2 Minutes To Go, Deja Vu All Over Again

June 20, 2017 -  Jorge Atencio hit what appeared to be at the time, a game winning 2 Run Inside-The-Park HR against the TX Thunder during their elimination game last night. It all started when the Cyclones began the inning 2 runs down 5-3 heading into what was thought to be the final inning. The drama unfolded with 2 out and a man on 3rd, John Richardson hit a bloop single to right to drive in Mariano.  John would reach second on an error leading the way for Jorge.  Jorge roped a sinking line drive into the gap in right center as the right fielder for the Cyclones made an attempt to shoestring catch the dying quail.  It went under his glove and all the way to the fence as Jorge raced around the bases to score.  But with time left on the clock, the Cyclones needed to continue their turn at bat. 

Defeated, the Texas Thunder continued the inning only to realize that it finished with 2 minutes left on the clock and a breath of life.  The Cyclones on the other hand, failed to kill off the clock and as a result, the Thunder came back in the their top half of the inning to tie the game at 7 and take the lead in the next inning that followed.  The game would end 9-7 as the Cyclones took another extra inning playoff loss. That makes back to back seasons where the Cyclones were on the cusp of something...but who's knows what the Fall will bring.

Ed Hurta works his way through trouble in the 1st inning vs. Texas Thunder June 19, 2017

Morua Brilliant, Cyclones Batter Panther 12-1

June 15, 2017 -  The bats of the Cyclones offense finally came alive as they easily took care of the Panthers to advance in the Spring 2017 HHL Playoffs.  After a 1-2-3 first inning, the Cyclones batted around sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring 5 runs, led by Ed Hurta's inning opening solo HR.  Delvin Hudson, Mark McDowell, and Dave McBride all had RBI singles and Jorge Atencio had an RBI base-on-balls.

The score would remain 5-0 until the 5th inning when JR Morua ran into his toughest inning aided by some shaky Cyclones defense but escaped allowing only 1 run.  But the Cyclones quickly answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the 5th when Jorge Atencio reached on a single, stole 2nd, moved over to 3rd on a ground out and score on a sacrifice fly by Dan Dantche.

The Cyclones would put the game away for good in the bottom of the 7th inning as they scored another 6 runs (5 with 2 out) capped by Dave McBride's 3-run HR to left field.

But the other story was on the mound.  JR Morua was brilliant, hurling 7 innings, allowing only 1 unearned run on only 3 hits while striking out 5 for the complete game W.

Pitchers Duel Goes Way Of Thunder, Edge Cyclones 4-2

June 6, 2017 -  Short on pitching, Dean Cosme knew he had to go the distance in their opening game of the Spring 2017 Playoffs.  Cosme gave up an unearned run in the top of the first innings and the score remained 1-0 until the Cyclones struck back in the 5th inning when Ray Mariano drove in the tying run to make it 1-1.  The next inning, the Cyclones would strike again and go ahead 2-1 on a Dan Dantche RBI single.  The lead would hold until the 8th inning when Cosme began to tire and allowed the tying and go ahead runs.  Cosme would allow another run in the 9th inning finishing the game on the losing side sending the Cyclones into the losers round of the playoffs.

Ray Mariano smacks a single vs. Texas Thunder June 6, 2017

Cyclones Come Out Flat, Fall To Generals 9-3

May 30, 2017 -  With nothing really to play for, having clinched the #3 seed in the Spring Playoffs, the Spring Cyclones came out raking against the Generals. In the first inning of the game, the Cyclones plated 3 runs on 3 consecutive triples (team record).  However, from there, the Cyclones fell flat and the Generals settled down and stifled the Cyclones the rest of the way.

Mgr. Dean Cosme, who started on the mound for the Cyclones, had his worst start in 3 seasons allowing 6 runs (5 earned) on 10 hits over 5 innings.

Dean Cosme in full wind up vs. Generals May 30, 2017

Cosme, Hurta Lead Cyclones Over Panthers 8-6

May 19, 2017 -  Mgr. Dean Cosme started on the mound for the Cyclones and was solid for 5 innings before the defense began to falter.  Cosme removed himself from the game in favor of Ed "Da Big Hurt" Hurta who quickly shutdown the rally and held off the Panthers the seal the victory for Cosme and the Cyclones.

Meanwhile, Hurta also led the team offensively, stroking 2 hits including a triple while driving in 3 runs and also scoring twice.  Also helping out offensively was Dave McBride (2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 RUN), Ray Mariano (2-3, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 RUN) and Joselito Paniagua (2-2, 1 HBP, 2 RUNS).  Jorge Atencio was his usual sparkplug self going 1-3, with a walk, a double, an RBI, 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases to boot.

Dean Cosme take and at bat during game vs. Panthers May 18, 2017

Hurta Hurls Complete Game For 5-1 Victory Over Twins

May 17, 2017 -  Call it the Ed Hurta & The Cyclones show.  Hurta tossed 8 strong innings vs. the Houston Twins on Wednesday night striking out 7 on his way to a complete game victory.  Along with the 8 innings pitched, Hurta also went 4-4 (2 doubles) at the plate driving in 2 and scoring twice.  Also providing assistance was Thomas Ramirez, who went 3-4, driving in 2 and stealing a base.  But his biggest assist came in the 5th inning when with a runner on first and 2 out, the Twins hit a double into the left field corner.  The runner on first attempted to score but Ramirez unleashed a laser beam of a throw to nail the runner at home to end the inning and the threat.

Ed Hurta takes his lead at third during game vs. Twins May 16, 2017

Defensive alignment (feat. Mark McDowell at 1B and Ray Mariano at 2B) vs. Twins May 16, 2017

Yankees Clobber Mistake Prone Cyclones 17-6

May 13, 2017 -  Another Night, another game, another 7 errors.  This time though, there would be no heroic comeback.  No walk-off.  No tale to tell the grandchildren.  Just a poor all around performance from the Spring Cyclones.  After holding the Yankees to only 2 runs in the 1st inning after back-to-back to start off the game nearly doomed the Cyclones from the start, the Cyclones came charging back in the bottom of the first with 3 runs of their own to take a 3-2 lead.  The Cyclones would actually go up 4-2 in the second before the wheels began to slowly come off.

in the top of the 3rd inning, the Cyclones allowed 4 runs (2 unearned), all self inflicted to cough up the lead 6-4.  Not to be outdone, in the 4th inning, the Cyclones allowed another 6 runs among 3 more errors to safely give up the game.  The lone bright spot of the night came from Ed Hurta who smashed a 2-run bomb down the left field line.

Dave McBride Awaits the pitch vs. Yankees May 12, 2017

Cyclones Walk-Off Red Sox With 4 Run 9th Inning

May 11, 2017 -  On a night with a full moon and the Cyclones down 10-9 in the bottom of the 9th, with runners on 1st & 3rd, Jorge Atencio stepped up to the plate with the idea to get a hit to tie the game and keep the train moving.  Jorge did better than that.  He laced a 2 RBI double into deep left center field that plated both runners and won the game for the Cyclones 11-10 over the Red Sox.

The game started ominously enough with the Cyclones defense not playing up to Little League standards and starting pitcher Dean Cosme the beneficiary of "no-luck" defense.  After allowing 3 runs in the first and another 4 in the 2nd, it seemed as though the Cyclones were well on their way to coughing up a terrible loss to the first place Red Sox.  However, in the bottom of the first, the offense showed they had a pulse and plated 2 runs on 3 extra base hits. The Cyclones would score again in the 3rd inning making the score 7-3.

At this point, the defense snapped out of their moonlit spell and Dean and the team cruised for 3 innings, all the while, the Cyclones chipped away at the Red Sox' lead but scoring 2 in the 4th and 5th innings tying the game at 7 after 5 innings. The in the 6th inning, Cosme would allow a run and another 2 in the 7th inning. A Red Sox pitching change later and the Cyclones were staring a 10-7 deficit heading into the 9th inning.  In the 9th, newcomer Aaron Ohimai stroked his 2nd hit of the game starting what would become the first of 5 consecutive hits with no outs leading all the way to Jorge Atencio's dramatic walk-off double.

Full moon over Houston May 10, 2017

Futile Cyclones Battle Back To Tie 2-2

May 7, 2017 - 13 runners left on base. 0-8 with runners in scoring position.  Opportunities abound.  This game, by all accounts, should have been a blowout.  But it wasn't.  It was a nail-biter through and through.  JR Morua pitched out of a bases loaded situation in the first inning.  From there, except for one small hiccup in the 3rd inning (2 run HR), JR cruised the other 5 innings.  JR pitched a gem of a game except for that 2 batter sequence in the 3rd.

On the other side of the coin, the Spring Cyclones missed multiple opportunities to score.  The Cyclones left the bases loaded in the 1st, 2nd and 5th innings.  They left 2 runners in scoring position in the 4th along with others in the 3rd and 7th innings.  The Cyclones were able to scratch across 2 runs on the wild arm of the Indians final pitcher as he allowed a bases loaded walk to give the Cyclones their first run and threw a wild pitch in the final inning to allow the 2nd and tying run to score.

JR Morua with the delivery vs. Indians May 7, 2017

 
Dan Dantche reaches safely vs. Indians May 7, 2017

Colt 45's Take Wind Out Of Cyclones Sails, Beat 'Em 6-0

Apr 28, 2017 - The Spring Cyclones garnered only 1 hit in shutout loss to Colt 45's.  Ed Hurta broke up the no-hitter in the 6th inning on an infield hit.  The Cyclones had other chances to get runs on the board but with runners on base, failed to get the hit needed to drive them in.

Dan Dantche looks in for the sign vs. Colt 45's April 25 2017

Cyclones Breeze By Hooks 22-7

Apr 27, 2017 - The plan rarely never changes.  Attack pitches in the strike zone early, get on base, score early and as often as possible. Well, the Cyclones did just that on Tuesday, scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning to go ahead 4-0. However, the Cyclones would allow the Hooks to get back in the game with walks and a mental error that led to the Hooks scoring 6 runs over a span of 2 innings.  Cyclones starter was wildly effective, striking out 10 batters in 4 innings while also walking 7 in that span.  A misjudged fly ball in the outfield during the top half of the 4th inning led to a bases clearing triple that tied the game at 6.

It was at this point where things went the Cyclones way for good.  The Cyclones would solidify the win by scoring 12 runs in the bottom of the 4th inning and sending 18 batters to the plate.  All the runs would score after 2 outs and since the Cyclones were batting 10, almost batted around twice in the inning.  Overall, everyone scored at least 1 run and reach base safely via hit or walk at least once. The 22 runs scored by the Cyclones are the most since April Fool's Day 2012 when the Cyclones scored 33 runs on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in North Houston against the Tomball Barons.  That day, 4 Cyclones records were set that are still team records.

Edward Hurta delivers the pitcher vs. Hooks April 25, 2017

Morua Goes Distance, Cyclones Top Thunder 6-4

Apr 24, 2017 - Ryan Werda came to the plate in the bottom of the 6th inning Sunday afternoon, already having gone 0-2 and not particularly liking his chances for his third at-bat.  But Werda instead laced a curve ball over the right fielders head for a 2 RBI Double that gave the Cyclones the lead.  Werda would come around to score on Joselito Paniagua's RBI triple that followed. Newcomer Delvin Hudson would plate Paniagua with his 2nd single of the day.

The other story of the day belongs to JR Morua, who pitched 7 strong innings for the complete game victory over the Thunder.  JR struck out 7, walked 3, while allowing 4 runs (2 earned) to earn the W.

JR Morua during outing vs. Texas Thunder April 23, 2017

Ryan Werda awaits the pitch vs. Texas Thunder April 23, 2017

Edward Hurta takes his lead at 2nd vs. Texas Thunder April 23, 2017

Ramirez, Cosme Lead Cyclones Over Marauders 9-4

Apr 11, 2017 - Doubles were the name of the game on Sunday as the Spring Cyclones hit 5 doubles en route to a 9-4 victory over the Marauders.  Thomas Ramirez continued his hot start to the season going 2-5 2-2B, 2 RBI.  He was matched in the doubles department by Joselito Paniagua who broke out Sunday with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored.  Alex Collazo also made his return to the Cyclones felt as he went 3-4 with 1 BB, 1 R & 2 RBI.  Alex suffered an ankle injury as he stole home during the playoffs last season. 

Mgr Dean Cosme started on the bump for the Cyclones and went the distance hurling 8 innings allowing 7 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) while striking out 3, walking 1 and hitting 2 batters.  Cosme also helped out at the plate and he had a sacrifice bunt that lead to a run as well as an RBI double later in the game.

Alex Collazo scores during the 7th inning vs. Marauders

Dan Dantche and Dave McBride in the middle of a discussion during game vs. Marauders Apr 9, 2017

John Richardson takes his lead while 1st Baseman Joe Banasik awaits the pitch Apr 9, 2017

Cyclones Flat, Fall To Diablos 6-1

Apr 5, 2017 - Facing the reigning League Champions, the Cyclones hoped to make a good impression coming off a stellar Fall playoffs.  However, the Diablos had other plans as they stifled the Cyclones for 7 innings before allowing the lone Cyclones run in the 8th and final inning.

Several Cyclones players chat it up before taking the field vs. The Diablos Apr 4, 2017


JR Looks in for the sign vs. the Diabos Apr 4, 2017

Cyclones Win Opener Via Forfeit

Apr 3, 2017 - The Spring Cyclones were gifted their first win of the season by the Hooks as they were unable to field a team for yesterday's Opening Game.  The forfeit means the Cyclones are 1-0!  The Cyclones next face the Diablos, last season's Champions, on Tuesday night.

Full Schedule Posted/Roster Complete

Mar 28, 2017 - Our full schedule has been posted to https://teams.siplay.com/804608/Schedule Our schedule page has been updated with the new info as well.  And as always, games, times and locations are subject to change on short notice.

Also, last week, the Cyclones added Delvin Hudson to our roster. Delvin is an infielder b y nature but can also help out in the outfield i a pinch.  Welcome to the Spring Cyclones Delvin!

Partial Schedule Posted

Mar 22, 2017 - A partial game schedule has been posted on www.houstonhardballleague.com.  Our schedule page has been updated with the new info.  And as always, games, times and locations are subject to change on short notice.

Roster Almost Complete

Mar 5, 2017 - The Spring Cyclones took part in this season's Spring tryouts/draft and walked away with OF/2B Ray Mariano as their lone pick in an otherwise small draft class. Earlier in the day, Owner/GM/Mgr Dean Cosme also was able to secure the services of C.J. Atkinson to be their starting catcher this season after the departure of longtime Cyclone Gabe Medina.  C.J. is a veteran of the HHL having previously played with the Houston Cardinals in years past.  With these 2 additions, the Cyclones are just about ready for the Spring 2017 season.  There is one roster spot remaining and Cosme looks to have that spot filled within the next week or so.

Spring 2017 Season Is Quickly Approaching

Feb 27, 2017 - With winter finally fading away into Spring, it means its baseball time for everyone!  The Spring 2017 Season of the Houston Hardball League is upon us and it's the annual ritual of drafting new players that bring hope to the new season as roster spots are filled and game begin to play.  This season's free agent tryouts are for the 30+ division will be held this Thursday March 2, 2017 @ Schwartz Park in Houston @ 7:30 pm.  Anyone looking to join a team may register online at www.houstonhardballleague.com or just show up on Thursday night and put on some cleats!