesday after the Labor Day Holiday Weekend.  Stay safe everyone!

The higher seeds held serve on the opening night of the play-offs on Tuesday.  In the first game of the night, SCL won convincingly over Drew Farms with a 16-3 victory.  Another Mike Gross bomb caused the run rule to be enforced.

In the nightcap, Willis Tent won a back and forth tilt over PST in the bottom of the seventh, 15-14.  Willis loaded the bases in a tie game with no outs and promptly ended it with a single to the LF fence.

Round One continues on Wednesday night with Willis @ PST starting at 6:30, followed by the SCL-Drews game at 7:45.

The regular season ended this week, but not before several teams battled for playoff seeding. The Mustangs (21-3) and Floral Arts (19-5) both earned a first round bye. Short Cut (15-9) will face Drew Farms (9-15) and Willis (12-12) will play PST (9-15) this week in the best of three playoff series.

Willis Tent 17, PST 7

In what turned out to be a preview match up of the first round of the playoffs, Willis Tent beat up on PST for the second game in three nights on the strength of another pair of Rob Swinamer tape-measure home runs, backed up by a pair of Paul Duarto homers. John Bodi, Tom Rose, and Dave Weaver combined to hit three consecutive home runs for PST, and Matt Dolan (3-3 with a double, triple, and a home run) had a career night. The win for Willis Tent locked them into fourth place.

Mustangs 20, Floral Arts 7

The first-place Mustangs’ balanced offensive attack against three Floral Arts pitchers resulted in a 20-7 win over the second place team. Bill Knute (4-for-4, two home runs, three RBI), winning pitcher Don Cusano (3-for-4, two home runs, four RBI), shortstop Paul Selfridge (three hits, including a home run and three RBI) and Mark Cusano (home run) were offensive stars. Larry Mardany, (2-for-2, double, two runs), Jon Haslam (1-for-2, RBI), Frank Lancelotta (1-for-2, RBI) and Simon Tripp (1-for-1 home run, three RBI, two runs) hit well for Floral Arts.

Drew Farms 13, Mario’s 11

Tom Menicci lead the Drew Farm offense with two home runs. Gary Murphy had one home run. Jason Goldthwaite made a highlight reel walk-off catch in the bottom of the 7th to end the game.

Short Cut 12, Healy Oil 11

Healy Oil's Mike Martin's walk-off base hit won this tight battle in the 7th.

Willis Tent 18, Floral Arts 11

Willis Tent hit seven home runs en route to an 18-11 over Floral Arts. John Mangiaratti homered twice for Willis, which also got four consecutive home runs from Jeff Briggs, Rob Swinamer, John Hunter and Kevin Adolph. Brian Anderson pitched a strong game for Willis, walking only one batter. Floral Arts’ Geoff Pavao (4-for-5, home run, three RBI), Tom Semeter (3-for-3, RBI), Jim Peloquin (2-for-4, two home runs, five RBI) and Simon Tripp (4-for-4, home run, RBI) paced the offense. Peloquin batted .746, hit 25 home runs and knocked 69 RBI this season. Tripp batted .794, hit 20 home runs, and knocked in 58 RBI.

PST 7, Mustangs 5

Mustang Don Cusano hit his 23rd homerun of the season in a tight loss to PST. Both teams pitched and defended well.

With Friday night's results now in, the Playoff matchups have been determined.  The regular season will end on Sunday with a matchup between SCL and Mario's Restaurant.  SCL will then open a three game series against Drew Farms on Tuesday at 6:30.  The other first round matchup between Willis Tent and PST will begin later that night at 7:45.  PST won a tie breaker against Drew Farms for fifth place by virtue of a 2-1 series win during the regular season.

First round byes go to regular season champions the Mustangs, who had a historic season with 21 wins, and Floral Arts, who finished second with a 19-5 record. 

Both series will continue on Wednesday night.  Friday night will either see the third game of one or both series or, if both series end in two games, the opening games of round two.  Check this site on Thursday for up to date results and schedule changes based on series outcomes.