(Harlan, IA) — Two of the best baseball programs in the western side of the state will battle tonight as Underwood visits Harlan, coverage on KSOM.
The Eagles have been dominant during the regular season but have stumbled lately, losing at 3A #7 MOC Floyd Valley 10-0 and on Monday night fell to unranked Bedford 5-0. Klemit Olney of the Bulldogs threw a 4 hit shutout against the Eagles. Underwood clearly has a target on their back as the defending state champions and with one of the best players in Garrett Luett. Head Coach Andy Vanfossan says they were more of an underdog last year but he does not consider his team a favorite to repeat
Pitching will be a key for Underwood if they want to go back to back — Luett is the clear ace but there is no clear number two — three freshmen Blake Brensel, Hudson Ross, and Ryan Fletcher will have to find a way to contribute in the post season and Vanfossan says they all are not overpowering pitchers
Tonight is a match up against Harlan who has been a measure of consistency in high school baseball and Vanfossan says its a good opportunity
Harlan is 21-8, Underwood edged Woodbury Central last night 4-3 and is 20-2. Game time is at 7 pm, coverage on KSOM and Western Iowa Today TV
Complete interview with Head Coach Andy Vanfossan
