The Cyclones got another Skyway Conference win in a split with Morton College, losing the first game 9-5 before bouncing back with a 12-8 win.
GAME 1
This game was scoreless until the fourth inning when the Cyclones scored and held a four-run lead until the final inning.
Jack Hoh (1-for-4) got the offense going in the fourth with a double replicated by the next batter Dimitri Spatharakis (2-for-4) who scored him. Ethan Lopez (1-for-3) knocked in another run with a double of his own.
They added more runs in the fifth after two outs. Augustus White (1-for-3) and Niko Mastoras (1-for-4) singled while Christian Rosales walked to load the bases. The next two batters got out before Lopez walked to score one run. Then Xavier Aguilar (2-for-4) singled to score two more runs.
The Panthers scored on a string of singles in the bottom of the fifth and more hits in the seventh to tie the game. An unfortunately timed three-run homerun in the eighth ended the game and the Cyclones chances.
GAME 2
With the Cyclones' ace pitcher on the mound – Aguilar (seven strikeouts) – they were able to bounce back in the nightcap.
The Cyclones offense lit up, tallying seven runs in their first at-bat. Mastoras (1-fo-3, RBI) and Spatharakis walked and Hoh (2-for-5, 2 RBIs) singled to load the bases before Lopez (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) doubled in two runs with no outs. Emmet Barry (1-for-4, 3 RBIs) grounded out but still scored another run. After Christian Cardenas was hit by a pitch, Arnoldo Velazquez (1-for-3, RBI) knocked in another run with an RBI single. Austin Zernia got on base from a walk before Rosales (2-for-5, 3 RBIs) hit a two-run single followed by Mastoras who doubled in the seventh run.
In the third inning up 7-2, Zernia started the at-bat with a walk. After two outs, Hoh launched one over the fence to make it 9-2.
The Panthers inched back with a few more runs to come within three, but Rosales hurled a homerun of his own in the top of the fifth. With two runners on later that inning from walks, Barry hit two-run single to stretch their lead 12-6.
The Panthers hit another two-run homerun in the seventh, but it wasn't enough to stop the Cyclones.