CYCLONES BACK IN MSBL WS
After success in '24, Cyclones return to Phoenix again

Nov 9, 2025 - After the success the Cyclones experienced in last year's MSBL World Series, the Cyclones were primed to return to make another run at the 40+ title that eluded them last year. However, circumstances dictated that this year, the Cyclones would try their hand at 45+ instead. Those circumstances led to almost half the roster needing to be overhauled. Roster changes are nothing new and for a tournament such as this one, it's expected. Sometimes though, the roster welcomes back players from previous years who weren't able to continue the following year for one reason or another.  Other times, you new players are recruited in the hopes that they are equal or better than what was previously there. And sometimes, you simply have needs to fill. In the case of 2025, 2 players returned who had previously played with the Cyclones in Phoenix and 7 other players were new to the roster. One thing for sure, the chemistry from 2024 was still there in 2025 but with different competition, different results happened.

The Houston Cyclones went 3-3-1 overall (3-2-1 pool play, 0-1 playoffs) for the week, but if not for a misplayed bunt, their record could have looked much better.  The misplayed bunt came during the 10th inning against the Utah Rockies, a game in which at one point looked as though the Cyclones would go down in defeat due to the game being a fairly lopsided affair. The Rockies were ahead 6-1 going into the 6th inning when the Cyclones erupted for 6 runs to take a 7-6 lead going into the 7th. The Cyclones promptly coughed up the lead allowing 4 runs in the top of the 7th. Not to be outdone, the Cyclones roared back with 4 runs of their own in the bottom of the 8th to take a 11-10 lead into the 9th.  After securing the first 2 outs of the inning, the Cyclones allowed the game tying run to score making it a 11-11 tie. By rules, if there is time left on the clock, the game continues for one more inning using "California" rules (ghost runner on 2nd to begin extras). The Cyclones, knowing the situation at hand and moments earlier having a mound meeting to discuss said situation, prepared for a bunt. The bunt was pushed hard towards the mound where manager Dean Cosme played the ball and was going to throw promptly to third when he heard "One, One" and turned to first where he was about to fire the ball but the second baseman was late covering and while trying to lead the second baseman to the bag, threw the ball into right field allowing the go ahead run to score and the lead off runner to reach third base. A single later and the score was now 13-11. Not to be outdone, the Cyclones scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 10th inning as well scoring the tying run on a bases loaded HBP, which meant the Cyclones had a golden opportunity to win the game. But the Rockies pitcher induced a ground ball double play to end the game at 13-13.

Other highlights during the week included Game 1, where the Cyclones were down 13-8 going into the 6th inning and roar back to finish the game 20-13.  Game 3 was the team's stadium game that pitted the Cyclones against their rivals the Baseball BBQ Forkballers. The Cyclones consider the Forkballers their rivals for several reasons including the fact the Forkballers are closely associated with several players on the Cyclones who hail from the same northeastern region of the US, as well as the fact this is the 3rd time in 5 years that the Cyclones will play the Forkballers. Not to mention some disparaging remarks said by the Forkballers manager regarding the Cyclones. The first two meeting between the Forkballers and Cyclones went the way of the Forkballers, so the Cyclones had a lot on the line going into this game. Manager Dean Cosme had the start and knew deep down he had to pitch a good game in order to defeat the Forkballers. Cosme did just that, going 5 innings, allowing 6 runs (3 earned) on 12 hits, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. It helped a whole lot that the Cyclones exploded for 12 runs to back up Cosme's performance that day. At that point it was just a matter of adding to the lead and hoping to hold onto the lead as well. The Cyclones did just that, adding 8 more runs while only allowing 7 more runs to the Forkballers.  Final score 20-13 Cyclones.

Another big highlight came from Frank Manfredy, who besides batting .500 for the week, leading the team in hits (12), tied for the lead in doubles (2) and triples (1) and also lead the team in walks (4), also pitched a complete game against the Colt 45's in a much needed victory for the Cyclones at that point in the week. It was Wednesday and the Cyclones faced a daunting double header the next day, the last day of pool play, and knew that pitching was going to be in short supply for Thursday. But Manfredy delivered a gem of a game. It was the best pitching performance since last year's Game 2 performance by Jim Marconi against the Seattle Royals. A game in which we saw Marconi only allow 2 runs and come up on the wring side of a 2-1 loss. In this game however, Frank Manfredy was brilliant as he only allowed 3 runs (all unearned) in the first inning and nothing the rest of the way. It was a game the Cyclones needed to win and a pitching performance needed at the right time. That game and his performance on offense the entire week earned Frank Manfredy Team MVP honors for the 2025 MSBL World Series Tournament. Congratulations Frank! Well deserved.

SEE SAWED
Offense was on display, but score went the way of the Marauders

Nov 9, 2025 -

BATTERED & BRUISED
Ineffective pitching dooms Cyclones in rematch vs. Stealth

Oct 20, 2025 - No pitcher was safe from the bats of the Stealth yesterday afternoon as 3 pitchers combined to allow 15 runs against the first place Stealth. Andrew Figueroa started the game for the Cyclones but was lifted after 1-2/3 innings. Juan Zuniga, fresh off his Cyclones debut as a starter, lasted 1 inning more than Andrew, but realized a similar fate as Andrew. Finishing up the game was Eddie Baray who was also greeted rudely by the Stealth. On the bright side, Jairo Reyes continues to tear the cover off the ball as he went 2-3 with a HR and 2 RBI.  And Sunday also saw the return of Chad TIneo who in his return to the lineup went 2-3 with a 2B and 1 RBI.  All in all, it was a game no one will want to remember but won't forget anytime soon. With the playoffs not too far in the distant future the Cyclones roster has begun to round into shape with the additions of Chuck Poteet, Blaine Grantham, Drew Torres and Joey Lopez.

Andrew Figueroa delivers a pitch vs. Stealth 10/19/2025

NEW ARMS EMERGE
After the last several weeks of light pitching, players have stepped up to breathe new life into the staff

Oct 13, 2025 - Juan Zuniga was drafted by the Cyclones in the Fall 2021 season with the understanding he was a catcher as well as a pitcher. After 8 seasons, the destiny has been fulfilled. Juan Zuniga took the mound Sunday morning for his first start for the Houston Cyclones. Juan had taken the mound on two previous occasions, both in relief and both in situations where the game was well in control. But now, with the Cyclones going through a stretch where the starting pitching has been a concern, Juan has stepped up and become part of the starting rotation.

On Sunday, Juan started against the Northside Rangers. First start. Medium pressure. Because if he faltered or injured himself, it would set the day back and the defense would be altered. Juan passed his first start with flying colors. 6 innings, 1 run allowed (earned), 2 hits, 2 strikeouts and 2 walks. A very impressive first start. His start was followed up by Andrew Figueroa making his first mound appearance for the Cyclones as well. Andrew's first appearance was also a solid outing.

Andrew also had a good day at the plate for the Cyclones going 2 for 2 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored and a walk. Other notable players were Craig Baser whoe went 3 for 3 with 3 with 3 runs scored. Defense also played a vital role on Sunday as Tom West, Taylor Scaggs, BJ Galvan and Ray Mariano all made run savings plays throughout the game. Eddie Baray and Figueroa even pulled off a uniquely executed hidden ball trick to end a threat.

Juan Zuniga throws a pitch vs. Rangers 10/12/2025

CYCLONES REBOUND
Old and new Cyclones combine to hammer Expos

Oct 6, 2025 - After the previous week where the Cyclones were without any backup pitchers and win, lose or draw, Mgr Dean Cosme had no choice but to pitch the entire game, the Cyclones were once again short on the pitching side of things. Cosme would have to tow the rubber again without backup. This time however, he was able to stay fresh and loose the entire game mostly due to built up stamina from having pitched complete games each of the past two weeks. Make it three as Cosme threw another 6 innings in a runaway 18-4 defeat of the Expos. It was the second victory over the Expos in the past three weeks.

For the Cyclones though, the game didn't start out the way they had hoped.  Still reeling from the sting of last week's pounding at the hands of the Houston Stealth, in the to of the first inning, the Expos loaded the bases after one out and the next better laced a deep fly ball to left center field for a bases clearing double. 3-0 Expos. But the Cyclones would bounce right back and score 4 runs of their own led by a 2-out, 3-Run Home Run by longtime Cyclones third baseman BJ Galvan to give the Cyclones a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish. The Cyclones would go onto score 18 runs on big days from the aforementioned Galvan, catcher Juan Zuniga, Jairo Reyes along with newcomers Chuck Poteet and Blaine Grantham.

BJ Galvan watches his hit vs. Expos 10/5/2025

MAKESHIFT CYCLONES GET JOB DONE
With 11 regulars missing, 7 Cyclones and 2 pickup players rout hapless Expos

SEP 22, 2025 - Heading into the game, starting pitcher Dean Cosme knew he had to go the whole game.  2-1/2 hours or 9 innings, which comes first. With Taylor on the pitching IL, the Cyclones had no other legitimate options to throw some innings on Sunday. It was Dean or no one else. Win, lose or draw. With all things considered, despite some struggles, Cosme prevailed. After all was said and done, the final score was 14-6 in favor of the Cyclones. One of the biggest reason's  was that the Expos are a shell of their former selves. 2 months ago, the Cyclones defeated a much stronger and capable Expos team to win back-to-back championships for the first time in their history. On Sunday, the Cyclones defeated an Expos team that saw only 5 returning players from the previous season.

Despite the Expos being a different team, the Cyclones themselves, were not at full strength. Missing were 11 regulars that are rostered players.  And because there were only 7 Cyclones on hand, Cosme had to mix and match personnel on the field. A couple of different players were playing positions not normally theirs but as is always the case, the team made it work. Taylor Scaggs, the Cyclones starting pitcher and outfielder was playing first base. Starting third baseman BJ Galvan shifted to shortstop.  Guy Koenig, one of the team's DH's who has played mostly infield that last few years, started in left field on Sunday. From there, the 2 pickup players played where needed and helped out a lot by being able to play in general. And even with all those abnormalities, the defense played relatively well allowing the offense to do what they do, score runs. And that they did. Taking advantage of early miscues by the Expos, the Cyclones got off to an early 3-0 lead.  The Cyclones would add another run on the top of the second to go up 4-0.  It looked as though the Cyclones were going to run away with the game early, but the Expos were able to contain the Cyclones on an inning by inning basis until the 6th inning where things wildly fell apart for the Expos.

On the other side of the ball, Dean Cosme was doing what Dean Cosme always does and that's keep other teams off balance and not too comfortable in the batter's box. It also didn't help that they were a relatively undisciplined team at the plate and allowed Cosme to take advantage of certain situations that normally would have gotten him in trouble. That's not to say that Cosme didn't have his troubles on Sunday, because he did.  Cosme struggled with control, effectively wild is how some would say it.  But Cosme was able to right the ship when most needed and never let the game get out of control. In the end, the job was done. the game was won.

Priamo Reyes takes a lead from first base vs. Expos 9/21/2025

CLOSE GAME GOES WAY OF CYCLONES
After sluggish start, Cyclones edge the Northside Rangers 5-4

SEP 14, 2025 - In the first inning, both teams had the bases loaded and neither team scored. It was going to be one of those games. Opening Day of the Fall 2025 season turned out to be quite the game for both teams. For the Rangers, it was a chance to show  the Cyclones and the league that they are not the push over team they have been in the last few seasons. They held the Cyclones scoreless through 3 innings before Taylor Scaggs laced an RBI double in the e4th inning, to get the Cyclones season on the board. Three batters later, Tom West roped a double of his own to drive in 2 runs and tie the game at 3 apiece. For their part, the Rangers answered right back when the Taylor was tagged for a HR to deep left field to have the Rangers go up 4-3. The Cyclones failed to answer back right away in the 5th inning, but in the 6th, the Cyclones would answer back.

After Juan Zuniga took a pitch in the back for an HBP, newcomer Drew Figueroa and Taylor hit back to back singles to load the bases. This time, they would make the Rangers pay for it. First, Jairo Reyes drove a single through the infield to left to tie the game.  Tom West followed with a fielder's choice that took out the runner going to home. With the bases still loaded, Ernie Ojeda smacked an RBI single to drive in the the deciding run. Taylor would pitch 2 more scoreless innings for the Cyclones to complete the come from behind victory.

Taylor Scaggs about to deliver a pitch during game vs. Northside Rangers 9/14/2025

CYCLONES PARTICIPATE IN TEXAS CUP
Tournament team goes 2-2 and miss cut for finals but satisfied with performance on short notice

SEP 2, 2025 - Over Labor Day weekend, the Houston Cyclones participated in Houston Hardball League's Texas Cup Classic Tournament. It was a short notice appearance as the organization originally had not considered putting their name in the hat due to the age division they would be involved in. Considering the tournament was only going to have 2 age divisions, the organization, which typically participates in 35+ during regular league play and 40+ or 45+ in tournament play, playing down to 25+ would be a challenge. The biggest challenge would be recruiting players that could compete at this age bracket, specifically pitching that would be competitive in this age group.

Once the Cyclones committed to participating, the challenge was officially on. The recruitment process however, went better than expected and the team came together pretty quickly. The most important part was putting together a pitching staff. After a few text messages, 3 starting pitcher were already on board.  2 more starting type pitchers were needed and then fill in relievers were needed as well. after about a week, the team was almost complete. It became complete a mere 3 days before the tournament would begin after obtaining a commitment from a 26 year old pitcher/shortstop Dominic Scotti.

While obvious roster construction issues arose as the weekend played out, the organization was pleased with the 2-2 showing and look forward to a stronger recruitment for 2026. Up next, the Houston Cyclones will make their annual appearance on the MSBL World Series in Phoenix from Nov 3 - Nov 8 in the 45+ Cactus Division.  After a very successful 2024 tournament, the Cyclones have moved up to play in the 45+ division and look for similar success.