(Harlan, IA) The Harlan Cyclones are up to No. 7 in the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) weekly rankings. The Cyclones sit in fourth place in the Hawkeye 10 with a record of 15-5 overall and 7-4 in conference play. Harlan has found their feet again winning three straight after dropping both in a double-header against Glenwood. The Cyclones also beat Clarinda who sits atop the Hawkeye 10.
Head coach Heath Stein gave credit to their success to the solid pitching they’ve had this season.
Harlan ranks amongst the top five in every major pitching category in the Hawkeye 10. The Cyclones have been led by three seniors on the mound this summer in Brayden Ernst, Brock Lemerick and Caleb Schleis. The three of them lead the team in innings pitched and have a combined record of 11-4 on the season. Each of them possesses a sub-three ERA with Ernst leading the way with a 1.94. Harlan freshman Colton Schneider has been great out of the bullpen for the Cyclones this season leading the conference with five saves on the year with the third-best ERA in the conference 1.17
Harlan senior Cade Sears led the team in several categories with the bat in his hands this season, but Sears has left the team for summer football camp at South Dakota State for the remainder of the summer.
Stein knows this is a big loss to the team but believes their depth will still give them a run at the state tournament.
The Cyclones head to Red Oak for a doubleheader tonight and play in Council Bluffs against Lewis Central tomorrow at 2 p.m.
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