In this season of the Cyclones’25th anniversary celebration, Dave and Carrie Kerpen returned to Maimonides Park to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary and to renew their vows.
It was just a quick 20 years ago that the couple approached General Manager Steve Cohen to host their wedding at home plate since they were such loyal Cyclones fans. With Cohen’s approval, the couple were married on July 8, 2006 after the State College Spikes game, with a rabbi and a full bridal party along with family and Cyclones fans in attendance.
Fast forward to July 8, 2026, the Kerpens returned to Coney Island along with their three children, Charlotte, Kate and Seth, to renew their vows along with 30 other couples spread across the Cyclones’ infield. In addition to renewing their wedding vows, Dave Kerpen also officiated at the wedding ceremony of family friends Fatima and Kevin Nunez to wrap the post-game nuptials.
Going into the All-Star break, the Cyclones are faring somewhat better in the second half of the season with an 11-9 record. Hitting has picked up and the pitching has improved, as seen by the team’s no-hit bid just two weeks ago.
Cyclones’ canopy bat salute on July 8, 2006.
Photo by Brooklyn Cyclones
In fact, after being named the South Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Month for June, 21-year-old Cuban Daviel Hurtado leads the league in several categories. With a 4-1 record over nine games, Hurtado also has 39 strikeouts. Before the All-Star break the lefthander was leading the league with a 1.57 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP along with an impressive .122 batting average against.
Looking to the future, the N.Y. Mets recently drafted righthanded pitcher Carson Wiggins as their first-round choice (27th overall) out of the University of Arkansas. After he sat out a season recovering from Tommy John surgery, the Mets are taking a flyer on his full recovery after observing him throw a bullpen session and pitch in the recent collegiate combine.
0.65 WHIP along with a .122 batting average against just before the All-Star break.
Photo by Jim Dolan
round draft pick.
Photo by SNY
Wiggins is known to be a hard thrower, averaging 98 mph and topping out at 102 mph. Besides his fastball, the 21-year-old Razorback also has an effective breaking ball. Wiggins profiles as a starting pitcher like his older brother Jaxson, who is a top Triple-A prospect in the Chicago Cubs system.
