In their first doubleheader at spring training in Florida, the Cyclones earned a sweep of Rockland Community College, winning 4-2 and 6-3.
GAME 1
The Cyclones started off hot in the first inning with a double from Niko Mastoras (2-for-4) before Jack Hoh (2-for-4) grounded him across the plate. Dimitri Spatharakis (1-for-3) got on base with a walk then Ethan Lopez (1-for-3) grounded into a fielder's choice that scored another run. The Hawks got on the board in the bottom of that inning off a Cyclones error and tacked on another run in the second inning, but the Cyclones held them after that. Hoh broke the 2-2 tie in the fifth inning with a long homerun to center field. Christian Rosales (1-for-4) singled in the insurance run the following inning to score Arnoldo Velazquez (1-for-2, 2B) to seal the win.
This victory was helped by strong pitching. Nate Pacetti started and kept the Hawks in check, striking out seven and walking three. Ryan O'Shea came in to close, shutting down the Hawks with four strikeouts, no walks and no runs.
GAME 2
Moraine Valley came out swinging again in the first inning to take a quick 3-0 lead. Ayden Lasson (1-for-4) started off with a double to right field. Kyle Diamantos (1-for-3) and Jayden Armstrong (1-for-2) were each hit by a pitch to load the bases. As he's done so far this season, Hoh (1-for-1, 2 RBIs) came through with a double to knock in two runs. Kevin Golinski (RBI) came up and grounded out, but was able to run another one across the plate.
It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth when the Cyclones scored again thanks to some Hawks' errors. Diamontos hit a grounder and reached base on an error. Armstrong singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch with Diamontos on third. Jaylun Camper (2 RBIs) grounded into a fielder's choice, which got Diamontos out at the plate but scored Armstrong. Camper continued to run the bases while the Hawks' attempted to throw him out, but he also scored that inning to get the Cyclones up 5-0.
The fifth inning saw Rockland finally get on the board from a couple of singles and fielding errors. But that was only inning they scored. Moraine Valley added one more run in the bottom of the inning after Golinski was hit by a pitch then raced to second on a wild pitch. Augustus White (1-for-3, RBI) hit a line drive to right field to score Golinski.
Dane McDonald and Joshua Basinger each threw three innings and struck out five in the 6-3 win.