(Harlan, IA) — Harlan’s softball team made significant improvement in 2026 — going from 7 wins to 18 and a playoff victory. Head Coach Nolan Heese made some pre-season goals and pretty much exceeded all of them
The Cyclones rotated three pitchers throughout the season — Senior Lauren Schmitz started 10 games and had a 4.67 ERA and Senior Rebekah Christensen started 8 games and had a 3.82 ERA. That leaves Junior Camryn Goshorn as the number one thrower next year — she had a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts with 60 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched. Heese says that Goshorn made a lot of strides especially mentally
Offense was not a problem for Harlan — the team batting average was .335. 8th grader Brynn Schumacher had a big season hitting .388, 6 HR, 36 RBI. Another 8th grader Olivia Scheuring hit .349. The Cyclones do have a big junior class that will become seniors with Taylor Heese (.434, 4 HR, 28 RBI), Avery Manz (.354), Aubree Wegner (.263), Kaitlynn Schmitz (.388) plus the Goshorn sisters Camryn and Carleigh. Heese says they are ready to take the program to another level
Lauren Schmitz and Rebekah Christensen are the only two seniors for Harlan that went 18-12 overall.
