Beavers Blow Past Cyclones, End Their Season

Dec 20, 2010 - The Cyclones battled but in the end it was the Blue Beavers day as they handed the Cyclones their second consecutive loss and knocked them out of the playoffs.

Shorthanded Cyclones Take One On The Chin

Dec 13, 2010 - For the first time since the NHWBL went to double elimination, the Cyclones will be playing out of the loser's bracket to try and make it to the Championship Game.  The last two seasons have seen the Cyclones go undefeated into the Championship Game.  But this postseason will be a little different.

Playing shorthanded on Sunday due to work, health and other unknown reasons, the Cyclones faced the Zephyrs for the 3rd time in 5 weeks and for the 3rd time in 5 weeks the Cyclones started manager Dean Cosme on the mound.  The first 2 times the Cyclones lost.  The results were not much different this time either.

The biggest difference this time was the defense.  Because of the missing players, there were several players who were playing out of their natural position besides playing with only 8 players on the field.  Needless to say, the Cyclones were handcuffed.  The final result was the Zephyrs took full advantage of the Cyclones. Final score 12-2.

Cyclones SLAM 51's To Begin Title Quest

Dec 5, 2010 - The last time starting pitcher #34 faced the 51's, he almost strained his neck as he served up 3 homers and allowed 8 runs all while still earning the victory because his Cyclones, although they only hit one HR, were lighting up 51's pitching on the way to a 9-8 victory.

Fast forward 6 weeks and the story lays itself out a little differently this time. #34 once again started and once again the homers started to fly.  But this time it was the Spring Cyclones that were hitting them. #34 was crisp and efficient on Saturday as he sliced and diced his way through the 51's lineup.  #34 allowed only 5 hits and never allowed anyone past second base.

In the other dugout, things were slightly different.  The Cyclones jumped on 51's starter and manager Richard Caldwell, plating 10 runs in the first inning including 2 homers, one of which was a grand slam to Ryan Harris.  Caldwell settled down after the first inning allowing no runs for the next two innings until the wheels finally fell off for good.

In the fourth inning, Jason Phelps led off the inning with a walk and then 8 consecutive singles followed to score 6 more runs extending the lead to 16-0.  In the sixth inning, the 51's finally got on the board after #34 had left the game.  Relief pitcher Justin Keith balked in a run after loading the bases and then on the next pitch struck out the batter to retire the side.

In the bottom of the sixth, Spring Cyclones history was made as Ryan Harris hit his second home run of the game, also a grand slam to cap an 8 run inning and an historic day for Harris and the Cyclones.  Ryan Harris hit 2 grand slams, added another 2 singles, 1 walk, 3 runs scored and 11 RBI.  In manager Dean Cosme's 15 years of managing in the MSBL never had he had a player who put on such a performance at the plate.  Congratulations Ryan!

Bats, Spirits Broken In 6-1 Defeat To Zephyrs

Nov 19, 2010 - Blame the cold weather or blame it on bad bats.  Heck, blame it on the field conditions if you'd like, but the Spring Cyclones had better lose the excuses and focus on the task at hand in the next few weeks.

Thursday night, the Cyclones did everything that the manager has been preaching the last few games - work the count, make the pitcher work, get on base, blah, blah, blah.  The result had been great the last several games.  The Cyclones in their last 16 innings leading up to last night had scored 28 runs, were getting on base like crazy and getting big hits when needed.

But that was then, this is now.  Like mentioned before, they did all the right things.  They worked the count.  They got on base.  They just didn't score.  Instead, they got beat.  In Jason, Zephyrs starting pitcher, they faced a pitcher they had faced before.  They had scored on him before.  But it was his night.  Nothing can be taken away from him.  Jason, despite throwing a lot of pitches and putting a bunch of guys on base, weaved a gem of a pitching performance to lead the Zephyrs to a 6-1 victory over the Cyclones.

Errors played a huge part in the Cyclones loss.  Players that were normally reliable, faltered.  Players with barely any errors all season matched or exceeded their season totals in this one night.  It was not a pretty sight.  The Cyclones for the first time in a long time looked overmatched.  Hopefully, that's out of their systems now.

By the end of the game the Cyclones were spent.  Their will was broken, their bats were broken (5 or 6 broken bats or maybe more, we lost count) and soon, their wallets will be broke too!  Good thing the holidays are coming soon, some players may be asking Santa for some new wood.

Huge Weekend Propels Cyclones

Nov 14, 2010 - The Spring Cyclones had themselves a weekend.  A huge weekend by adult baseball standards.  In a 12 game season, you expect to have wins and losses.  With participation at a steady incline as of late, most teams still do not have pitching depth to withstand multiple games on back to back days.  That's why when you can come away with 2 victories in 2 days AND add another victory on the completion of a suspended game from weeks earlier, it ranks up there as a HUGE weekend.

First, the Cyclones met the Las Vegas 51's (Houston version) for a regular season match up.  Manager and starting pitcher Dean Cosme took the mound and for the most part did not have his best command, walking 4 batters throughout the contest.  By Cosme's standards, 4 walks is a day with a complete lack of command.  Adding 5 hits allowed, Cosme still managed to hold the 51's to only 2 runs scored, only one of which was earned.

Taking advantage of the 51's lack of command as well, the Cyclones offense, led by Justin Keith, jumped on 51's starter Richard Caldwell, tagging him for 12 runs in 3 innings.  Justin Keith reached base safely all 5 plate appearances scoring twice and driving in 2 as well.

Ryan Harris pitched the final inning for the Cyclones as they came away with a 12-2 victory.  Harris stayed in the game as pitcher in the completion of the suspended game from Sept 18.  Down by 7 runs and taking over with runners on 2nd and 3rd, Harris got the Cyclones out of the inning and up to bat to start their comeback.

Down 7 runs, the Cyclones wasted no time getting runners on base, taking full advantage of 51's pitching wildness.  The Cyclones scored 6 consecutive runs before registering an out.  For their seventh run, it came on a controversial call at the plate when Ryan Harris hit a sacrifice fly to score John Akagi. The play at the plate was as close as it gets with John getting his leg across the plate just under a waist high tag by the 51's catcher.  The game was then won on a line-drive base hit by who else?  Justin Keith, who capped off a spectacular day with a game winning hit to complete a game that was started 2 months earlier.

On Sunday, the Cyclones faced the Barons for the 3rd and final time this regular season.  This time though, the Cyclones were a little different than the day before.  Starting the game shorthanded, the Barons jumped on starting pitcher #34 quickly, striking for 3 runs on the top of the 1st inning. #34 settled down as his teammates finally showed up to complete the games roster. 

The Cyclones rallied quickly, also striking for 3 runs in the first inning.  The Barons plated another run in the second inning as did the Cyclones.  It was in the third when the Cyclones finally took the lead and wouldn't let go.  In the third, the Cyclones scored 3 runs and in the fourth, Jason Phelps hit his 3rd HR of the season to give the Cyclones what ultimately would be the deciding run. 

The Barons wouldn't go down quietly as they kept fighting back scoring 2 runs in the 5th inning to come within two runs and then in the 8th and final inning, the came within a run of tying the game before #34 struck out the final two batters to complete the 8-7 victory.

51's Play HR Derby But Cyclones Get The Win

Oct 27, 2010 - #34 had everything to do with this game.  From pitching, hitting and the opposing team, CL was involved in every aspect of the game.  Let me explain.

For the Cyclones, #34 was the starting pitcher.  He was pitching brilliantly until the 2 wheels fell off in the bottom of the 4th inning. #34 allowed 5 runs (3 earned) on 3 HR, 2 of which were back-to-back.  #34 regrouped and plowed through another two innings before the other two wheels fell off.  In the bottom of the 7th inning, #34 allowed 4 more runs, 3 of which came on another HR (That's 4 HR if your keeping score at home). 9 runs in all with 6 earned.

Now let's see what #34 did for his own team.  Besides actually getting the win (he did strikeout 11 batters), #34 had 4 RBI, including the go ahead runs in the top of the 8th to give him self the chance at a win.  He belted his second 2-run HR of the season, stole 2 bases and also scored twice.

And by the way, there were 10 other Cyclones players that helped the cause. #34 can't do it all by himself you know!

Barons Downed By Cyclones

Oct 18, 2010 - The first run of the game was scored by Justin Keith on an RBI groundout by Ryan Harris after Keith stroked a triple into the gap in left-center field.  The last run of the game was scored by Keith after he walked, stole second, stole third and scored on the throwing error by the catcher.  In between all that, the Cyclones scored 8 other runs in various manners to defeat the Barons 10-5.

Manager Dean Cosme started for the Cyclones and pitched a 9 inning complete game allowing 5 earned runs on 10 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6.  Ryan Harris continued his hot streak going 2-4 with a walk and an RBI.  #34 hit a 2 run HR in the first to give the Cyclones a 3-0 lead.

Cyclones Halt Zephyrs Comeback Bid

Oct 11, 2010 - Starting pitcher #34 cruised through the first 6 innings Sunday evening enjoying a 6-1 lead before things began to get dicey.  In the 7th, #34 allowed a walk, a hit batsman and 3 hits before settling down to halt the Zephyrs and hold on to a 2 run lead.

In the 8th, #34 only allowed a hit before retiring the last two batters to secure the complete game victory over the Zephyrs.  This was #34's 3rd win (2nd consecutive) in 4 starts over the Zephyrs, including 2 wins in the playoffs last season. 

#34, also continuing his hot streak at the plate, went 2-3 with 3 RBI to help his cause.  Speaking of streaks, Jason Phelps hit his second consecutive home run off Zephyrs pitching in the 2nd inning after blasting a solo shot to centerfield.

Cyclones Maul Blue Beavers

Oct 6, 2010 - After a slow start to their Fall 2010 campaign, the waters are beginning to heat up and the wind is beginning to stir.  The Spring Cyclones showed up Tuesday night ready to play baseball and play they did.  In a one-sided affair, the Cyclones walked, hit and scored runs at will.  Cyclones Manager and starting pitcher Dean Cosme held the Beavers to just one run while scattering 8 hits over 8 innings.  Conversely, the Beavers pitching allowed 21 runs on 18 hits, 11 walks and a couple of errors.

Centerfielder Ryan Harris had the big night for the Cyclones going 4-7, 1 HR, 4 R & 4 RBI along with #34, who finally shook off the Barton Park demons to go 3-5, 1 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI & 1 SF.  Other notables include Justin Keith (3 hits, 2 BB, 3 RBI) and Woody Witcraft (3 hits, 1 BB, 2 RBI).

Blue Beavers Shut Down Cyclones

Sept 26, 2010 - There's something in the air and it's stench is coming from the Cyclones dugout.  As valiant as a pitcher can be, he's only as good as his defense allows him to be.  And his team is only as good as the runs they score.  So far this season, the Cyclones haven't been very good.  Call it Championship Hangover or something, but this team has not been able to put together a long inning since they won the title a couple of months ago.

This time, the Conroe Blue Beavers took advantage of a team playing without any fire and without any sense of urgency.  It began in the first game of the season when after putting up 5 runs early, the Cyclones have only been able to score two more runs in almost 17 innings.  The Beavers on the other hand came back to tie the opening after being down 5-1 and put up 7 against a better defensive Cyclones team, but a Cyclones team that looks tired and worn out. 

Title Defense Begins With A Tie

Sept 1, 2010 - Fall, a time for change.  It's also time for the NHWBL Fall 2010 Season to begin.  For the Cyclones, it began on the last day of August.  Their Spring 2010 title defense started with the Conroe Blue Beavers, who have historically been an easy victory, but in the last few matchups, have given the Cyclones a run for their money.

This past Tuesday was no different than the last few times.  The Cyclones jumped out to an early 5-1 lead, but watched as the Beavers would slowly chip away at the lead.  CL, pitching his first game since the Championship, didn't have great command and struggled through most of his 6 innings, but left with the lead and thought it was safe.

It wasn't.  Justin Keith came in to close out the last few innings.  He avoided trouble as much as he could, but his defense let him down when in the final inning, a dropped pop up to short right field opened the door for the Beavers to tie the game before the final out was recorded.