The following was submitted by the Westford Over-30 Softball League. To submit your own content, e-mail asylvia@westfordcat.org
The undefeated Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs (16-0) won twice this week and has all but clinched a first-round playoff bye. Floral Arts (13-4) won twice this week, but lost to the Mustangs, and has a 3.5 game lead on both Willis Tent (9-7) and Shortcut Landscaping (9-7). These three teams will likely be sparring the rest of the season with the aim to gain that coveted last playoff bye. GutCheck (7-8) beat Drew Farms (7-9) to move into fifth place. Drews now sits in the sixth place, 2.5 games ahead of Pre Sports Therapy (4-11).
Shortcut Landscaping 26 – Pro Sports Therapy 6
On Sunday night, the SCL big bats exploded for 17 runs in the second inning to put away PST early, winning by run rule, 26-6. PST did have a few bright spots offensively, as Tom Rose continued to be a force with a 3-for-3 night that included a grand slam and five of the six PST RBI. Jeff Morse also contributed a 3-for-3 night and Mark Urlage went 3-for-4 with a homer. Dave Silton hit the only SCL home run, though everyone else in the SCL lineup contributed with base hits.
Mustangs 11 – Burtons 4
On Tuesday night, Don Cusano led the NVVM offense, going 4-for-4 with two homers, 5 RBI and 3 runs scored. Lefties Jack Erickson and Mark Cusano also homered for the Mustangs. Paul Selfrige and Jim Ward both chipped in with three hits from their top two spots in the order. Jay Dolan added two hits, while Paul Ligouri held Burton’s in check to get the win on the mound. Burtons Grill’s Jon Russo, Kieran Murray, Greg Fitzgerald and Murph McKeon each had two hits.
Floral Arts 17 – Drew Farms 7
Floral overcame a slow start to beat a resilient Drew Farms, 17-7. Roger Whittlesey had the key hit in the game—a ringing two out, two run double that gave Floral needed separation. Jim Peloquin, Geoff Pavao, Rob Beaudette, and Simon Tripp homered for Floral, while Pat Pawlik and Todd Shephard went back to back for Drews. Larry Mardany overcame a rocky first inning on the mound to secure the win.
Mustangs 21 – Floral Arts 8
On Wednesday, Paul Selfrige set the tone early from the top of the NVVM batting order with four hits, including two doubles, a grand slam, six RBI and four runs scored. While Bill Knute’s streak of reaching base in 22 straight plate appearances came to an end, he more than made up for it with two home run blasts, including a grand slam, five RBI and two runs scored. Don Cusano got the win on the mound and added two hits, including a deep home run to aid his cause. Other home run hitters for the Mustangs were Jay Lincoln, Jack Erickson (3 RBI), and Mike Kennedy. Dan Crogan chipped in with three hits, including a double, three runs scored and an RBI. Crogan and Selfrige turned two infield double plays to end potential big innings for Floral Arts.
Burtons Grill 17 – Healy Oil 16
For the second time in three games Burtons Grill spotted its opponent an early eight-run lead before slugging its way back to an eventual one run victory margin, this time over Healy Oil. Brian Collamore set the table by going 4-for-4 with three runs scored batting ahead of Luke Boulanger, who had a bases clearing double, finishing with three hits and four RBI. Peter Morano, Dave Batchelder and Jerry Breen all contributed three hits apiece and Jon Russo added a solo home run. Outfielder Tim Scott gunned down a Healy runner at second to keep Burtons within reach. Brian Haley’s sac fly scored the winning run as Rick Waldron slid across the plate ahead of Healy’s relay throw. Healy’s Brian Herrmann, Dave O’Keefe and Mike Martin homered. O’Keefe had a three-run shot in the top of the seventh.
Floral Arts 12 – Shortcut Landscaping 10 (8 innings)
Floral Arts overcame a 5-1 deficit in the early innings to force extra innings, and ultimately beating SCL, 12-10 in the eighth inning. Mike Alonardo (2), Geoff Pavao, and Mark Chambers hit homers in the game. SCL’s Jason Humphrey (2) and Rob Prendergast each hit homers.
Pro Sports Therapy 7 – Willis Tent 4
Larry Zupkosky pitched a gem, keeping a potent Willis lineup to four runs. Zupkosky was supported by a couple of important defensive plays, including turning a double play. The PST offense had contributions up and down the lineup, the biggest being Andrew Fletcher’s 2 RBI single to open the scoring in the first and Zupkosky’s huge RBI single off the fence in the fourth. Willis pitcher Bob Fleury put in a worthy effort from the mound and at the plate. Fleury went 2-for-2,  Rob Swinamer 2-for-3 and Steve Damiani hit a home run.
GutCheck 14 – Drews 11
GutCheck knocked off their league rivals in a close match that ended with w 14-11 score. GutCheck’s Matt Sepe hit two 3-run shots and Thanh Nguyen and Jeff Stabach both went 4-for-5.
