smartfish

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.