Spring Cyclones Win NHWBL Spring 2010 Championship!!!

August 16, 2010 - It took one inning to take the lead 1-0 and 8 more to catch up and take the lead again, but the Spring Cyclones finally held on to take the North Houston Wood Bat League Spring 2010 Championship with a 5-4 victory over the Zephyrs.

Jason Phelps was the hero of the game blasting a 2-run bomb over Tomball City Park's chain-link monster in left field to give the Spring Cyclones the lead in the top of the 9th inning, leaving it in the hands of the game's starting pitcher to close out the victory.  #34 pitched a complete game against the Zephyrs for the second time in the playoffs, this time limiting them to 4 runs on 7 hits while striking out 10 including the final 7 batters in a row.

Cyclones Fall To Zephyrs 13-10

August 9, 2010 - Being the #1 seed has its advantages.  Having run the table to the Championship has its privileges.  It means you get another chance at the title.  Double elimination has its benefits.  It means you need to lose twice.  The Spring Cyclones ran the table to the Championship Game.  The Spring Cyclones had the #1 seed.  But they faced their arch nemesis Zephyrs in the championships again for the second straight season.  And again failed to seal the deal when it mattered most.

But like last season, the Spring Cyclones get a second chance at the title.  Having no losses going into the Championship means you have to lose twice.  The opposing team already has one loss so they would be out if they lose in the finale. 

Last season the Cyclones couldn't bring it home, getting trounced in back to back Championship games by the Zephyrs to fall short of their dream.  Now with a 13-10 loss at the hands of the Zephyrs again, history may be repeating itself.  But this is a "different" team.  This is a better team than the one that made the finale last season.

This season, they have #34, Joe "Woody" Witcraft, Jason Phelps, Chris Sparkman and most of last season's returning players.  Woody is an RBI machine, driving in another run on Sunday.  #34 was a tremendous pickup.  Bringing a big stick and a live arm, he has been everything and more than a manager could ask for.  He belted a 3 run HR on Sunday to temporarily give the Cyclones the lead.  But his arm that so masterfully shut down the Zephyrs in the early rounds of the playoffs couldn't quite live up to the hype in the finale as #34 allowed 10 runs in 6 innings. 

But being a double elimination tournament and having gone into the championship with no losses means you get to play one more for all the marbles.  Will they bring home the prize this time?  See you Sunday.
 

Spring Cyclones To Face Zephyrs Again For Championship

July 31, 2010 - The Spring Cyclones will take on the Zephyrs for the NHWBL Spring 2010 Championship.  This is a rematch of the Fall 2009 Championship where the Zephyrs overpowered the Cyclones to take the title.  This is a different year and a different team for both sides, so we'll have to see if there are different results.

8 Run 5th Inning Leads Cyclones Past 51's, Into Championship Game

July 28, 2010 - The Spring Cyclones sent 14 batters to the plate in the 5th inning scoring 8 times.  What's makes this feat rather unusual is that 7 of the 8 runs scored as the base runners moved station to station on 10 consecutive plate appearances.  No big hit, no multiple run scoring single.  Just one by one the started to score.

Mgr Dean Cosme started on the mound for the Cyclones, but lasted only 5 innings and came out trailing 5-1, but the Cyclones scored eight runs in the bottom half of the 5th to make Cosme the pitcher of record.  Justin Keith came on in relief and pitched 3 solid innings for the save.

Cyclones Blank Zephyrs

July 21, 2010 - The road to redemption and recovery has been a long one for Cyclones Pitcher #34.  Surgery.  Rehab.  Time away from the game.  It's an emotional roller coaster.  For #34 though, it culminated in last night's win.  A complete game shutout of the Zephyrs in commanding style.  #34 allowed 4 hits and 2 walks, half of each came in the first inning of the game.  From there, #34 dominated.  It wasn't a effortless domination, but domination none the less.

Although no runner reached second base after the first inning, #34 had trouble getting ahead on batters all night.  But to his credit, after the 2nd inning he found his rhythm and kept a good pace from there.  #34 struck out 11 batters including the first and last batter looking in a 142 pitch effort.

As for the rest of the Cyclones, it was a hard fought battle against their rivals.  Along with #34, the starting pitcher for the Zephyrs was also dealin'.  He also pitched a complete game.  He also struckout 11 batters.  But it was what happened in between that mattered the most and the Cyclones got to him in 2 consecutive innings (4th & 5th) for 3 runs. 

In the 4th, Chris Sparkman got the scoring starting by looping a liner into right center field which was followed by Joe Banasik's RBI single.  In the 5th, with runners on second and third, #34 helped his own cause with an RBI ground out to short. 

Although it was all they needed, the Cyclones might have had more if not for a stunning play by the Zephyrs starting pitcher.  With the bases loaded and two out, Troy Hatler ripped a liner up the middle that was snared by the Zephyrs pitcher, saving at least two runs. 

The Cyclones resume their quest for a championship on Sunday against the Las Vegas 51's in Tomball at 2:00pm.

Spring Cyclones Take First Place

July 8, 2010 - The Spring Cyclones finished in first place for the regular Spring 2010 Season of the NHWBL.  Finishing first gains them a bye into the second round of the playoffs.  Playoffs are set to begin the week starting July 11.  Congratulations to the Spring Cyclones!

Lethargic Cyclones Wilt In The Heat

June 28, 2010 - Playing uninspired baseball, the Spring Cyclones finished out their Spring 2010 season with a loss to the upstart River Bandits, losing 3 of their last 4 heading into the playoffs.  Although starting pitcher Dean Cosme did not help the situation by pitching poorly, the defense sealed the fate of the Cyclones as missed balls and errors once again plagued the Cyclones. 

The Cyclones opened the scoring by plating 2 runs in the top of the 2nd, but miscues and missed pitches doomed the Cyclones in the bottom 2nd and the River Bandits took a 6-2 lead that they would not relinquish.  In fact, over the next couple of innings, they added to their total taking a commanding 11-2 lead into the 8th inning.

The Cyclones made the first of two attempted comebacks as they scored 2 runs in the 7th inning and then in the 9th with time running out, plated 2 more runs before the lights went out on the game and the season.  Rules state that the final would be 11-4.

Cyclones Make Statement With Win Over Barons

June 22, 2010 - There was a sense of urgency not present before last night's game.  There was a sense of purpose that had never permeated it's way onto the team until now.  The Spring Cyclones had lost their last two games after winning seven straight games and those two losses stung them like never before.  They seemed to realize that they should not have lost those two games and wanted to make last night's game a statement.  Mission accomplished.

Starting on the mound for the first time this season, #34, while not perfect, was well in control for his seven innings.  Although a slight falter near the end, #34 kept the Barons strongest hitters at bay most of the night and weaved his way out of trouble when he had to. 

Offensively, #34 had another stellar night collecting another 3 hits, a couple of runs scored and an RBI.  As for the rest of the team, they jumped on the Barons starting pitcher for 2 runs in the first for a 2-0 lead until the 3rd inning.  Then in the 6th, the walls came crashing down as the Cyclones blew the doors wide open with a 6 run inning that saw the Cyclones bring 12 men to the plate.

Up 8-2, the Barons made their comeback bid in the top of the seventh as they plated 3 more runs, but it was not enough to catch the Cyclones.  In the bottom of the seventh, the Cyclones added 3 more runs to finish the game 11-5.

Sloppy Play Dooms Two For Cyclones

June 23, 2010 - The last two games played by the Spring Cyclones have a been a clinic in how not to play defense.  They have booted, bobbled and thrown the ball like it was made of pins and needles.  Although the Cyclones have hit fairly well the past two games, they haven't gotten it done with the glove and that is what has cost them the last two games.

First, against the Barons, the Cyclones allowed 3 unearned runs in the top of the third to put themselves in a whole, but came back in the bottom of the third to take the lead 4-3 on RBI hits by #34 and team RBI leader Joe "Woody" Witcraft.  But from that point on, the wheels began to go a little flat.

Immediately after taking the 4-3 lead, the Cyclones starting pitcher Stephen Landin promptly gave back the lead and then some by allowing 5 runs (4 earned) in the top of the fourth before being lifted prior to the 5th inning.  Dean Cosme came on in relief of Landin and shut down the Barons for the next three innings before the defense began to cough up baseballs like a bad flu.

Then against the River Bandits, the Cyclones jumped to an 8-1 lead and began to coast. The River Bandits however had other things in mind for Father's Day as they tacked on 6 runs in the 4th inning to close the gap to 8-7.  Starting pitcher Dean Cosme, tried his best to hold serve but an untypical lack of control doomed the inning for Cosme and the Cyclones as Cosme coughed up 3 more runs and relief pitcher #34 allowed 2 more to give the River Bandits a 12-8 lead. 

The Cyclones however were not done.  They stormed back with 3 in the bottom half of the inning to come within a run of tying the game.  In the 6th, Stephen Landin belted a solo shot to left field to temporarily tie the game at 12.

But it was all for naught as the Cyclones figuratively decided to leave their gloves on the bench and play barehanded.  Allowing 4 runs to the River Bandits, the Cyclones gave the game away and went home quietly for a 16-12 loss.

Playing Shorthanded, Cyclones Top Barons

June 6, 2010 - Mgr. Dean Cosme battled for 6 innings in blazing heat and humidity to keep the Cyclones in the game as the back and forth game went the way of the Cyclones, defeating the Barons 9-8.  With a team exhausted from the heat from having played back to back games over the weekend while enduring 90+ degree heat, the Cyclones found enough energy in the 8th inning to hit 3 doubles in and drive in 3 runs to take the lead.  The bottom of the 8th was handed over to #34 who held the Barons in check to save the game for Cosme and the Cyclones.

Ryan Harris Mike O'Neil had huge games for the Cyclones, each having 3 hits with Harris scoring twice and O'Neil three times to push the Cyclones to a 7-1 record on the season.

Defensively, the Cyclones struggled from being shorthanded in the outfield, using only 2 outfielders the whole day.  Cosme had good command all day, but weak grounders and conveniently placed bloopers that found holes plagued Cosme all day.  But perseverance and sheer will by Cosme and the Cyclones made this one a win today.

Game Balls go to Mike O'Neil who also played with a deep cut on his forehand, to Justin Keith for braving 8 innings in the blazing heat and the Dean Cosme for continuing to go back to the mound inning after inning then took over first base and made the last two put outs of the game.

Cyclones Continue Mastery Over 51's

June 6, 2010 - In another full team effort, the Spring Cyclones went up 7-1 in the 4th inning and hung on to take the victory over the 51's 7-6.  Ryan Harris made the emergency start for the Cyclones as scheduled starter Stephen Landin missed the game due to personal business matters.  Harris allowed only 1 run over 3 innings before giving way to reliever Woody Witcraft. 

Witcraft pitched a solid 4th inning before faltering slightly in the 5th, allowing the 51's to come within a few runs of tying the game. #34 came on in the 6th inning and kept the 51's at bay, only allowing a couple of runs over 3 innings. 

The Cyclones offense started slow, but kicked it into high gear in the 4th inning plating 5 runs, mostly as the 51's struggled to find the strike zone, giving up 3 walks in the innings as well as a couple of hits.

Spring Cyclones Flex Their Muscles With Win Over Beavers

May 26, 2010 - Last night started out as a home run derby for the Conroe Blue Beavers and it ended very similarly as well.  The only problem was they faced a red-hot hitting Cyclones team that has now won 4 games in a row since losing to these same Blue Beavers on Opening Night back in April.

The Blue Beavers hit 4 home runs last night, including one on the first pitch of the game, accounting for 6 of their 7 runs.  But in between all their power hitting came familiar sketchy defense and shaky pitching.

On the other hand, for the Cyclones, starter Stephen Landin overcame his rocky first inning with 5 more innings of solid pitching, only allowing 2 more runs to score, one of which was unearned, while striking out 9 overall.

But the real story was the offense.  Not to be outdone by the Beavers top of the lineup power hitters, the Cyclones decided to show some muscle and might as well.  Only it wasn't just the top of the lineup guys, it was 1 thru 9.  All nine starters reached base safely at least once and all but one starter scored at least one run. 

The offense was led by #34 and Ryan Harris, both of whom were conspicuously missing from Sunday's offensive effort, but had vowed to bring the "big sticks" with them for this game.  And bring them they did.  Lead off batter #34, was a triple short of the cycle as he ended up with pair of doubles, a homer and a single.  One of doubles was a controversial call because it came on a diving effort by the Beavers' centerfielder, but was mishandled by the right fielder as he tried to recover.  Cody drove in 4 runs along with scoring another 3.

Ryan Harris also came up big with a 3 hit effort of his own, just missing a first inning homer by a mere 3 inches, settling for an RBI double along with a couple more hits and a couple more RBI.

Help came from the bottom of the order too.  The 7-8-9 spots in the batting order accounted for 5 hits and 5 runs on the night.  Game balls go to Cody and Ryan for bringing the "big sticks" as promised!

'Clones Hold On For Victory Over Zephyrs

May 24, 2010 - On an extremely hot Sunday afternoon, Cyclones Manager Dean Cosme took the mound against their rivals the Zephyrs for what he hoped would be good clean competitive baseball.  After 1 inning, it appeared that might not be the case.  The Cyclones went up 1-0 in the top of the first, only to see Cosme cough up the lead in a long, tiring bottom of the first, that had Cosme questioning whether or not he wanted to continue pitching the game.

He chose to stay in, acclimating himself to the heat once again, something he hadn't done in quite a while.  By staying in, he kept himself under control and fired 5 consecutive shutout innings before he ran out of gas in the 7th with two outs.  Cosme would finish the inning but not before allowing two more runs to score and letting the Zephyrs come within a run of tying the game.

The Cyclones offense, once again led by Joe "Woody" Witcraft, added an insurance run in the top 8th to make the score 7-5 before Justin Keith came in and notched a save.

Woody got another 4 hits in the game and also added another 4 RBI giving him 11 hits and 10 RBI in his last 3 game starts.  Justin Keith also had himself a game going 2-2 with 2 BB, 2 R and 1 RBI.  Another Game Ball goes to Woody for another outstanding performance.

Manager Dean Cosme dedicated this win to the memory of Jose Lima.

Cyclones Pound Zephyrs

May 9, 2010 - Under the lights in Tomball, the Spring Cyclones shined brightest.  Led by newcomer Joe "Woody" Witcraft, who went 4-5, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, the Cyclones also welcomed back pitcher Stephen Landin, who promptly pitched 7 shutout innings while striking out 7.

It was a complete effort put on by the Cyclones as almost everyone reached base and/or scored a run in the 11-6 victory over the Zephyrs.  Although 11-6 seems like a competitive game, it was really a lopsided victory as the Zephyrs scored all their runs in the 8th inning off of tired relief pitcher #34. #34 had just caught the previous 7 innings when he was asked to come on in relief of Landin.

Young and game, #34 didn't quite have his legs under him, giving up 6 runs in the 8th before getting the final out to preserve the 11-6 victory.  Game Balls go to Woody and Stephen for their stellar performances.

51's Left In A Cloud Of Dust By Cyclones

May 3, 2010 - In the bottom of the ninth, with a runner on second and two outs, Mgr. Dean Cosme swung and hit a dribbler to the pitcher.  Somehow, Cosme made it into first base safe while sliding into the bag.  The runner on second?  Joe Banasik, whom earlier in the inning had driven in the game tying run, kept on coming...and scored underneath the tag for the walk off win!!!

Earlier in the game, the Cyclones took the field without some key players in key positions.  But, that was not going to deter Dean or the rest of the Cyclones.  They quickly put up a 4-spot in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of a shorthanded 51's team.

Two innings later and the Cyclones led 6-2.  But the lead wouldn't last that long as the 51's took advantage of a "tired" Dean Cosme on the mound and put up 5 runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead 7-6.  But the "tired" Cosme was determined to win and stayed in the game despite calls for his removal.

Cosme completed the game, pitching the next 3 innings, allowing only 3 base runners over that span.  Then came the bottom of the ninth.  Dave Fantin led off the inning with a walk.  He promptly stole second base, but an error by the catcher, allowed Fantin to take third base.  Now, with no one out and a man on third, the Cyclones were primed to bring in the tying run.  Banasik was at the plate, looking to put one deep enough to sacrifice in the run.  Instead, he blooped one over the shortstop's head into left field for the game tying hit.  A couple of outs later and it was Cosme's turn at bat. And we all know what kind of dust cloud that created. 

Cyclones Blowout River Bandits

April 25 2010 - It's been quite a while since the Cyclones wee on the winning side of a blowout.  Led by newcomers #34 and Joe Witcraft, the took advantage of poor defense on the part of the River Bandits to turn this game into a laugher by the fourth inning.  The Cyclones started Mgr Dean Cosme on the mound.  Cosme held the River Bandits to just 1 run on 2 hits (both by the same person) while striking out 6 in 6 innings.

Playing his first game with the Cyclones, #34 got the scoring started by doubling home Mike O'Neil in the bottom of the first inning.  #34 also took over for Cosme on the mound posting a scoreless seventh inning.  #34 finished the day with 2 hits, 5 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Joe Witcraft, a first-round draft pick this off season, went 3 for 4 with a double and 5 RBI.  Joe and Cody were our Players Of The Game this week.  Congratulations to both.

Full Scheduled Posted for Spring 2010 Season

April 20, 2010 - The season's full schedule has been posted. Please remember that all dates, times and locations are subject to change. Check back here and at www.scorebook.com/nhwbl for updates.

Mgr Dean Cosme Celebrates Addition Of Newest Cyclones Fan

April 13, 2010 - At 5:18am this morning, the Cosme family welcomed the addition of Skyler Moon Cosme to the family.  Weighing in at 8lbs 3oz and measuring 21" long, baby and mom are doing great!

Spring Season Starts With A Thud

April 9, 2010 - With new additions Chris Sparkman, Joe Witcraft and Mitch Tyer in the fold, the Spring Cyclones came up a little short on Friday night against the Conroe Blue Beavers taking a 10-5 loss on the chin.  Expecting some more offense and better defense, the Cyclones showed very little change other than a few new faces.