Brooklyn 3, Aberdeen 0
The Cyclones were able to get their first win on the season as they defeated the Aberdeen IronBirds at MCU Park on Irish Heritage night, 3-0.
John Gant started for the Cyclones and pitched well, going 5.0 IP, giving up no runs, three hits, two walks and striking out six batters. Gant notched the teams first win on the year after the Cyclones lost two straight to the Staten Island Yankees.
Brooklyn took the lead in the third inning, thanks to timely hitting and a defensive miscue. Gavin Cecchini walked with one out and promptly stole second base with L.J. Mazzilli up to bat. Mazzilli drew a walk to put men on first and second and Jared King doubled to left field, scoring Cecchini and moving Mazzilli to third. Matt Oberste grounded back to the pitcher and Mazzilli was thrown out at the plate for the second out. With two outs, Julio Concepcion hit a fly ball to right that was dropped by Manny Hernandez, scoring King, and giving the Cyclones a 2-0 lead.
In the fifth inning, Brooklyn scored their third run of the game. Mazzilli led things off with a single up the middle, before grounding into a force-out at second off the bat of King. King would move to second after Oberste reached on a fielding error by IronBirds first baseman, Trey Mancini. Julio Concepcion would strike out for the second out of the inning on a wild pitch allowing both runners to advance one base. James Rochestepped up to the plate and catcher, Tanner Murphy committed a passed ball allowing King to score from third for the 3-0 lead.
So far this season, the Cyclones pitching staff has pitched very well, especially the bullpen. In three games, Cyclones starters have allowed two earned runs over 14.2 IP and striking out 14 batters. As impressive as the starters have been, the bullpen has been even better, not allowing a run over 12.1 IP and striking out 12 batters.
Key Stats
Jared King: 1-for-3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 2 R
Gavin Cecchini: 1-for-3, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 SB
Patrick Biondi: 1-for-4, 1 SB
John Gant: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 0 ER, 6 K
Tim Peterson: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 3 K
John Mincone: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K
(Team Report)