Announcement
A surging PST team beat Burtons this week and jumped into a relatively comfortable fifth place knocking Burtons down into the sixth position and fighting for their playoff lives with a Drew's team only one game behind. Both Burtons and Drews need to have a solid finish, highlighted by a game versus each other during this final run. Second, third and fourth place are all still up for grabs with the winner earning a first round bye along with the Mustangs.
Floral Arts 22 - Willis Tent 11
Floral Arts defeated Willis Tent on Sunday evening, 22-11. Jeff Moore, who has been smashing the ball in the second half, hit two home runs and knocked in five for Floral Arts. Ken Delaney, Ryan Dunn, Mike Donaruma, Mark Chambers, and Rob Beaudette also hit home runs for the winners. Pitcher Larry Mardany kept the powerful Willis bats in the park until the sixth inning when Dennis Kane homered. Rob Swinamer went 4-4 (with four singles) and Keith Wauters, 3-4, (three singles) for Willis in the loss.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 29 - Floral Arts 16
Floral jumped out to a quick 9-4 advantage, blasting four home runs through the first two innings, but the Mustangs came storming back with a ten run third inning and a 12 run fifth inning to pull away. Paul Selfrige and Jim Ward set the tone at the top of the Mustang order as they usually do by reaching base in all 12 of their plate appearances and scoring 9 runs combined. Selfrige had six hits, including two bases loaded, bases clearing three-run doubles. Bill Knute had a key grand slam (after Don Cusano was walked with the bases loaded) and a three run home run, and made a great running catch at the foul line in left field for the winners. Mike Kennedy and Mark Cusano also added home run blasts for the Mustangs, while Dan Crogan (three runs scored and two RBI), Craig Smith and Cormac Bordes all chipped in with three hits apiece. Crogan also snagged a scorching line drive at second base to aide the Mustang defense and to end a potential big inning for Floral.
Willis Tent 16 - Healy Oil 2
With a combination of a stellar pitching performance by Willis Pitcher Bob Fluery and solid defense, Willis was able to hold Healy to just two total runs. This game saw eight out of the 12 Willis players putting in a 2 - 3 night. In addition, Willis reached the seven home run maximum, taking a 5th inning run-rule win over Healys 16-2. Contributing to the win with single home runs were Rick Devanna, Brian Gallardo, Jeff Briggs, Roger Neild, and Glen Harding. Also, John Mangiaratti had two home runs on the night. Healy could only muster 2 hits as the bats were silent. Wayne Meadows pitched well and hit a two run shot over right in the 4th.
Short Cuts Landscaping 15 - Burtons Grill 13
Burton's Grill nearly pulled out an important win versus a very good Short Cuts team losing by just two, 15-13. Burton's fell behind as Short Cuts used all seven of their allowed home runs including several during an eight run inning. Burton's fought back, tightened up the defense, and were behind by six coming into the bottom of the seventh inning. Burton's offensive contributors included lead off standout Tim Scott, 3-4 with a double and three runs scored, Private Eric Cataline, 3-3, double, sac fly and three runs scored, Charlie, "Ivan Putski" Chungo 2-3, a double, grand slam and six RBI. Brian Haley, 2-3 and two runs scored and John "single eye" Geary 2-4 and two RBI. Down six in the last inning, Chungo hit the light pole with the bases loaded and brought Burtons to within two with two outs. Unfortunately, this author let the boys down grounding out weakly to second and ending the comeback. Dave Batchelder went 2-2 and other fine Burton's efforts were put in by Greg Fitzgerald, Peter Morano, Mike Jerzlyo and Jason Lenicheck. On an outstanding defensive note, Charlie Chungo took a throw from Raghu Mantena and pitched a tailing laser beam over the shoulder of the runner to a waiting Fitzgerald at third to get the runner.
Pro Sports Therapy 17 - Drew Farms 14
In a battle of two teams trying to get the last play-off slot, PST jumped out to a 8-2 lead after three and then put up six more runs in the fourth to go up 14-5. Drew’s fought to make it a game, but a six run rally in the bottom of the seventh came up just short. For PST, Donald Slate’s three-run home run in the first started PST off on the right track (part of a 3-4, five RBI night for the rookie). In the third, Steve Sawyer (2-4, three RBI) and Ryan Slate (4-4, two RBI) hit back-to-back home runs. Also having big nights for PST were Ben Armstrong (3-4) and Andrew Fletcher (3-4). Dave Chirokas got the win on the mound and contributed two hits. Drews had an off night defensively but saw offensive contributions from Jason Gothwaite, 3-3 including a home run and a double, Kurt Camblin, 2-2 and two home runs, Tom Menici 2-3, and Middle Schools Rec Basketball coaching champ Todd Shepherd 2-3 with a home run and a double.
Floral Arts 18 - Short Cuts Landscaping 14
Floral arts beat Shortcut Landscaping on Friday night, 18-14. Simon Tripp and Ryan Dunn each homered twice for Floral, Frank Lancelotta and Rob Beaudette also homered. The big hit of the night came in the top of the seventh, with Floral down by one, when Mike Donaruma smacked a go-ahead three-run shot over the left field fence.
Drew Farms 18 - Healy Oil 12
At a time in the season when every win is needed, Drew Farms outlasted Healy Oil 18-12. In a game that didn't end until 10 PM on Friday night, Drew Farms gained an offensive push from several players. Mark Kost 3-4, Tom Millante, 2-4, Mark McAleese, 3-4, Scott Cole 2-4, and Todd Shepherd 2-4 with a home run and a double. Sal Bonacoure went 2-4 and Alex Lachook pitched well for the winners as they had to finish the last four innings with only nine in the field. Healy gave up 11 in one inning, but kept Drews at bay for 6 out of 7 innings. Tom Hudson returned to the mound and pitched a solid game for Healy. Matt Dowling added two solo shots over center field as well as providing great defense in left field including throwing out a Drew's runner at 2nd on a one hop single to left. Glenn Robinson went 4-4 at the plate as well for Healy.
Pro Sports Therapy 22 - Burtons Grill 7
In a game that didn't see its first pitch until 10 PM, PST played one of their best games in years in a battle for playoff positioning with Burton’s Grill, taking a run rule win 22-7 in five Innings. Burton’s jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead, hitting everything in sight (three batters, three runs). PST came right back with seven- big blows including Burton's killer Jerry Cressman’s three-run home run (3-4 with two home runs and five RBI) and Ryan Steele’s two-run blast (2-2 with five RBI). PST settled down on defense and limited the potent Burton’s offense to just two more runs and continued to pile on the crooked numbers, highlighted by three in the second after the first two were set down- a rally that was sparked by an infield hit by John Bodi (4-4 with three runs scored) followed by eight in the third led by a Ben Armstrong home run (2-3 with three RBI), Donald Slate’s triple (3-4 with two doubles, a triple, and three runs scored) and Governor Al Nudler’s two RBI single. Also having big nights for PST were Dave Chirokas (3-3 with a double and two RBI) and Derek Donegan (3-3 with three runs scored). Burton's strong first inning start was quickly stalled but contributing to the seven run total were Tim Scott 2-3 and two runs scored, Charlie Chungo two-run dinger, Eric Cataline, now a sergeant, 2-2, double, triple and 3 RBI, Jason Lenicheck 2-2 and two runs scored and dog-watcher Murph McKeon 1-2, including a double and run scored. Chris Brooks came in from the bullpen and pitched well in the final two innings for Burtons.
