Defense Decent, Offense Needing Work for Cyclone SB

Defense Decent, Offense Needing Work for Cyclone SB -

(6-28-24) – Harlan Community softball continues to show areas of improvement, even if the results are not showing in the win column.

Against Clarinda and West Monona, defensive decision-making and play was on display by Harlan Community. Catcher Suzy Kenkel made several big throws to cut down runners on stolen base attempts, pickoffs, and even a rundown to prevent a run from scoring. Taylor Heese made several solid defensive plays at 3rd and outfielders Aubree Wegner and Ava Bauman helped with some impressive running catches that kept opponents from scoring.

Cyclone softball Coach Tarah Devlin-Lawler likes the defense being shown by her players.

“We saw the girls wanting to come out and compete and put their best foot forward and just be able to put the ball in play and defensively they've really started to kind of connect things and get plays and always looking at the next play. So, the girls are doing a great job at just doing things defensively and we'll get there offensively.”

Devlin-Lawler says the improved defensive play has to do with going back to fundamentals.

“Getting their gloves dirty. Making sure that we're getting the gloves in the dirt and taking that extra step. A lot of times we were behind. So it's just taking that extra step, being able to calculate where it's going to go and allowing themselves the time to make the plays.”

The offensive, however… has been another story.

Harlan Community scored three runs and had 9 hits in their last three games… combined.

When they are getting on base early in innings, the Cyclones have scored. In Game 2 of their doubleheader against Clarinda Thursday, they had the bases loaded with one out and scored two runs on a pair of wild pitches. But that would be all the scoring they’d get in the game.

“The girls are making contact with the bat, just not getting the balls to fall where we need them to fall,” said Devlin-Lawler

But despite the trials of a 3-27 season, Devlin-Lawler feels this team gives their all each and every game.

“These girls have the biggest hearts for this game. Being able to play and still show up and want to compete and want to do well, that is huge for them. I feel like confidence has gone up quite a bit this season and they're just amazing set of girls who bring something special to this game.”

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