Announcement
It took four weeks of play, but now there is only one undefeated team in the Westford Over 30 Softball League. The Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (5-0) won twice this week, including handing Floral Arts (6-1) its first loss of the season. Drew Farms (4-2) also won twice this week to pull into a tie with Shortcut Landscaping (4-2). And Gutcheck (1-4) won its first game of the season.
Healy Oil 15 - Gutcheck 14 On Sunday night, in a back-and-forth affair, Healy Oil defeated Gutcheck, 15-14. Chris Ricard launched a three-run bomb in the top of the seventh to put Healy ahead by one after Gutcheck had taken a two-run lead in the sixth. Defensive keys in the win included Tony Pantoja’s two great stops in the infield and Chuck Santos’ insistence to play in the outfield despite an injury. Thanh Nguyen, Jim Curley, and Billy Cullen all went deep for Gutcheck.
Shortcut Landscaping 2 - Mario’s Restaurant 1 A pitcher’s duel is rarity in slow-pitch softball, but that’s exactly what happened when powerhouse SCL eked out a 2-1 win over Mario’s on Sunday night. Bill Doherty pitched a gem, holding Mario’s to only a run—a solo shot by Murph McKeon on the first pitch of the game. SCL shortstop Jason Humphrey hit an early solo home run and the game stayed tied until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Doherty drove in the winning run with a sharp single. SCL played excellent defense and managed several double plays, including a play when third baseman Brett Durham fielded a ground ball, touched third for one out and then gunned down the runner at home. Mario's rookie Tim Scott made a terrific running catch to preserve the 1-1 tie for pitcher Chris Brooks.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 15 - Floral Arts 9 The last time the Mustangs and Floral Arts played each other was in the fifth game of the 2013 Playoff Finals, a game that the Mustangs won to earn the championship. On Sunday, both teams began the game undefeated, but the reigning champs sent a message loud and clear to Floral Arts, outplaying their league rivals and winning handily, 15-9. Don Cusano smacked three home runs and drove in five. Paul Selfrige, Jack Erickson, Mike Kennedy, and Cormac Bordes also hit home runs for the Mustangs. Bill Knute and Jim Ward played excellent outfield defense.
Drew Farms 15 - Willis Tent 10 An 11-run 2nd inning proved to be the key in Drew Farms’ win over Willis on Tuesday night. Tom Menicci, Todd Shepherd and Pat Pawlak hit home runs as Drews tallied 19 hits in an offensive attack that saw every player earn a hit. Sal Buonacore, Alex Lelchook and others provided solid defense behind pitcher Mark Kost, who made his first appearance of the year. Willis scored in each inning except one.
Gutcheck 12 - Mario’s Restaurant 10 After a few close games, Gutcheck finally put a number in the win column, defeating Mario’s in another close game. Dave Guthrie, Jeff Curley and Thanh Nguyen homered for Gutcheck. Defense was big for Gutcheck as Rey Vienneau had a couple of unassisted double plays.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 12 - Willis Tent 3 On Wednesday, Paul Liguori held Willis to one run over six innings and got the victory on the mound for the Mustangs. Bill Knute (3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) and Jim Ward each had three hits and three runs scored for the winners. Mike Kennedy and Cormac Bordes also added home runs for the Mustangs. Kennedy played great defense at third for the winners.
Drew Farms 24 - Pro Sports Therapy 15 Drew Farms recorded a second straight game with an 11-run inning, all with 2 outs, which was key in this 24-15 victory over PST. Drews started strong, scoring six in the first inning, keyed by a 3-run home run from Todd Shepherd, who hit another 3-run shot in the 5th. Every Drews player had at least two hits, with Mark McAleese leading the way with four, followed by three each from Mark Kost, Todd Shepherd, Pat Pawlak, Rob O’Neal, and Alex Lelchook. The game started with a solid defensive play from Jason Goldthwaite, and all 12 players made significant defensive contributions. PST responded with a 9-run 3rd inning, followed by two each in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings. Nate Frazee (4-for-4, 2 doubles, 3-run HR, 3 RBI, 3 RS) hit a rocket of a home run for PST that landed on the road in right field. Matt Dolan went 3-for-4 with a 3-run HR and a double. Gordon Eddy chipped in with a 3-for-4 effort and 3 RBI.
