Cyclones Fall To Zephyrs in Division Championship

Jan 14, 2013 - As was the case much of the season, the Cyclones did not have their full squad on hand to face the Zephyrs.  They once again played with only 8 players and this time it affected them greatly.  Dean Cosme started on the mound for the Cyclones kept the game close for the first two innings before an error and a couple of solid hits put the Cyclones behind 2-0.  In the fourth, Cosme allowed another run but settled down to finish off the inning and one more before giving way to #34.

In the end, it didn't matter much who was on the mound for the Cyclones as the Zephyrs score an additional 8 runs to defeat the defensively challenged Cyclones 11-6

Cyclones Top Barons, Finish in 1st Place

Nov 19, 2012 - Jason Phelps doubled and homered while newcomer Gabe Medina went 3-3 on the afternoon to help lead the shorthanded Cyclones to a 13-5 victory over the Tomball Barons.  #34 pitched and earned his 5th win of the season.

#34 Mows 'Em Down Again, Cyclones Trounce Barons 8-1

Nov 12, 2012 - It's been an exceptional year, not just season for #34.  After carrying the Cyclones to their second title in 5 seasons, Lott has once again shown that he is a masterful artist on the mound.  This time, he took the mound against the Barons and struck out 13 Barons in 7 innings.  His biggest threat came in the 7th as the bases were loaded on 2 Cyclones errors, but two consecutive strikeouts snuffed that rally and Lott's night was done.

The offense was sparked by Jason Phelps who had a 3-3 night with 4 RBI, including a monstrous HR to left center field that would have cleared most major league parks.  And for good measure, #34 hit a towering opposite field 2 run HR to right-center that preceded Jason's 2 sun shot.

Two all-time team records fell last night as  congratulations goes out to Justin Keith who drew 2 more walks to total 19 on the season and break his own record of 17 after tying it two weeks ago.  Also breaking a record last night was Mgr. Dean Cosme who dubiously had a hat trick of strikeouts to bring his season total to 15 breaking Jason Smith's record of 14 set in Spring 2011 season. 

With one week left and facing the Barons once again, the Cyclones have a chance to break a few more records next week as Jason Phelps, #34 and Ryan Harris look to hit their 6th or more doubles to break the all time record set by Ryan Harris, #34 and Marc Love.  Good luck, gentlemen!

Rally Falls Short, Zephyrs Edge Cyclones 9-8

Oct 29, 2012 - Errors, mental and physical cost the Cyclones a victory today.  For the most part, starting pitcher Dean Cosme held the Zephyrs in check, except for 3 particular innings that seemed like meltdowns instead.  After getting the first two out in the first inning, Cosme uncharacteristically walked the next batter and then was greeted with a HR over the Chain-link Monster to quickly go down 2-0.

Then in the sixth, 2 out and runner on 2nd & 3rd, the Cyclones failed to get the third out on a ground ball to the infield leading to 3 unearned runs.  Finally in the 9th inning with a 1 run lead, Cosme couldn't buy a strike.  walking the first two batters and then when the ground ball came, it became another error on the Cyclones.  #34 came on in relief and allowed an unearned run while getting three outs on strikeouts.

Offensively, the Cyclones had several chances to score more than they did but came up short when they needed it most.

Travis Dean Slams Cyclones Past Beavers 10-3

Oct 22, 2012 - On Sunday, Travis Dean earned his stripes.  In the top of the 3rd inning of a 5-1 Game, Travis hit a grand slam HR to center field to break the game open and lead the Cyclones to a 10-3 victory over the Blue Beavers, avenging the Cyclones opening day loss.

Justin Keith continues to lead the universe in walks as he added 2 more and tacked on 3 more runs scored to keep pace with is partner in crime Ryan Harris with 14.  #34 continued his strong pitching throwing 5 innings while allowing 2 runs (1 earned) while striking out 8, hitting a batter and walking none.  3 other pitchers combined to allow only one other run.

Banasik, Cosme Edge 51's 3-2

Oct 7, 2012 - Joe Banasik was feeling young.  He was feeling like it was the 90's all over again.  First, he lines an RBI  single into right field to open up the scoring.  Then he steals second to put himself in scoring position.  Next batter Brandon Thomas hits a sacrifice fly to right field and plates Ryan Harris for the second run of the inning.  That sacrifice also moved up Joe Banasik to third base.  He then scores the third and deciding run on a wild pitch.  For one inning he lived up to his nickname Joe "The Show".  It was his time, his inning. 

The rest of the game was up to Dean Cosme and he delivered.   Having faced the minimum through 3 innings, Cosme allowed 2 earned runs to score in the 4th inning on 4 consecutive singles.  It would be the only runs he would allow as over the next four innings he allowed 3 more base runners and only one of those would reach second base.  Looking to complete the game, in the ninth, Cosme allowed the first two batters to reach base.  In comes Ryan Harris, the team's closer.  And close it out he did. 

Lott Comes Up Aces, Hurls CG Shutout, K's 15

Sept 24, 2012 - In the world of baseball, there are career defining moments.  Moments that standout in your mind forever.  Mays' over the shoulder catch in the 1954 World Series, Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, Armando Galarraga's "Imperfect" game during the 2010 season, Mike Piazza's go-ahead home run in the 8th inning on Sept 21, 2001 after baseball returned to NY for the first time after the Sept 11 attacks.

Not many players have career defining moments but some players just do it over and over again.  #34 is one of those players.  Most of those moments have come on the mound for the Spring Cyclones.  Like July 20, 2010, Lott hurled a 4-hit/11-K complete game shutout against the Spring-Klein Zephyrs to advance in the Spring 2010 playoffs.  Like August 4, 2012, Lott completes an amazing season with a 4-hit/7-K performance to secure a Spring Cyclones Championship.

September 23, 2012 was one of those defining moment kind of days. I believe it was his masterpiece.  #34 struck out 15 Heat batters over 8 innings never allowing a runner past second base all while only having 2 outfielders, as the Cyclones played short handed once again.  And not to be outdone, Lott also hit a 2-run HR on the first pitch he saw in the first inning to give the Cyclones a 2-0 lead right away.  Although the Cyclones went on to win 5-0, It was the #34 show on this day that got it done for the Cyclones.

Defensive Debacle Befalls Cyclones, Lose 8-5

Sept 24, 2012 - In this season's continuing struggle to field 9 players, the Cyclones were once again playing many players out of position in order to have 9 guys on the field.  One newcomer, one "replacement" player and a couple out of position added up to 6 errors and loss.

Mgr. Dean Cosme started on the mound for the Cyclones and held the Sharks at bay for the first 3 innings looking sharp despite a couple of errors.  But he couldn't hold on come the 4th innings and the Sharks plated 2 runs on a couple of doubles and a single.

In the 7th with the game tied 3-3, Cosme allowed 3 runs and it cost him the game as the Cyclones weren't able to mount any sizeable comeback and fell to the Sharks 8-5.

Up 9-0, Cyclones Collapse, Lose To Blaze 11-10

Sept 9, 2012 - The much anticipated rematch of Championship Day teams the Cyclones and the Blaze in theory seemed as though it would be a tight contest much like the Championship game was.  Even though the end results show a "close" game, it many ways, this game wasn't close, should have never been close and should have never been a loss for the Cyclones.

In the first inning, the Cyclones took advantage of an unusually wild Blaze team that allowed 4 walks in the first inning alone.  That coupled with a few defensive miscues allowed the Cyclones to go up 5-0 before the Blaze even got an at bat.  It was 9-0 before the Blaze began to wake up their bats.

Things started to turn slowly beginning in the bottom of the 3rd.  Dean Cosme, making his first start vs. the Blaze had kept the Blaze at bay in the first two innings but in the 3rd allowed 2 2-out runs to score before getting out of the inning.  In the 4th, the Blaze began to figure out Cosme as they tagged him for 3 more runs (2 earned). 

But it was the 5th and 6th innings where the real unhinging took place.  Newcomer Mike Steele came on in to pitch for Cosme and promptly struck out the first batter he faced.  He also struck out the last batter he faced.  But it was what happened in between those strikeouts that doomed the Cyclones.

In the 5th, still leading 10-5, the Blaze scored 3 runs on a combination of hits, walks and wild pitches.  The 6th inning wasn't much better for Steele as 2 more walks, 2 hit batters and more wild pitches and passed balls allowed the Blaze another 3 runs and gift wrapped them the game 11-10.

#34 Fan-tastiK Again: K's 9, Hurls Another Gem

Aug 27, 2012 - #34 is making a habit out of shutting down offenses.  So far in 2012, in 11 appearances (including playoffs), #34 has allowed only 12 runs (only 7 earned) to score, compiled a 6-1 record with an ERA under 2.00 all while striking out 78 batters.

Sunday was another notch in the belt for Lott as he faced the Texas Heat for the first time since the playoffs in November 2011.  That day was probably #34's worst day as a Cyclones.  Sunday was a completely different story.  Lott threw 5 innings in which he allowed only 1 run to score (earned) on 7 hits while striking out 9.  But to add to it, #34 also went 2-4 with 2 doubles, a run scored and 2 RBI.

Making his return to the Cyclones lineup this Sunday was Travis Dean and he quickly made his presence felt as he belted a 2-run HR over the Chain-Link Monster in left field to make the game 4-0.  Travis was later walk and score another run to cap off the Cyclones 8-1 victory.

Cosme, Lott Combine To Stifle Zephyrs 4-1

Aug 19, 2012 - Dean Cosme pitched 6 strong innings and #34 continued his magical string of zeros to shutdown the Spring-Klein Zephyrs 4-1 on Saturday at Cypress Christian School.  Dean Cosme took the mound for his scheduled start after having been shellacked on Opening Weekend just 2 weeks earlier.  This time though, he was ready and "armed." 

Cosme threw 6 strong innings allowing only 1 unearned run on 2 hits and unusually high 3 walks.  Also unusual for this effort was the high amount of fly ball outs for Cosme.  Normally a dominantly ground ball pitcher, Cosme recorded 9 of his 18 outs via the air.  For Lott, it was business as usual.  No runs, a strikeout or 2 per inning and so on.

For the offense, it struggled again to score runs of the Zephyrs but ultimately they scored enough.  The Cyclones scored 2 runs on the 4th on Zephyr miscues but in the 9th, rookie Aaron Schroder put the game away with a 2-run blast.

Cyclones Trounce Revamped 51's 13-1

Aug 12, 2012 - The "Las Vegas" 51's returned to action after a 1 year layoff and immediately were sentenced to face the always strong Spring-Klein Zephyrs in week 1 and the defending NHWBL Champs the Spring Cyclones in week 2.  It would be enough to want to stay in hibernation, but the 51's were back.

Only problem is, they are virtually the same team that left.  Some may say that's good, some may say that's bad. Only the results will prove that in the end.  So far, not so good.  After a week one loss to the Zephyrs, the 51's took on the Cyclones, who in a matter of 24 hours last week, went for pure jubilation to humbled defeat after losing the season opener to the Beavers.

This time though, the Cyclones were ready.  They came out swinging and clubbed 51's starting pitcher Richard Caldwell out of the game after 7 batters and 6 consecutive hits.  The pitching change didn't seem to matter much to the Cyclones as they added 2 more runs an inning later and after 2 were up 8-0.  Things settled in and the game progressed until the 6th inning where the bats woke up again and the Cyclones smacked the 51's third pitcher of the day around for another 5 runs.

Pitching wise for the Cyclones, #34 continued his brilliant string of pitching with another 3 scoreless innings in his first appearance of the fall season.  2nd season player Ryan Phillips also took the mound for a couple of innings and allowed the only run the 51's would score.  Mgr. Dean Cosme got back on the mound for a scoreless inning shaking off the rust that was prevalent in his opening day performance.  Finally, "closer" Ryan Harris finished the game with a 1-2-3 final inning to finish the 13-1 victory.

Beavers Hold On To Top Cyclones 8-7 In Season Opener

Aug 6, 2012 - The Cyclones had a hangover.  They had won the NHWBL Championship on Saturday and on Sunday came out to play the season opener.  Some guys couldn't make it.  Some guys didn't make it.  It was a bad season opener for the Cyclones.  The Cyclones almost came out on top.  After an 8 run spot, the Cyclones made a game of it but ran out of time.

With the score 2-1 in favor of the Beavers, the top of the fourth became the inning that wouldn't end.  2 Cyclones errors (maybe more but there seemed to be a generous score keeper that day) led the way for 6 Beaver runs that would eventually decide the game.  The Cyclones scratched their way back in the game scoring in the 5th, 6th and 7th innings, but the Cyclones would run out of time and eventually take the 8-7 loss.