Cyclone SB Hammers Perry in Regional QF, 8-4

Harlan Community's Taylor Heese (7-9-26)

HC Softball Coach Nolan Heese (7-9-26)

Cyclone SB Hammers Perry in Regional QF, 8-4 –

(7-9-26) - Heese laid down the hammer late to secure the win.

Taylor Heese was 4 for 4 with a big 2-run homer in the 6th to help secure an 8-4 victory for Harlan Community over Perry in the Class 4A-Region 1 quarterfinals Thursday.

Heese, who was 4 for 4 for the contest, is proud that her team was able to win their first postseason game since 2022.

“It feels amazing. I wouldn't want to do it with any other team. This team literally feels like a straight up family. Like, I don't know how to explain it. feels great.”

The Cyclones got the scoring going in the 2nd with the bottom of the order as Carleigh Goshorn, Aubree Wegner, and Kaitlynn Schmitz all drove in runs to stake Harlan Community to a 3-0 lead.

After an early miscue that nearly lead to a run for the Jayettes, the defense improved for the Cyclones with nice plays in the field by Avery Manz handling a tough hop for a force out in the third, then in the 6th, Heese made a great play with the infield drawn to throw a runner at out at the plate and catcher Suzy Kenkel and Rebekah Christensen combining to cut down another runner at home following a wild pitch.

It was following the wild pitch that Taylor went to the mound to calm down Christensen, who’d came in relief of Camryn Goshorn, but was struggling. Christensen was eventually able to gather her composure and get out of the inning.

Taylor knew just what to say to Christensen to help her settle into the game.

“I was kind of just telling her like, what you can do. Just do it. When they hit the ball, we're behind you. We're going to get the out for you.”

Coach Nolan Heese loves the true leadership Taylor has shown throughout the season.

“Yeah, it's huge,” said Coach Heese of his cousin. “Especially in the postseason, there's a lot more nerves, stuff like that. So her to be able to have the presence of mind to go calm her pitcher down, just having that set of mind of what can I do to help everybody. You know, you don't see it during games, but like when people are getting out, she's the first one back in the dugout saying that you're okay and trying to keep everyone that level-headed.”

For Taylor, understanding how important her leadership role is something she takes seriously with this fun group of friends she gets to take the field with each game.

The Jayettes Harper Petersen drove in two runs and Kailey Whelchel had 2 hits as Perry’s season end at 4-22.

Harlan Community will now face No. 1-ranked ADM in the 4A-Region 1 semifinals on Saturday.

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