The Cyclones started the 2010 season with a bang — make that five bangs — against their hated rivals, the Staten Island Yankees, taking the first of a three-game series with a convincing 5-3 victory on the Rock.
Staten Island got the scoring started in the home first, knocking in three runs off of starter Yohan Almonte, but after that, it was all Cyclones.
Two runs scored in the top of the third. A Cody Holliday walk, a hit batsman and a single by J.B. Brown loaded the bases for William “Big Bill” Cherry, who hit the two-out, two-RBI single.
Three more runs scored in the seventh, thanks to big blows by Rylan Sandoval, who hit a double; an RBI single by Darrell Ceciliani; and a two-run single by high draft pick Cory Vaughn, son of major leaguer Greg Vaughn.
The Yankees did load the bases in the ninth, but reliever Brian Needham came in and put out the fire, inducing a groundout to earn his first save.
Despite the rough outing — he gave up six hits and three runs in five innings — Almonte got the win. The Cyclone bullpen, however, gave up only two hits over the last four innings.
The home opener is tonight at 6 pm at MCU Park, the former Keyspan Park, the Cyclones stadium by the Boardwalk.
MCU Park [1904 Surf Ave. at W. 19th Street in Coney Island, (718) 449-8497]. For info, visit http://www.brooklyncyclones.com.