(Harlan, IA) — The Harlan Baseball team has something to prove this season — after not going to state a year ago and a 25-12 record, Head Coach Heath Stein believes his team will be on track to contend this year. The Cyclones do lose five key starters but only one key pitcher Weston Reisz. Senior Jonas Reynolds is back to anchor the staff — last year he proved himself as a big game pitcher going 4-4 in 10 starts with a 2.81 ERA. Junior Gavin Eck (6-2, 1.89) and Sophomore Gavin Sisson (5-0, 3.20) are also back and Stein likes what both can do on the mound
And then there is Colton Schneider who is a power reliever who Stein could also use as a starter — the Junior has added speed to his fastball says Stein and last season in 14 games, Schneider was dominating with a 2.17 ERA and 23 strikeouts in just over 19 innings pitched. Offensively, Schneider batted .351, 2 HR, 35 RBI and that was with a slow start. Schneider is the Shortstop and Junior Cade Nelson — who hit .370 with 31 RBIs — are the centerpieces of the Cyclones line up
There are only two seniors on the team — Reynolds (.224, 21 RBI) and Harrison Kjergaard (.381) so this is a young team but still experienced. Sophomore Foxx Argotsinger (.227, 24 RBI, 16 SB) will be a fixture at the top of the line up; Junior Jeffrey Gross (.222) and Sophomore Jacob Spangenburg (.333) will be counted on for more innings; Stein must replace Hayden Soma behind the plate but he has a Sophomore ready to take over that role
In terms of the teams in the Hawkeye Ten, Stein sees Lewis Central as the early favorite
Harlan opens their season on Monday, May 18 with a doubleheader at Sioux City North.
Complete Interview with Head Coach Heath Stein
