BROOKLYN, NY – An award-winning manger with a roster filled with league leaders and all-stars. Even a major leaguer down on a rehab stint. All signs pointed to a Brooklyn Cyclones championship in 2007.

Except the Auburn Doubledays saw things a little differently.

Last night at Keyspan Park, Auburn, single-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, defeated the Cyclones by a score of 4-1, sweeping them in the New York Penn League championship series, two games to none.

“It's not disappointing,” said Cyclones manager Edgar Alfonzo. “We have a group of kids that played hard all year. We had the best record and the best team. They were outstanding.”

Following a dissapointing 7-1 loss at Auburn the night before, Brooklyn looked to boost their lineup with Mets backup catcher Ramon Castro behind the plate and batting third. Castro worked with left-handed starter Mike Antonini, while Auburn answered with their own lefty, Brett Cecil. Antonini faired poorly in his only other playoff appearance this season, giving up four runs in four innings of work against the Staten Island Yankees. Cecil, meanwhile, pitched five shutout innings against the Oneonta Tigers, giving up just two hits and notching three strikeouts.

The Cyclones got off to a dream start, as second baseman Micah Schilling led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run over the left field wall. The sparse Keyspan Park crowd erupted as the ball bounced off the bottom of the scoreboard and back onto the field, while Schilling rounded the bases. Jake Eigsti followed up the homer with a line drive base hit to center, but the momentum was cut short when Castro ground out into a double play.

“It was a 1-0 fastball,” Schilling said. “Cecil had really good stuff tonight, but I got it. I wanted to hit something early in the count and I got a good piece of that one. He was really good, though. He can beat you with his fastball, he was that good. You can't take anything away from him.”

Castro's disappointing at bat, the first in a disappointing night as he went 0-3 with two strikeouts, seemed to show the future. Despite a shaky start, Cecil dominated Brooklyn's hitters the rest of the way, fanning eight Cyclones in seven innings of work, giving up a run on four hits.

Antonini's night took the opposite route. Pitching well early on, the Mets 2007 18th round draft pick got himself and his squad in trouble in the top of the fifth. Following a lead off walk to first baseman Manuel Rodriguez, Doubleday catcher J.P. Arencibia stepped up to the plate and blasted an absolute bomb over the scoreboard, giving Auburn a 2-1 lead.

The top of the sixth was no better for Antonini or the 'Clones. The Aston, PA native gave up another two-run shot, this time to second baseman Darin Mastroianni, after left fielder Ben Zeskind got on base with a lead off single. Antonini pitched six innings, giving up four runs on four hits, while striking out seven Doubleday batters.

“I made two mistakes,” said Antonini. “My change up was working really well for me tonight, but unfortunately one time it didn't work and it led to the first home run. Then, an inside fastball that the guy just read perfectly. They seemed to live and die by the long ball tonight and unfortunately they got two.”

Despite the loss, his manager was pleased with Antonini's performance.

“Antonini pitched well,” Alfonzo said. “He made two mistakes that cost the team four runs, but it's hard to win when you don't score runs. Cecil had good stuff tonight and they played good defense, too.”

Brooklyn brought in right-handed relievers Brant Rustich and Eddie Kunz after Antonini's troubles. Rustich pitched two solid innings in the seventh and the eighth, while Kunz did the same in the ninth, keeping Brooklyn in it. The Cyclones inability to generate offense, though, would signal the end of an otherwise tremendously successful season. After Cecil's effort, Auburn also got two great inning from righty Alan Farina, who struck out five while giving up one hit.

Still, Alfonzo and his team held their heads up high after a season any team would be proud of.

“I think this was a very positive season for these kids,” said Alfonzo. “They are better players and better people on and off the field after this season. We're trying to develop players and winners, so going all the way to the finals is not that bad.”

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