Young, Talented Group Looking to Take Cyclone Baseball to Next Level

Young, Talented Group Looking to Take Cyclone Baseball to Next Level -

(5-15-23) – After a tough end to the season in the substate semifinals against Glenwood a season ago, Harlan Community Baseball Coach Heath Stein is looking for his young and talented group of ballplayers to make a deep run this season.

“We got a lot of guys back,” Stein told KNOD Sports. “(We) graduated 3 seniors that we will miss and Joy Mosier, Alex Monson and Luke Musich. But good nucleus coming back on the mount at the plate and a couple of new faces sprinkled in, as well.”

Pitching certainly looks to be a Cyclones strength as Brayden Ernst, Stephen Leinen, Kyle Goshorn, and Weston Reisz are all returning. Plus, big Franz Reisz will take the mound for the first time in two years.

“Having Franz back would be big. He'll kind of take a lot of the innings hopefully that Alex (Monson) through last year and just add to our depth which is already pretty dang good.”

Speedster Cade Sears will also bring his world-class speed to help ignite the offense after hitting .403 with 11 triples a season ago.

“With a guy that can run like that, he's always going to put pressure on the defense and if he barrels up balls in the gap, really when you round in second, there's absolutely no doubt that he's going to keep coming. He's an exciting player. He makes the plays in the outfield and makes you say, “Wow,” and we look forward to more leadership and a big year out of Cade.”

Sears, along with slugger Leinen, who hit 4 homers for the Cyclones a season ago, will be the core of a solid hitting lineup.

“Stephen provides a bat that can drive the ball pretty well. And other than that, I'd say we have a bunch of guys that hopefully just put together good at bats.”

Harlan Community baseball will begin their 2023 season on Monday with a DH against Sioux City North. (KNOD 105.3FM)

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