In their opening games of the season (Feb. 15-17), the Cyclones swept Volunteer State Community College (TN), the first time they've claimed victory competing in Tennessee.
The teams were supposed to play two more games, which were rained out. After that, the Cyclones earned a 9-3 and 5-2 win.
A big third-inning boost helped Moraine Valley in the first game. Stephen Insley (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) got the Cyclones on the board in the second inning with a one-run single. The following inning he, along with Thomas Moran (2-for-4, two runs, 3 RBIs) and Kyel Alexander (1 RBI), collectively drove in five runs. One of those runs was off a homerun from Moran. Ryan Czajowski earned the victory on the mound, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out three over four innings. Richie Kiernicki threw three innings of relief.
A few early inning runs gave the Cyclones an edge in the second game. Moran scored a first-inning run on a single. Alexander (3-for-4, 1 RBI, one run) and Niles Gall (3-for-3, 1 RBI, one run) also collected multiple hits in the victory. Backed by seven hits from his team, Brett Smith earned the win, surrendering just two runs on one hit over three innings and striking out five. Timothy Dobrik threw four innings of relief.