Cyclone Baseball Season Ends in State QF to Western Dubuque, 10-0

Harlan Community Coach Heath Stein (7-17-23)

Cyclone Baseball Season Ends in State QF to Western Dubuque, 10-0 –

(7-17-23) – It took the best in the state to end the Harlan Community baseball season.

It’s never easy taking on the defending champs and that was certainly the case with Western Dubuque, who got 5 innings of 3-hit, shutout ball from Isaac Then as they beat the Cyclones by a final of 10-0.

Harlan Community Coach Heath Stein felt Western Dubuque let their veteran presence take over.

"Very veteran bunch and that showed in the box," Stein told KNOD Sports after the game. "Tough to put away with two strikes. Very, very scrappy from the basepaths. They do a lot of things well and beat us."

The Cyclones threatened in the 1st and 2nd innings, but couldn't get a run across. Cade Sears led off the game with a hit by pitch, but was stranded at 3rd and the first two runners reached base in the 2nd, but couldn't be driven in.

"We had some opportunities early and say we push a couple runs across early in the game, the feeling of that game changes drastically," said Stein.

The Bobcats were then able to break through in the bottom of the 2nd. Conner Maiers led off the inning with a single and advanced around the bases on three wild pitches to score the games first run. A groundout and single would drive in two more runs to give Western Dubuque a 3-0 lead. They'd score 3 more in the 3rd and twice in each in the 4th and 5th to complete win.

Harlan Community got hits from Hayden Soma, Weston Reisz, and senior Cael Goshorn. Stein says he was grateful for all that Goshorn and fellow senior Stephen Leinen provided the team this season.

"The leadership they provided throughout the season will be missed and I'll miss those guys as people, I mean, they're guys you'll stay in touch with. I'm gonna stay in touch with them definitely."

In the meantime, this young Cyclone bunch got a valuable experience by playing at the state tournament.

"It's a good experience for these guys. Hopefully next year and years down the road... we handle ourselves a little bit better."

Harlan Community finishes their baseball season with a record of 22 and 15.

View past scores by visiting the Iowa High School Athletic Association's website, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union website,
or Iowa Quik Stats