PERFECTION DENIED!
Marauders end Cyclones unbeaten streak to win Spring 2023 35+ Championship

July 31, 2023 - If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. On Sunday afternoon, the reality become that it wasn't meant to be. After having their on-field loss reversed due to an ineligible player participating in the playoff game the week before, the Houston Cyclones faced the Marauders in a rematch of the Championship Game from the Fall 2022 season.

Manager Dean Cosme started for the Cyclones and while the first two innings were scoreless, Cosme struggled with his command and allowed 2 runs in the 3rd.  A quick and scoreless 4th inning led to Cosme to go back out for the 5th inning.  Staked to a 7-2 lead, Cosme would finish the inning but not with the lead he started it with.  After allowing the first two batters to reach, Cosme quickly recorded the next two outs.  After inducing a ground ball to what seemed to be the end of the inning, the batter beat the throw for an RBI infield single and the inning continued. Another single and an outfield error allowed another two runs to score before the inning came to a close with the Cyclones holding on to a precarious 7-5 lead.

Albert Van Dellen relieved Cosme in the 6th and after a relatively quiet inning, was betrayed by his defense in 7th.  Overall, three runs were allowed and the lead was lost. The Marauders would add two runs in the 8th and 9th innings to all but secure their victory.  Meanwhile, the Cyclones who had scored seven runs in the first five innings were held scoreless for the next four innings. In the end, the Marauders defeated the Houston Cyclones 10-7 to capture the Spring 2023 35+ Championship.

Dre Vappie begins his swing during the Championship Game vs. the Marauders July 30, 2023

IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER
Playoff Game forfeit by the Expos keeps Cyclones title quest alive

July 24, 2023 - It should have been a disappointing loss for the Cyclones. Instead, an ineligible player in the Expos lineup Sunday forced the Expos to forfeit their upset victory over the Cyclones.  What should have been a 6-4 loss, turned into a W and a chance for another Championship.

Rudy Casanova lines a single during the playoffs vs. the Expos July 23, 2023

MIGHTY MIKUS
Jonathan Mikus' bat, glove lead Cyclones over the Astros 9-3 to complete 10-0 regular season

June 25, 2023 - With the Houston Cyclones leading the Astros 2-1 in the bottom of the 4th inning, Jonathan Mikus, whose season has not gone the way he had hoped, came to the plate with the bases loaded and 1 out. He roped a double to the fence in left center to clear the bases and he took thrid on the throw home.  In one AB, Jonathan wiped away a lost season and gave the Cyclones a 4 run lead that they would increase to 6 and would not relinquish.

But it was not only the Jonathan show at the plate, but on the field as well as he was involved in 7 out of 24 outs recorded on Sunday including showing some nifty defense and a strong arm. The benefactor of this was starting pitcher Dean Cosme who allowed 3 runs on 9 hits over 7 innings for his 6th victory of the season. The Cyclones finished the regular season 10-0 with the playoffs firmly in their sight.

Jonathan Mikus lines a 3-run double vs. Astros June 25, 2023

MIGO-NIFICENT
Banda goes the distance, striking out 16 along the way to Cyclones 7-3 victory

May 22, 2023 - When a pitcher has a performance such as the one Migo Banda put together on Sunday afternoon, congratulations are in order and high-fives are endless, along with the standard "good game", "good game", "good game" remarks and fist bumps. But one person that tends to get overlooked in such a performance is the pitcher's battery mate, the catcher. In this case, Juan Zuniga.  Juan's game calling this past Sunday was on point and allowed Migo to achieve the 16 K performance that he accomplished.  The Cyclones were without 4 of their pitchers, and were also missing 2 of their bigger bats in the lineup.  Migo understood the assignment.  Migo and Juan executed the game plan to near perfection.

Migo was virtually lights out through the first 5 innings, allowing only 3 base runners to reach. Migo hit a little biut of a wall in the 6th inning as he lost his command and walked 2 batters after allowing a 1 out single.  Then the defense failed for Migo and the Cyclones allowed 3 runs to score in the inning. But Migo would rebound in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings to overcome additional lapses in defense and insure the 7-3 victory.

Migo Banda about to throw a fastball vs. Houston Hurricanes April 2, 2023

THE SAUCE OF VICTORY
Rivas, Rios and Granados lead Cyclones past Rangers 6-1

May 8, 2023 - Alfredo "Sauce" Rivas pitched 4 solid innings in a rain shortened game to lead the Cyclones to a 6-1 victory over the Rangers. Rivas pitched 2 perfect innings before walking a batter and allowing 2 hits and a run. But Rivas was able to get it back quickly and only allowed the one run in the third inning. Rivas pitched a scoreless 4th inning before the rain started to come down at a steady pace. The game was stopped in the 5th inning due to lightning and while the teams came off the field and waited, the rain began coming down harder and the umpires finally called the game.

On the offensive side of the ball, Josh Granados and Hector Rios each had run scoring doubles in the 2nd inning as part of a 4 run inning. The Cyclones would score an additional run in each of the next 2 innings and claim the rain shortened victory. The Cyclones move to 8-0 on the season with 2 games left to play.

Josh Granados mashes an RBI double during game vs. Rangers May 7, 2023

CYCLONES POWER PAST EXPOS
BJ Galvan homers and doubles in 12-8 win of over division rivals

May 1, 2023 - An error one batter into the game made it seem as though the day was going to be long.  After one half inning of play though, starting pitcher Dean Cosme and the Cyclones were able to keep the damage to a 2-0 deficit. In the bottom of the 1st inning however, the Cyclones didn't flinch.  After Guy Koenig doubled down the left field line and Juan Zuniga singled to make it 1st and 3rd with 2 out, BJ Galvan stepped to the plate. On a 1-0 Fastball, BJ swung and hit a deep fly to left where it would clear the fence for a 3-run Home Run to give the Cyclones a 3-2 lead. It was BJ's first HR as a Cyclone in 5 seasons. 

In the bottom of the 2nd, Albert Van Dellen led off the inning with a double to center field and would score on a bases loaded RBI walk by Juan Zuniga. The Expos would score 2 in the top 3rd to tie the game and another in the 4th to go ahead 5-4. The Cyclones would answer back in the bottom of the 4th as consecutive sac flies by Justin Putnal and Juan Zuniga drove in Rudy Casanova and Guy Koenig, respectively.  Rudy and Guy had consecutive singles to start the inning. In the 5th inning however, the Cyclones would open extend their lead and not look back as they sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring 6 runs in all capped by a 2 run double for Justin and an RBI double for BJ. From here, Dean Cosme would weave in and out of trouble for the next few innings and hold off the Expos to complete the game and the seal the 12-8 victory. The Cyclones move t0 7-0 on the season and look to the Rangers in their next game.

BJ Galvan takes a hack during game vs. Expos April 30, 2023

CYCLONES SINK MARAUDERS
Offense overcomes shaky pitching to keep unbeaten streak alive

April 24, 2023 - The Cyclones fell behind early in the game as the Marauders took a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on the strength of a 2-run HR from their starting catcher. The Cyclones fought back, immediately scoring a pair of runs themselves aided by a 2 base error from the pitcher attempting to pick off a outfielder Ruben Gomez from second base. A single, a double and a sacrifice later and the score is 3-2 after 1 inning.

In the 3rd inning, two errors led to another 2 run HR from the Marauders catcher as well as 2 more runs to make it 7-2 after 2-1/2 innings.  But once again the Cyclones came roaring back as they themselves also scored 4 runs in their half of the inning on 5 hits, including 4 consecutive, 1 sac fly and a balk which aided in the scoring. The score was now 7-6 after 3 innings.

Albert Van Dellen relieved starter Justin Putnal and threw 2 scoreless innings for the Cyclones and was poised to get the win when the Cyclones plated another 3 runs in the bottom of the 4th once again aided by run scoring balk.  The Cyclones had take a 9-7 lead after 5 complete innings. But in the 6th innings, manager Dean Cosme took the mound with the hopes of keeping the game close and turning it back to the offense to widen the lead and insure victory. But it didn't quite work out that way as Cosme was affected by poor mound conditions as were the other pitchers today and was unable to keep the lead handed to him by his offense. While he was able to secure a quick first out, he would load the bases on 2 hits and a walk before giving up his first run of the innings on a fielder's choice up the middle. Another fielders choice, followed by an error and a hit gave the Marauders an 11-9 lead heading into what became the final inning.

In the last inning, the Cyclones would take advantage of errors and uncharacteristic wildness from the Marauders pitcher to plate 5 runs capped off by Dre Vappie's 2 RBI single to make it 14-11 before time ran out and the game was called.  The Cyclones ran their streak to 6-0 on the season and 11 in a row dating back to last season.

STORM SWEEP!!!
Cyclones crush the 40+ Angels (13-3) and double up on the 40+ Canes (12-6)

April 3, 2023 - For the first time in a long time, the Cyclones were near full strength as they played a double header for the first time since the Fall 2022 season. In this Interleague twin bill, the Cyclones took on the 40+ Angels in game 1 and the 40+ Hurricanes in game 2.  In game 1, the Cyclones high powered offense came out swinging as they put up a 4 spot to begin the game.  The offense wouldn't stop there as they totaled 13 runs across the full 9 inning affair. Leading the way for the Cyclones was newcomer Migo Banda who had 3 hits in 5 at-bats along with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI and 2 stolen bases to top it all off. 11 out of 15 batters to appear in the lineup had at least one hit and 10 players scored at least once.  Also having big days at the plate were BJ Galvan (3-4, 1 R, 2 RBI), Craig Baser (2-3, 1 BB, 1 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI), Guy Koenig (2-4, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB), Ruben Gomez (2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI) and Kyle Keena (2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI).

On the bump, starting pitcher Dean Cosme, held the Angels to 2 runs on 4 hits over 7 innings turning in his second consecutive quality start.  Reliever Albert Van Dellen continued his strong season allowing only 1 run on 2 hits over 2 innings.

In the nightcap, the Cyclones took on their rival stormbringers, the 40+ Houston Hurricanes. This finish of this game would be very different than the last time these two teams faced. The last time they squared off, the Hurricanes blew the Cyclones off the field with an 98-1 drubbing.  This time, the Cyclones were determined not to let history repeat itself.  Starting pitcher Justin Putnal, seeking to avenge his only loss last Fall, began the game shaky walking the first batter of the game and ultimately allowing 2 runs to score. But the Cyclones had his back and plated 7 runs to take the lead after one inning. The rest of the way, the Hurricanes would begin to chip away at the score plating 1 run in the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th innings, but the Cyclones would not break as they added 2 runs in the 2nd and for insurance, added 2 more runs in the 6th inning on a  to close the scoring for a 12-6 final over the Hurricanes.

Josh Grandos and BJ Galvan getting hits during game vs. 40+ Angels April 2, 2023 (Game 1)

Migo Banda delivers a pitch during game vs. 40+ Houston Hurricanes April 2, 2023 (Game 2)

PITCHING AND DEFENSE LEAD CYCLONES OVER RANGERS
Cyclones remain unbeaten, Rangers remain winless

March 27, 2023 - A scoreless tie was broken up by Craig Baser hit a HR to dead centerfield to make it a 1-0 game. Starting pitcher Dean Cosme promptly served up a game tying HR to the opposing pitcher the next inning, but got out of the inning without further damage.  Cosme would pitch another 2 innings, working out of a bases loaded 1-out jam in the 6th. Albert Van Dellen would relieve Cosme in the 7th and close out the game but not before he himself ran into the same trouble Cosme did 2 innings earlier.

Newcomer Josh Granados got in on the action in the 5th inning by smacking a lead off triple and subsequently scoring on a single by Justin Putnal. But it was in the 6th inning that the Cyclones finally got it going. Guy Koenig roped a single to start the action. He promptly stole second to put himself in scoring position. 2 walks loaded the bases for Kyle Keena who smacked an RBI single that should have scored 2 runs but a good play by the outfielder kept the runner on second from scoring on the play until the Rangers pitcher deflected the ball back into the outfield to allow the runner on third to score. A subsequent HBP led to a bases loaded RBI walk and the Cyclones would score all the runs they would need to secure the win.

CYCLONES OUTLAST MARAUDERS, WIN 10-9
Back and forth game goes the way of the Cyclones as Putnal closes out the W

March 13, 2023 - In a rematch of the Championship game from last Fall, the Cyclones faced the Marauders once again and one again came out on top. After trading 3 run first innings, the Marauders settled down and shut down the Cyclones for the next pair of innings while they capitalized on early mistake by the Cyclones to take a 6-3 lead into the 4th inning. But the Cyclones roared back with 5 runs in the 4th capped off by Alfredo Rivas' 2 run single down the right field line.

Ahead now 10-8 in the final inning, Albert Van Dellen tried to finish off his stellar relief appearance but ran out of gas and Justin Putnal was brought in to close out the game. Justin allowed one inherited runner to score on a sacrifice but finished the game with a strikeout to secure the W and earn the save. Offensively, Justin also went 2 for 2 w/ a double, 2 RBI, 1 R and 1 BB, earning himself Player of the Game honors for Game 2 of the season. Congrats Justin!

TITLE DEFENSE BEGINS WITH A WALK-OFF VICTORY
Tom West drives in winning run after Cyclones cough up 7 run lead

March 6, 2023 - Some wins come easy, some come the hard way. On Sunday, under a beautiful sunny late afternoon sky, the Cyclones appeared to be cruising to an easy victory.  However, that changed quickly as starting pitcher Justin Putnal ran into some trouble in the 4th inning in his start against the Astros to begin the Houston Cyclones title defense. While Justin labored in his start, he still left the game with a chance to win.  The score was 8-7 at this point, having been 8-1 to begin the inning.  Manager Dean Cosme came on in relief of Putnal and cruised through a 1-2-3 inning in the 5th. In the 6th, it seemed as though Cosme would cruise through it again, but he gave up a 1 out single and an error from centerfield sent the runner to 3rd.  The next batter singled to tie the game at 8.

Meanwhile, the offense which pounced early on the Astros, scoring 5 runs in the 1st and 3 run in the 2nd, became uncomfortably silent the next several innings. But that would change in the final inning as returning outfielder Andy Murrell lead the inning off with a line drive single that ricocheted off the shortstop into centerfield. The next batter, BJ Galvan, doubled to deep left field to setup 2nd and 3rd with no one out. Jonathan Mikus was the next batter but before he could settle in the batter's box, he was intentionally walked to setup a bases loaded situation where the defense could get a force out at home on a ground ball. With the infield playing in, Tom West stepped up to the plate for the Cyclones. With a 2-0 count, the Astros pitcher, a familiar foe to the Cyclones, delivered a fastball for a strike that Tom lined towards 3rd.  The Astros third baseman dove to field the hard grounder and threw the ball towards home, wide of the plate and Andy Murrell dove in safely to score the winning run. On this day, the Cyclones won the hard way, but they won nonetheless.

With his performance, going 2 for 2 w/ 2 RBI and scoring the game winning run, Andy Murrell earned Player of the Game. Congrats Andy and welcome back!

Opening Day starter Justin Putnal delivers a fastball vs. Astros March 5, 2023

OPENING DAY IS MARCH 5TH

Jan 16, 2023 - The Houston Hardball League will begin the 2023 campaign on March 5th, 2023 and the Houston Cyclones will take the field that day to begin their title defense in hopes of going back-to-back for the first time in franchise history. The Cyclones will return with mostly the same roster with some improvements that have already committed for the Spring season.

Tryouts for the Spring 2023 season for the 18+,35+ & 55+ divisions will be held on Feb 5th at Meyer Park at 3:00 pm. Tryouts for 30+ & 40+ will be held Feb 9th at Schwartz Park at 7:00 pm.

NEW houstoncyclones.com IS HERE

Jan 1, 2023 - The all-new redesigned houstoncyclones.com website is here. ALl the same features are included with a bit more space to breath. With the new website comes the expectations of a new season and defending the title of Champions. With many of the same players returning with the hopes of adding a few new key pieces, the Spring 2023 Houston Cyclones look forward to the new season and all that it will bring.  New season begins March 5th, so keep watching here for updates on new teams, new players and all things Houston Cyclones.