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Cyclones take rubber match in Williamsport

Cyclones come back, take season-opener in extra innings
Photo by Steve Solomonson

Cyclones 2

Williamsport 1

August 28 at Williamsport

The Cardiac Clones scored a pair of seventh-inning runs to pull out a come-from-behind 2–1 win at Williamsport on Sunday.

The Crosscutters jumped out to a lead in the second inning as Lucas Williams reached on a bunt single and scored on Gregori Rivero’s triple. Brooklyn starter Merandy Gonzalez was able to limit the damage, however, as the righty struck out Luis Encarnacion and Chandler Hall, and then got Evan Rogers on a fly ball to right.

Williamsport starter Ranger Suarez dominated Brooklyn for six innings as the Cyclones failed to get a runner to third base in the early frames. Darryl Knight changed that with a one-out double in the seventh and moved to third on Blake Tiberi’s single, ending the night for Suarez.

Carlos Indriago entered for the Crusscutters and walked Dan Rizzie to load the bases. Another walk to Hengelbert Rojas forced in Knight with the tying run. Arnaldo Berrios followed with a single to left to give the Cyclones a one-run lead. Berrios – hitting in the nine-spot – picked up two hits.

Williamsport threatened in the bottom of the inning, putting two runners on with nobody out after an error a hit batter. Gonzalez got Hall to strike out before he left the game and Adam Atkins got out of the jam with a strikeout and ground out.

Brooklyn added a bit of drama in the eight as Desmond Lindsay was ejected by home plate umpire Jude Koury after he disputed a called strike. Hitting coach Sean Ratliff also had some words to say and earned his own drip to the locke room.

In the bottom of the inning, Williamsport’s Luke Maglich struck out against Clones reliever Gabriel Feliz and was also ejected after arguing with Koury. Crosscutters manager Pat Borders came out and was also tossed from the game.

Feliz pitched a clean eighth and Joseph Zanghi worked around a two-out double in the ninth to pick up his eighth save.

The 34–34 Cyclones return to MCU Park to take on Auburn on Monday night at 7 pm.

UPS AND DOWNS

The Cyclones’ win on Sunday meant the squad surpassed its season total from last year when Brooklyn finished 33-43.

Follow the Cyclones all season long at brooklynpaper.com/sections/sports/cyclones