(Iowa City, IA) – What looked to be a competitive game early, ended up in a 10-0 Cyclone loss. The Bobcats started on the same note as the Cyclones, going scoreless in the first inning and leaving a runner stranded on third base to make it 0-0 at the end of the first.
After the first inning of action, the Bobcats went on a scoring streak. In the second inning, the singles by Connor Maiers and Mcllrath helped to edge out a 3-0 lead. Leading into the third inning of action, Harlan had their second single of the ballgame by Hayden Soma with two outs in the inning but left him stranded to retire the side. The Bobcats took the third inning and rushed to earn more runs. Caleb Klein, Issac Then, and Connor Maiers all reached home and added three more runs on the board to make it 6-0.
Harlan had a three-up, three-down fourth inning of action and the Bobcats went on the opposite end, scoring both Issac Then and Connor Maiers off a passed ball and a single by Brayden Delaney. The Bobcats added on an additional run to advance their lead to 9-0. At that point, the game was all Western Dubuque as Jake Goodman brought in the last run of the ballgame, scoring off of a Caleb Klein single that ended the ballgame.
Leading for the Bobcats was Connor Maiers who went 2-2 with two singles and a steal, while also walking and scoring on his third at-bat. They also had the advantage with Issac Then as he was able to go 1-2 on the night with a single, and was hit by a pitch on his second at-bat. Then also led on the mound, striking out seven and allowing just three hits.
Harlan was led by Weston Reisz who went 1-2 and had a single in the fifth inning of action. He provided the motivation that Harlan needed, but it was just a little too late. Regardless of the outcome of the ballgame, Reisz was still proud of his team and the season overall.
Coach Stein had an optimistic approach after the game, looking at the positive ends of the team on the season. The Cyclones were not only successful overall, but were able to capture a Regional Championship while traveling to Iowa City to compete in the state tournament.
Throughout the entire game, Harlan never backed down. You never saw a head go down, as you had nine individuals on the field stay positive and motivated to pull in their best work. Coach Stein thanked his group for their successful season.
Harlan finished out their season with a 22-15 record, while the Bobcats advance to a 34-9 overall record. They will take on Wahlert Catholic who beat Ballard 11-1 in their Quarterfinal. They will play on Wednesday at 7:30 pm at Duane Banks Baseball Stadium.
