(Harlan, IA) — At Harlan, there is no such word as rebuilding, instead they call it reloading. That’s what the Harlan Baseball team will try to do this season as they come off a state tournament appearance and a 27-9 record. The Cyclones are used to it — they lost star Cade Sears in mid season last year when started to embark on a football career that is now moved back to baseball but still Harlan found a way to make it to state. This season Harlan loses almost an entire team — 9 Seniors including Sears so Head Coach Heath Stein has some work to do. He will turn to a nucleus of about 6 guys to lead this year
Schneider is a star in the making — last year as a Freshman he hit .364 with 1 HR and 31 RBI with 36 hits and 22 runs; on the mound he was the team’s closer — in 13 games, he had 8 saves and only gave up 2 earned runs in 18 innings with 23 strikeouts. Stein says they will continue to rely on him a lot
Weston Reisz is the ace on the mound with a 3.12 ERA a year ago but experience is thin behind him, assuming Schneider stays in his relief role. Stein expects to fill the gaps in the line up with guys like Freshman Foxx Argotsinger, and Sophomres Cade Nelson and Gavin Eck. Overall, Stein says Harlan expects to go to state every year and 2025 is no different
Harlan opens their season next Monday, May 19 hosting Sioux City North in a doubleheader.
Complete Interview with Head Coach Heath Stein
