The Centenary University Cyclones kicked off their conference series against Gwynedd Mercy in dominating fashion Sunday afternoon, unleashing an offensive onslaught and stellar pitching performance en route to a lopsided 21-2 victory in Game 1 of the three-game set.
The Cyclones lit up the scoreboard early and often, tallying 18 hits on the day and showcasing their firepower at the plate. One of the biggest highlights came in the form of a crushing home run, part of a standout performance by Cyclone slugger Nick Payne, who racked up two hits and four RBIs in the rout.
Leading the offensive barrage was Myles Castillo, who stayed red-hot at the plate with a 3-hit, 2-RBI outing, setting the tone for a relentless attack that saw Centenary score in nearly every inning.
While the bats stole the spotlight, the Cyclones' pitching staff quietly put together a solid, efficient effort on the mound. Sam Castillo got things started, followed by strong relief appearances from Carter Sari, Anthony Fraser, and Aidan Pitshone. Together, the quartet held Gwynedd Mercy to just five hits and two earned runs while striking out three.
Defensively sharp and offensively explosive, Centenary made a clear statement in the opener of the series. With two games left to play, the Cyclones are riding high with momentum and looking to keep the pressure on in their pursuit of a series sweep.
Game 2 is set for Sunday afternoon, where the Cyclones aim to replicate their dominant showing and continue climbing the conference standings.
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