Cyclones Baseball Season Ends Short of State Dreams

The Harlan Cyclones baseball team concluded another strong season, just falling short of a third consecutive trip to the state tournament after a 4-2 loss to Bishop Heelan in the 3A Substate Final. The team will face the challenge of replacing a talented senior class that amassed 97 wins over four years.

Head coach Heath Stein reflected on the season’s successes but acknowledged the upcoming transition. Harlan will lose key players, including All-State catcher Hayden Soma, who had an impressive batting average of .414 with five home runs and 41 RBIs, along with fellow seniors Brett Heese, Landen Kaufman, and Weston Reisz.

Despite these losses, the Cyclones boast an emerging talent pool, particularly on the pitching staff. Harlan retains four of its top five pitchers, including Jonas Reynolds, who led in innings pitched, and Gavin Eck, who posted an impressive 6-2 record with a 1.89 ERA.

As they look ahead to the next season, Coach Stein emphasizes the need for the team to cultivate a “killer instinct” to reclaim their position in the state tournament.

For more details on the Cyclones' season and future plans, visit the original article: Harlan Baseball Season Wrap-Up.