Announcement
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.
