Cyclones 4 Mudcats 3

Field 4 again for Cyclones to start the day. This time the wind was blowing in but not too bad.   Extreme defense and fantastic pitching on both sides. Spring champion Wayne Casper on the mound for the speedy cats was able to get himself out of jams as the Cyclones loaded the bases 3 times in 4 innings only to acquire 2 runs. One of those times the captain of cyclones walked back to the dugout hearing the words 'venticuatro, venticuatro'.  But all was not lost. The stellar pitching and great defense helped keep the game close until the 6th when the Cyclones scored twice as many runs as either team had at the time to go up 4-2. Time still hadn't expired at the end of 6 so to the 7th we went. More great defense and outstanding pitching finally put the Cats to sleep. Truly a team win.

Charles Lachman 0-1 ,2BB, 2 Runs. Another fantastic leadoff performance.

Ariel Rodriguez 2-2 1 1B, 1 2B, 1SF, 1 Run, 1 RBI Killing it at the plate and the mound. Holding that team to 3 runs. Crazy!

Cyclones 12 Crawdads 11

The Cyclones switch over to field 3 after their gritty win earlier. Alfords Crawdads were apparently waiting to snap us in half. The top of the first inning they popped for 4.  Spencer Manz grabs  a single, followed by a Joe Calvano 3B, and Ariel Rodriguez 1B cut the Craw lead in half. The Craw added 3 more runs in 2nd. A lead off single from Chuck Taylor,  a walk from Michael Barth, a single from David Abarca, and then a single from Carlos Lopez scores 1. 7-3 after 2. After the Craw scored 2 more in the 3rd. Joe gets a single and Ariel knocks him in with a 3B. Ariel and the coach have a chat and decide to put in the closer early.  End of 3, 9-4. Cyclones Big Bad Michael Barth takes the hill in the 4th. The Craw gets shut down. 0 for them. Unfortunately, the powerful aura of the closer stymied the Cyclones as well in the 4th. Still stunned in awe of Big Bad Michael Barth, the Craw was shut down again. Over the initial shock of letting the monster loose, the Cyclones got to hitting. Super sub Carlos drops in a single, followed Larry Goldstein drawing a walk, singles by Charles, Spencer, and Joe score 2 and load the bases for Ariel. He rips one to RF that gets by the fielder and Ariel races around the bases for an inside the park grand slam completing a cycle for the day. Evan and Gary drop in singles that allow Big Bad Michael Barth drive in 1 more run before the inning ends. 11-9 Cyclones. The Crawdads strike back with 2 to tie but had a chance for more but were unable to push anymore over with the bases loaded. Bottom 3 up for the Cyclones. After an out, Carlos beats the LCF for a double. Larry Goldstein then flexes his muscles and rips a single to move Carlos over to 3rd. Charles 'Clutch' Lachman steps to plate and smashes one over the RF. Game over. Walk-off. Cyclones win!

POW

Michael Barth came in and shut down the Crawdads, went 2-4, 2 1B, 2BB, 1 RBI (should have had 2 if the guy on second wasn't so slow)

Charles Lachman- 2 -5, 2 1B, 2BB, 2 RBI, 3 Runs. Game Winning hit and constantly getting on base in front of those big bats.

Ariel Rodriguez - fantastic pitching in game 1, hit for the cycle, inside the park GSHR, 7RBI stats speak for themselves, great leadership and fantastic attitude.

Almost forgot the Cyclones fan of the week , special thanks to Justin Reed for inspiring his fellow spring champions in that pivotal 5th inning.