(Harlan) The Harlan Cyclones advanced to the Class 3A Substate semifinals with a 7-1 victory over Atlantic Friday night in Harlan.
Harlan capitalized on four hits to score seven runs, breaking the game open with a four-run sixth inning. Jonas Reynolds earned the win, going the distance and allowing just one unearned run on five hits. He struck out nine, walked two, and hit one batter over seven innings.
Jack Muller started on the mound for the Trojans, going 3 1/3 innings and allowing three runs—two earned—while striking out one, walking four, and hitting two batters. Hudson McLaren came on in relief, pitching three innings and giving up four runs on three hits, with four strikeouts, two walks, and one hit batter.
The Cyclones capitalized early, using two walks and two hit batters in the bottom of the first to jump ahead. Cade Nelson drew a bases-loaded walk, and Weston Reisz followed with an RBI single to give Harlan a 2-0 lead. In the third, Landen Kaufman reached on an error and later scored on a wild pitch to make it 3-0.
Atlantic had opportunities, leaving two runners on in the first and the bases loaded in the second. They finally broke through in the fifth when Hudson McLaren, who was hit by a pitch, scored following singles from Sawyer Tarrell and Kale Jensen. Gavin McLaren drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Harlan broke the game open in the sixth. Foxx Argotsinger singled, a pitch hit Brett Heese, and Colton Schneider walked to load the bases. Hayden Soma came through with a two-run double, and Cade Nelson followed with a two-RBI single, giving the Cyclones a comfortable 7-1 lead heading into the final frame.
Jonas Reynolds struck out the first two Trojan batters in the seventh. Jensen kept Atlantic alive briefly with a single, but Reynolds responded with a final strikeout to end the game and seal the win.
Harlan (24-11) will face Clarke (11-22) in Monday’s Substate semifinal. Atlantic finishes the season at 9-16.
