Error Filled Weekend Leads to Split

June 13, 2011 - The Cyclones overcame a 3 error, 4 run 2nd inning this past Saturday to defeat the Conroe Blue Beavers for the 2nd week in a row 12-6. Hector Landin returned to the lineup after several weeks away to go 2-2 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored to lead the charge.  Despite a couple of more errors, the Cyclones were able to keep the Blue Beavers from getting too close.

On Sunday however, 6 more errors helped the Zephyrs sink the Cyclones 7-6.  After touching up the Zephyrs for a pair of runs in the 1st inning, Cody Lott and the Cyclones coughed up the lead giving the Zephyrs a 5-2 lead after one.

The Cyclones came back with another 3 runs in the second to tie the game, but could not keep the game tied as walk and a costly error on a pick off at first cost the Cyclones the lead and eventually the game.  The Zephyrs tacked on another run in the 4th and kept the Cyclones at bay to hold on for the 7-6 victory.

9 Run 7th Inning Leads Cyclones Past Beavers

June 5, 2011 - Stifled for the first 6 innings during Saturday's matchup, the Spring Cyclones woke up in the 7th inning after a Blue Beavers pitching change and erupted for 9 runs on only 4 hits, with the rest of the base runners coming on 6 walks in the inning.  Cyclones starting pitcher Dean Cosme allowed 3 runs in the first inning, overcame being shorthanded and allowed only a 2 runs on 4 hits over the next 6 innings to help the Cyclones defeat the Blue Beavers 12-5

See-Saw Game Goes Way Of The Zephyrs

May 23, 2011 - As baseball games go, this one was as back and forth as it could get.  The Zephyrs score twice in the top of the first, so the Cyclones scored twice in the top of the first.  The Zephyrs score three times in the 3rd, the Cyclones scored once in the third.  The Zephyrs scored once in the 5th, the Cyclones score twice in the 5th and once in the 6th.  6-6 tie after 6 innings.  But the momentum would not go the way of the Cyclones today.  In the top of the 8th, the Zephyrs scored twice to take an 8-6 lead.

In the bottom of the 8th, the Cyclones managed to get runners on 1st and 2nd with one out.  Cody Lott, who had started on the mound for the Cyclones, was on 2nd when he attempted to steal third with one out.  He was called out on a close play at third.  Joe Banasik promptly walked to put runners on 1st and 2nd again.  Mgr Dean Cosme worked the count to 3-2 before ripping a line drive to left to end the game.

Cyclones Avenge Loss, Top 51's 11-7

May 15, 2011 - Jason Phelps is in another stratosphere.  On Saturday, Jason continued his assault on offense going 2-4 with a double and a home run, driving in 5 runs and scoring twice.  His first inning double emptied the bases and started the scoring.  His 2-run home run in the second inning capped off a 6-run inning that gave the Cyclones a 10-3 lead after 2 innings.

Dean Cosme, started for the Cyclones and went 5 innings allowing 5 runs.  Ryan Werda came on in relief of Cosme and continued his stellar pitching going 2 innings an not allowing a run.

Cody Lott, taking a tune up inning, allowed 2 runs which should never have been the case when his second strikeout of the inning reached first on a wild pitch that was mishandled.

Being a lot more patient, the Cyclones were able to draw more walks this week, leading to more base runners that as evidenced by the first two innings of the game, came around to score.  3 out of 4 walks in the first inning came around to score.  In the second inning, all 3 walks allowed came around to score.  After that, the 51's changed pitchers and the scoring settled down.

Comeback Fizzles As Cyclones Fall To 51's 7-5

May 7, 2011 - 51's Manager Richard Caldwell is also their #1 pitcher.  And this past Saturday, he was the crafty veteran pitcher who skillfully weaved his way through a very talented Cyclones lineup.  Limiting the Cyclones to 2 runs on 5 hits over 7 innings, he tamed the storm. 

On the other hand, his relief pitcher almost coughed up the lead and the game, but was able to work out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth and finished it off in the ninth to cap off the win.

Cyclones first baseman Jason Phelps continued his torrid season with another hit, RBI and two more walks to raise his average to .474.

Missed Opportunities Underscore 6-2 Loss

May 2, 2011 - When you read the box score of a baseball game, you can usually tell a lot about the game.  In the Cyclones 6-2 loss to the Tomball Barons on Sunday night, one stat tells the story like no other.  It's so LOUD and GLARING that it's hard to miss.  In most cases, it's not even mentioned in amateur baseball, but in this case I had to speak up about it.  It yelled at me to do so.  The Spring Cyclones left 17 runners on base over 8 innings.  Let me spell it out - SEVENTEEN.  The Cyclones left the bases loaded 4 times and each time failed to score a run.

While you cannot take away the fact that the Barons starting pitcher pitched a great game and was highly effective, there is however, some blame goes to the Cyclones.  As a team, they failed to execute.  The top of the batting order loaded the bases three times and failed to score.  The bottom of the order was just as ineffective.  Loading the bases once and having runners in scoring position two others and failed to score.

Again, though, let's give credit where credit is due.  When they needed it and had to bear down, the Barons pitchers came through.  It's not easy to work with runners in scoring position every inning and only give up 2 runs.  It's not easy to give up 7 hits, 8 walks and your defense commit 5 errors and still walk away with a 6-2 victory.  Those things are not easy to do.  It's also not easy for the team on the receiving end of those kinds of benefits to cough up and swallow.

Inside The Park Grand Slam Caps Victory For Cyclones

Apr 18, 2011 - It's almost halfway through the regular season and by the looks of things, the Cyclones seem to be doing well.  But if you look a little deeper, you might not think so.  This past Sunday's game is a fine example of not exactly firing on all cylinders.  For the first four innings, the 51's stifled the Cyclones.  The Cyclones were flailing at slow fast balls and slower curves.  The 51's were making quick work of the lineup and charging ahead.

But not to be deterred, starting pitcher Cody Lott was bringing it and bring it hard.  Lott's curve ball was falling off the table.  His fastball was like a blazing boulder, fast and heavy.  Lott's only slip in seven innings of work was a fastball to the 51's #3 hitter who crushed it to right field for a home run.  Other than that, Lott struck out nine and walked only one.

Offensively, the Cyclones finally started to crank the engine in the 5th inning. After the Cyclones loaded the bases, Ryan Werda who's gotten off to a slow start this season, slapped a bases clearing double into right-center field.

The Cyclones then broke the game open in the 7th inning plating 5 runs with a total team effort with walks, HBP's and timely hits.  But the icing on the cake came in the 8th inning when with the bases loaded, Jason Phelps roped a shot into center field where the centerfielder misjudged his distance from the ball and dove, missing the ball and allowing Phelps to round the bases and record an inside-the-park grand slam.

Cyclones Keep Heat On Ice

Apr 10, 2011 - After starting the season with what some would call a slump, Ryan Werda seemed perplexed by his prolonged ineffectiveness.  But in the top of the 6th inning, Werda figured it all out hitting long deep fly ball over the Tomball Sports Association Scoreboard in right field for his first HR of the season.

The Cyclones scored at least one run in each inning except for the first and each batter in the lineup scored at least one run each.  Jared Donahue started on the mound for Cyclones and got the win despite not having his best stuff.  Donahue struck out 9 batters but also walked 9 batters although in defense of Donahue, the umpire and his own catcher did not help his cause.

Offensively, the Cyclones broke out of their funky slump and pounded Heat pitching for 16 runs including 3 doubles and 2 home runs.

Heat, Cyclones Simmer To A Draw

Apr 4, 2011 - Playing from behind the entire game, the Spring Cyclones managed to squeeze out a tie against the expansion Texas Heat.  The Cyclones fell behind the Heat 2-0 in the top half of the first inning on a couple of base hits but cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first.  Two innings later the Cyclones tied the game at two, but the score wouldn't hold up as the Heat posted a pair an inning later.

Trailing 4-2, Cyclones starting pitcher Cody Lott took matters into his own hands by attempting to steal third base in the 6th inning.  The gamble paid off as the throw went into the outfield and Lott got the Cyclones within one run.

In their last at-bat though the Cyclones weren't done.  After one out, Keith Marion reached on a walk.  Then Mgr Dean Cosme took a check swing ball 4 to make it to first.  Justin Keith popped to first for the second out.  Cody Lott also walked to load the bases.  Ryan Harris battled and finally won the battle with an infield hit to the hole at short plating the tying run. After the hit, the Cyclones failed to score with the bases loaded and took the tie.

Donahue, Cyclones Shutdown Barons

Mar 28, 2011 - Jared Donahue made his first start for the Cyclones on Sunday and did not disappoint.  Donahue struck out 15 batters over 5 innings in a 6-0 combined shutout over the Tomball Barons.  Pitting rookie left handed starters against each other, the Barons were never really able to muster up any offense against the Cyclones.

The Cyclones came out of the gate fast, plating 3 runs in the top of the first but were slowed down after that until the 5th inning where they added another run and then 2 more in the 7th.  The Cyclones were playing shorthanded and many thanks go out to the four Aces from the HHL who came early to play with us and help us out.  Thanks Mike, Russ, Don and Brian.

Cyclones Spank Beavers

Mar 20, 2011 - The NHWBL Spring 2011 season got off to a great start for the Spring Cyclones.  They defeated the Conroe Blue Beavers 15-3 to begin the spring campaign.  Playing at Covenant Christian School for the first time, the two teams were quiet for the first couple of innings before the Cyclones struck with their first run of the season.  One inning later, they struck again, but this time they opened the floodgates for a 10-run 2-out rally.

Cody Lott started on the mound for the Cyclones and was sharp and efficient as he worked up and down the lineup, allowing only one unearned run while striking out 4.  Newcomer Jared Donahue took over the Lott and promptly struck out the side consecutively in back-to-back innings.

Offensively, the Cyclones took advantage of every little mistake the Beavers made and made them pay.  With one out in the 4th, Woody reached on an error.  One out later, the barrage began.  The Cyclones batted 15 batters once all was said and done in the 4th.  The added another run in the 5th and in the 6th, Jason Phelps tacked on another 2 runs with a big two run home run to left field. 

One unfortunate incident on Saturday happened when one of the relief pitchers for the Beavers, while pitching what was to be the top of the 8th inning, suffered a broken right arm following a pitch to the third batter of the inning.  Play was halted and the game was declared final as time had already expired.

Spring 2011 Is Upon The Horizon

Mar 11, 2011 - With the Spring 2011 Tryouts just days away, the image of the Spring 2011 Season can be seen coming up on the horizon.  The Official Opening Day for the NHWBL Spring 2011 Season is Mar 19, 2011.  This season promises to be the most competitive and finest one yet for the NHWBL and with any luck, the Spring Cyclones will be a dominant factor in the landscape of the season.

Tryouts for Spring 2011

Feb 17, 2011 - Tryouts for the Spring 2011 NHWBL Season will be held March 13th @ 2pm in Tomball at Tomball City Park.  All persons looking to participate in the upcoming season who are not currently on a roster should plan on attending the tryouts.

Spring 2011 Season Begins March 20

Jan 19, 2011 - The North Houston Wood Bat League has announced March 20, 2011 as Opening Day for the Spring 2011 NHWBL Season.  With exactly 2 months to go before the start of the season, the Spring Cyclones have a lot of work to do to fill the roster and prepare for the upcoming season.

Tryouts for the NHWBL Spring Season will be held March 6 with a time and location TBA. Check back here or on www.nhwbl.com for more info regarding the upcoming tryouts for the Spring 2011 season.