The following is an update from the Westford Over-30 Men’s Softball League. To submit your own content, e-mail asylvia@westfordcat.org
The Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs remain undefeated at 4-0 having scored 68 runs while allowing only 19. Willis Tent is having a strong early season with only a single loss and a league leading 85 runs scored. CSA Graphics and Pro Sports Therapy have notched their first wins while Healy Oil is still looking for a victory.
Burtons 8 – Healy 7
Healy, having to play with only eight in the field, put up a good fight and led by four early in the contest. Both Burtons and Healy were missing some of their bigger hitters which proved scoring runs more challenging. Matt Dowling continued to shine for Healy with two home runs and Healy tied the game in the top of the seventh getting a run across with two outs. However, Burtons came back in the bottom of the same inning with a walk-off single by Raghu Mantana giving Burton their third win in a row. Strong pitching by Chris Brooks in his first showing of the season led the Burton’s win.
Floral Arts 18 – PST 3
Floral Arts’ relentless offensive attack and nearly flawless defense were key in defeating Pro Sports Therapy on Tuesday night, winning in five innings, 18-3. Simon Tripp hit a solo shot for Floral, and Geoff Pavao and Rob Beaudette hit three run and two run homers respectively. Larry Mardany was 3-for-3 with two RBI and pitched well.
Willis Tent 14 – Short Cuts Landscaping 9
Short Cuts scored early with three runs in the first but Willis scored often coming up with five runs in the second inning, added three more in the third, and soon another six. Short Cuts slowly picked away at the Willis Lead but Willis pitching backed up by a solid defense held, allowing Willis to defeat Short Cuts 14 – 9. Pitching for Willis Tent was Bob Fluery. Other notable contributions to the Willis win were Andrew Metters going 4 – 4 with two singles and two home runs, Stephen Damiani going 3 – 3 with two singles and a double and John Mangiaratti going 3 – 4 with three singles.
Willis Tent 16 – Burtons Grill 7
Burtons opened with a three run first inning led by yet another home run by Texas native and pulled-pork cooking champion Jerod Colley. Unfortunately, Willis took advantage of some Burton miscues in the bottom of the first with eight runs of their own and never looked back. Raghu Mantena had two nice hits for Burtons to continue his streak as did Luke Boulanger. Willis hit four home runs and continued to show why they are one of the teams to be feared in the 2016 season. Willis pitcher, Rob Swinamer was skillful from the mound, holding Burtons to only seven runs. Willis’s Dennis Kane hit two home Runs, Jeff Briggs and Stephen Damiani each contributed to the effort with home runs of their own.
Short Cuts Landscaping 29 – CSA Graphics 2
Short cuts jumped out to a 18 to 0 lead after two innings, scoring eleven in the second, and never looked back. Seven home runs by short cuts. three by Mike gross. one each for Donny “White Shoes” Morash, Jason Humphrey , Dave Sullivan and Steve Jacobsmeirer. Chris smith and Bill Dorerty held CSA to two runs. CSA Graphics could manage no offense, with only three total hits in the run-rule shortened game. Bill Ryan went 2 for 2, and Matt Sep had the lone home run for CSA.
Nashoba Valley Veterinary Mustangs 11 – Pro Sports Therapy 7
The undefeated Mustangs are…..well, still undefeated. While PST put up a good fight, and lasting all seven innings versus the Mustangs should be worth something, the Mustangs held them off for a close 11-7 win. Mustangs hit “only” four home runs, Bill Knute had three of them. all bombs and four RBIs. Paul Liguori got the win on the mound and made several outstanding defensive plays at pitcher to help himself. Paul Selfrige and Jack Erickson added two hits apiece, while rookie Scott Lawrence made a nice running catch in right field. Don Cusano added a long two run blast for the winners. PST Ben Armstrong led the offense again, going 3-3 and scoring two of the runs from the lead off position. Derek Donegan also chipped in with a 2-2 night with two RBIs.
Floral Arts 28 – Willis Tent 24
Floral Arts won its third game in a row, defeating the powerful Willis Tent, 28-24, in a very long game. Larry Mardany (3-for-6, six RBI, two three-run homers), Roger Whittlesey (5-for-6, HR, four runs scored, two RBI), Simon Tripp (4-for-6, grand slam), Rob Beaudette (5-for-6, home run, four RBI), Billy Luppold (3-for-5, two RBI), Ryan Dunn (3-for-6, home run, RBI) and Tom “Tank” Lester (5-for-5, two RBI) performed well for Floral at the plate. Willis Tent hit eight home runs, one of which was downgraded to a single because it was one above the league maximum. There were two inning when Floral needed only a couple of runs to end the game via the run rule, but Willis kept fighting back. This game could only be described as a classic slugfest with a total of 52 runs scored between both teams And having both teams exhaust the home run rule hitting by total of over 14 home runs on the evening. Notable Willis Tent contributions were Brian Gallardo going 4 for 4 with three singles and a home run, Andrew Metters going 3 for 4 with a single and two home runs (note, the Metters single was actually an “over the limit” home run), Kevin Adolph 3 for 4 with a single, a double and a home run, Dennis Kane 3 for 4 with two singles and a home run, Jeff Briggs 3 for 4 with two singles and a home run and Glenn Harding 3 for 4 with two singles and a home run.
CSA Graphics 14 – Healy Oil 13
A great see-saw battle between CSA and Healy. An early lead was taken by Healy, but CSA scored six runs in the third inning, helped by a three-run home run from Bill Ryan, who ended the game going 3 for 4 with four RBI. After a few more lead changes, the game was tied in the top of the 7th, where Healy had bases loaded and one out. CSA pitcher Bill Cullen had a sharp line drive bounce off his glove, but he lunged to his right, making the bobble catch and doubled-up the Healy runner at third to end the inning. CSA wasted no time in the bottom half of the frame. Ryan Nolet (who was 3 for 4 on the night) singled, Tim Piwowar followed with a single, and Tim Greenwood drove in the game-winning run. Derek MacDermott and Mike Cioffi, each playing in their first game of the year had two hits and two RBI a piece. Jim DeMarco went 3 for 4 with a HR, triple, and four RBI.
A great see-saw battle between CSA and Healy. An early lead was taken by Healy, but CSA scored six runs in the third inning, helped by a three-run home run from Bill Ryan, who ended the game going 3 for 4 with four RBI. After a few more lead changes, the game was tied in the top of the 7th, where Healy had bases loaded and one out. CSA pitcher Bill Cullen had a sharp line drive bounce off his glove, but he lunged to his right, making the bobble catch and doubled-up the Healy runner at third to end the inning. CSA wasted no time in the bottom half of the frame. Ryan Nolet (who was 3 for 4 on the night) singled, Tim Piwowar followed with a single, and Tim Greenwood drove in the game-winning run. Derek MacDermott and Mike Cioffi, each playing in their first game of the year had two hits and two RBI a piece. Jim DeMarco went 3 for 4 with a HR, triple, and four RBI.
