ALIEN TAKEOVER
Cyclones Tournament team goes 3-1 over the weekend, but falls to Aliens in finals

September 8, 2026 - A 3-way tie between the Aliens, Cyclones and Royals came down to Runs Allowed to determine the 2 teams that would make the finals. In the end, the Aliens allowed 18 runs, the Cyclones allowed 19 runs and the Royals allowed 29.  That gave the edge to the Aliens and Cyclones.

With the Aliens the Home Team and the Cyclones playing the part of visitors, the two teams were pretty evenly matched despite the Cyclones holding the age & experience edge. The Aliens drew first blood as they plated 1 run in the bottom half of the first.  But the Cyclones took the lead 3-1 in the top of the 3rd inning but not without some controversy. With the Cyclones leading 2-1 with runners on 2nd & 3rd and Justin Putnal batting with a 3-2 count, the starting pitcher for the Aliens unleashed a wild pitch that walked Justin. However since it was a 3-2 count and 2 outs, the runners were in motion and because of the wild pitch, Andre Vappie, who was the runner on 2nd, motored towards home plate in an attempt to catch the Aliens off guard and score a run. The plan worked and Dre sneaked his hand in on a diving plate at the plate that saw the starting pitcher get ejected after sharing some words of affection with the home plate umpire. THe ejection resulted in a stoppage of play due to an extended argument.

In the bottom half of the 3rd inning, the Aliens roared back with 4 runs of their own to retake the lead of which they would not relinquish. The Cyclones would score runs in each of the next 3 innings, but so would the Aliens and in the end, the Aliens emerged victorious and the 2026 Texas Cup Champions. Congratulations to the Aliens on winnings the 2026 Texas Cup Tournament. We'll see you next year!

Sergio Mendez about to deliver a changeup during the 2026 Texas Cup vs. SE Texas Astros Sept 5, 2026

Guy Koenig hits a line drive vs. SE Texas Astros Sept 5, 2026