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The Second Round of the Playoffs
In the end, Shortcut Landscaping could not defend against the relentless Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs attack, losing to the reigning champs in the semifinal round three games to one.
Meanwhile, Willis Tent and Floral Arts find themselves tied, 2-2, in the best-of-five semifinal series. The winner will play the Mustangs in the final round, also a best-of-five scenario.
Tuesday, September 1
Floral Arts 23 – Willis Tent 9
Floral Arts scored 16 runs in the first inning and then seven more in the second inning to go up 19-3. Willis’ Rob Swinamer accounted for the first three Willis runs with a solo shot and a two-run homer. Floral’s Roger Whittlesey, Mark Chambers, Simon Tripp, and Jim Peloquin homered in the game. Willis made an attempt at a comeback but fell short in the bottom of the seventh, scoring six runs, including a home run by Brian Gallardo. Willis’ Rick Devanna went 2-for-3 with a double and a single.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 14 – Shortcut Landscaping 11
Jack Erickson’s walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning completed the Mustang comeback from seven runs down in the last two innings of the pivotal game three, giving the Mustangs a 2-1 series lead. Erickson (3-for-4, GS, 6 RBI), was assisted offensively by Bill Knute (3-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 3 RS), Don Cusano (2-for-2, HR, 2 BB, 4 RS), and Cormac Bordes (solo HR). Mike Kennedy played outstanding defense at third base, while Knute ran down everything hit his way in left field.
Wednesday, September 3
Willis Tent 14 – Floral Arts 12
It was do-or-die for Willis Tent, a team that entered the game with confidence and then executed throughout the game on offense and defense, thwarting Floral’s sixth-inning comeback attempt, and then adding to the lead in the following at-bat. The win tied Willis and Floral at two wins apiece. Willis’ Brian Gallardo had a big game for the men in green, knocking in six and swatting two homers, including a late-game grand slam. Kevin Adolph was 3-for-4, Dennis Kane was 2-for-3 with a homer and 2 RBI, and Andrew Metters, Jeff Briggs, Keith Wauters, and Steve Damiani each went 2-for-3. Floral’s Ken Delaney hit two homers, and Simon Tripp made several outstanding running catches in right field.
Nashoba Valley Veterinarian Mustangs 18 – Shortcut Landscaping 8
The Mustangs clinched the hard-fought series, 3-1, over a much-improved Shortcut squad. Don Cusano (3-for-3, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 4 RS) led both on the mound and at bat. Jack Erickson (4-for-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 RS), Bill Knute (3-for-4, HR, 1 RBI, 3 RS), and Paul Selfrige (2H, HR, 2 RBI, 2 RS) were the other offensive standouts of the game. Mark Cusano and Dan Crogan were solid on the right side of the infield, while catcher Jay Dolan made the play of the game in the last inning, backing up first base and catching an over-thrown ball before tagging out the runner as he headed for second base
