Pitching controls the split

Richie Kiernicki
Richie Kiernicki

Pitching held the upper hand in the Cyclones' battle with Elgin Community College. They split the effort: Moraine Valley lost the first game 2-1 before winning 1-0.

Starter Richie Kiernicki was solid on the mound, throwing six and two-thirds innings, striking out nine and allowing just four hits. The Cyclones scored in their first at-bat when William Curtis singled in Niles Gall. But the bats were tame after that with one hit each from Kyel Alexander, Thomas Moran, Gilbert Jaime-Baez and Brenden Butler. The Spartans evened the score in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a Cyclone error. A bases loaded walk-off walk scored the go-ahead for Elgin in the seventh.

Brett Smith and Robert Keating tag teamed a shutout from the circle in the Cyclones' narrow victory. Smith went four innings striking out five and allowing one hit for the win. Keating threw three innings in relief for the save with two strikeouts. Antulio Esparza and Nate Villagomez each led the offense with two hits, and Thomas Moran batted in the winning run.