CYCLONES WIN A GAME
Only two victories have come against the Toros

Oct 12, 2018 - It wasn't pretty by any means but the Cyclones won a game for the first time in almost 2 months.  It so happened to come against he team they beat for their first victory this season, the Toros. But this one was a little different.  This one seemed almost like the way the season should have gone.  The Cyclones fell in an early hole as starting pitching once again struggled to keep runners off base which in turn allowed the defense to continue their struggles of not getting outs.  But despite all that nonsense, the offense held steady.  The bided their time as the Toros were beginning to slip. Once the Toros changed pitchers, the Cyclones pounced.  Down 8-4 in the 4th, the Cyclones scored 6 runs before recording an out to go ahead 10-8.  The following inning, they did it again but this time scoring 6 runs after 2 outs.  With the score 16-8 in the final inning, it seemed as though the Cyclones would not be able to hold the lead as the defense allowed the lead off man to reach base.  However, the defense did its job and got out of the inning only allowing 2 runs and securing the 2nd victory of the season.

ROUTED AGAIN!
Makeshift Cyclones no match for Thunder

Oct 5, 2018 - It started off well as the Cyclones jumped all over the Thunder's starting pitcher to grab an early 2-0 lead.  But the makeshift Cyclones lack of depth at pitcher meant it was going to be a long night if starting pitcher Dean Cosme wasn't on.  And he wasn't. The Thunder came right back and scored 5 runs on the bottom of the 1st to take a 5-2 lead and never looked back.  The Cyclones for their part didn't get another hit the rest of the game.  The end result was a 16-3 drubbing.

Ray Mariano is ready on defense vs. Texas Thunder October 4, 2018

ERRORS, ERRORS, LOSS
Defense struggles as dismal season continues

Sept 20, 2018 - To put it mildly, the Cyclones stink.  With a roster decimated by injuries and retirements, key components of the team that were counted on to help boost the defense, which in turn would help the offense, have left the team hapless and lost.  The lone bright spots have been Ray Mariano, Priamo Reyes and newcomer Reinaldo Araujo, all of which are continuing to get on base, score and drive in runs despite the teams other struggles.

Priamo Reyes watches as he looks to steal a base vs. Blue Jays September 19, 2018

BAD START, NO RELIEF
Pitching continues to struggle as Cyclones drop 4th game

August 27, 2018 - Thomas Almendarez hit 2 triples driving in 2 runs and going 4 for 4 in the process.  Thomas Ramirez goes 2-3 with a single and a triple after not having played since before the Cyclones were eliminated from the Spring 2018 playoffs and missing the first 4 games of the season.  It was a good day to be a Thomas but a bad day to be a Cyclone as their starting pitching once again failed to keep the Cyclones in the game.  Starting pitcher Dean Cosme struggled with his control and allowed 8 runs over 4 innings as the Cyclones fell to the Houston Oilers 13-6. 

Thomas Almendarez watches as he ropes a triple to right field vs. Houston Oilers August 26, 2018

OH-YAY!!
Cyclones erupt for 15 runs; Take offensive frustrations out on Toros

August 22, 2018 - In the near 10 years of its existence, the Cyclones had never lost the first 3 games of the season.  It happened last week.  The Cyclones were not about to let it be 4 in a row.  The Cyclones came into Tuesday night with the objective to bring home a victory.  The task was simple, the execution not so much.

The game would not start the way Mgr Dean Cosme wanted it to.  It didn't end the way he wanted it to either.  But what was most important was what happened in between.  The Cyclones' bats woke.  And the biggest bat to wake up was that of newcomer Ronald Castellanos, who is now the Cyclones primary catcher. Ronald went 4-4, with 2 doubles, 2 RBI and 3 runs scored.  He accounted for 4 of the 15 hits the Cyclones cranked out Tuesday night.  Everyone who batted except for two players reached base safely either with a hit or a walk.

In the end, the Cyclones defeated the Toros 15-7.  It wasn't the cleanest performance in the world, but it was one the Cyclones had to have in order to get the result they needed. Offensive highlights from Ronald, Priamo Reyes and Ray Mariano made sure they gave the Cyclones the lead. Defensive gems from Reinaldo Araujo and Dave McBride made sure it stayed that way. It's wins like this that bring together a team.  It's wins like this that can turn around a season.  The seeds have been planted.  Hopefully we can watch them grow beautifully.

Reggie Troche awaits the pitch vs. Toros August 21, 2018

CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
Early wildness dooms Cyclones who fall to 0-3 for first time in team history

August 20, 2018 - If it wasn't for the first 2 innings, the Cyclones might have won yesterday.  But starting pitcher Ben Ballanfant just could not find the strike zone early and when he did, he got smacked for a single and double.  But Ben righted the ship in the 3rd inning and pitched a complete game throwing seven innings, striking out 8, allowing 4 earned runs on 7 walks.  It was those however that did him in and the Cyclones just couldn't get enough going to overcome the early deficit as they fell to the Blue Jays 4-2

Ben Ballanfant delivers the pitch vs. Blue Jays August 19, 2018

EMBARRASSED!!!
Cyclones pounded 22-5 for one of worst losses in team history

August 13, 2018 - One day later and the wreckage still looks bad. There were no words to describe the embarrassing loss to the Thunder Sunday afternoon. And one day later, while the stink will remain, the focus turns to the following week's game.  With very few positives to pull from the debacle of a game, one thing to note was that against quality pitching, the Cyclones were able to put together two rallies scoring 2 and 3 runs respectively.  While the pitching and defense left something to be desired on Sunday, the offense seems like it will be in decent shape with the return of some keys starters this week.

Mark McDowell (l.) discusses strategy with Ben Ballanfant (r.) vs. Thunder August 12, 2018
 

CYCLONES MELT IN THE HEAT

August 2, 2018 - Although the results were not as expected the changes that were made to the Cyclones (some forced, some not) will ultimately be good for the team in the long run. On this day however, the end result was another loss to begin a season but at least it came with a promise of hope. For the first 4 innings the game was close with the Marauders getting on the board first with a unearned run.  The Cyclones followed suit by scoring 2 runs to go ahead 2-1.  In the fifth, Manager and starting pitcher Dean Cosme gave up 3 runs (2 earned) as the Marauders cashed in on an error and a bit of luck to go ahead 4-2.  The score would remain 4-2 until the ninth innings when reliever Ben Ballanfant allowed 1 earned run

 But by then, the gas was running out on the Cyclones as the heat was taking it's toll on some of the players. With temperatures in the mid 90's and no shade in the dugout due to direct sunlight positioning in the late afternoon, the Cyclones were toasted.  Overall, the Cyclones managed 7 hits but none were timely enough to drive in runs.  But once the bats get going, it looks to be a fruitful Fall.

Priamo Reyes squares to bunt during game vs. Marauders August 5, 2018