Brooklyn Cyclones capture South Atlantic League title with 2-1 win over Spartanburgers
High-A Mets affiliate completes postseason sweep and secures first full-season league championship since 2021 restructuring
The Brooklyn Cyclones clinched the South Atlantic League championship Tuesday night, beating the Hub City Spartanburgers 2-1 to complete a postseason sweep and secure the franchise's third overall title.
Brooklyn scored both runs in the top of the third inning when left fielder John Bay opened the rally with a triple and shortstop Marco Vargas and designated hitter Matt Rudick followed with run-scoring singles. The Cyclones finished the night with a franchise-record 72 regular-season wins and dispatched Greensboro in the divisional round before sweeping Spartanburg in the finals.
"This one lined to left field. Waiting on it is John Bay, and this whirlwind ride of a 2025 season has come to its final destination," Cyclones broadcaster Justin Rocke said over the air on the final out. "Your Brooklyn Cyclones, 2025 South Atlantic League Champions!"
Brooklyn's pitching staff combined to hold Hub City to one run on five hits while recording 11 strikeouts. Right-hander Dakota Hawkins was credited with the win after working 2 2/3 innings in relief, allowing one run on one hit and striking out four. Hoss Brewer recorded the save with a perfect ninth inning that included two strikeouts.
The Spartanburgers' lone run came in the eighth inning when Rafe Perich drove in a run with two outs. Reliever Brett Banks then worked out of a more serious threat with two outs and the bases loaded later in the frame, ending the inning when Antonis Macias grounded out to short on a five-pitch at-bat.
The title is the Cyclones' first since the franchise moved to full-season play in the South Atlantic League in 2021 following a restructuring of Minor League Baseball. The club's previous championship came in 2019 as a short-season team in the New York-Penn League. Tuesday's victory marked the Cyclones' third championship in team history.
Brooklyn's run to the championship included a divisional series victory over the Greensboro Grasshoppers before the two-game sweep of Spartanburg. The club relied on a blend of offense and bullpen depth throughout the postseason, with several relievers combining to limit opponents to minimal scoring opportunities.
The Cyclones operate as the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets. The championship returns postseason hardware to Brooklyn and extends a successful 2025 season that featured both regular-season and playoff milestones for the club under the High-A alignment.
Stat lines and additional game details: Brooklyn used six pitchers in the game; the staff struck out 11 batters and surrendered five hits. Dakota Hawkins earned the victory, Hoss Brewer collected the save, and Brett Banks escaped a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the eighth. Hub City’s run was driven in by Rafe Perich in the eighth inning.
The Cyclones will carry the championship momentum into the offseason as the organization evaluates player development and potential moves within the Mets’ minor-league system. The title also marks a notable moment in Brooklyn's minor-league history as the club adjusts to its role in the post-2021 minor-league landscape.