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