(Carlisle, IA) — Harlan will try to make a 21st appearance at the state baseball tournament tonight as they visit Carlisle in the Class 3A Substate Finals.
The Cyclones are 25-8 and beat the Wildcats 13-9 earlier in the season. Harlan has lived in the danger zone during the playoffs with two one run victories — 2-1 over Atlantic and 6-5 over Denison Schleswig. Star reliever Colton Schneider will not be available on the mound tonight with the pitch count rule — Head Coach Heath Stein is hoping he will not be needed as he turns to Senior Jonas Reynolds on the bump with a 3-0 record and a 2.79 ERA. Stein says he thrives in games like these
Carlisle is 25-9 and beat Clarke Community 8-2 and then edged Winterset 9-8. Stein expects that Carlisle will go with Senior Owen Johnson who has made 5 starts, 6 appearances and is 5-0 with a 0.83 ERA — he has just 4 ER in 33 plus innings and Stein says he has a very good slider and is in the low to mid 80’s.
Offensively the Wildcats like to run and are not afraid to lay down the bunt — Stein says it was an advantage to see them during the regular season
Harlan has not shied away from playing tough teams during their season including the top ranked team in 4A Sioux City East last week. Stein hopes it will pay dividends tonight
Harlan visits Carlisle in the 3A Substate finals, the winner goes to the state tournament in Cedar Rapids, first pitch at 7 pm tonight.
Complete Interview with Head Coach Heath Stein
