(Atlantic) Strong pitching played a key role in the two Hawkeye Ten Conference baseball games between Atlantic and Harlan on Monday night in Atlantic.
Harlan claimed the opener 13-1 behind a complete-game effort from Gavin Eck. The Cyclone pitcher worked all seven innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three and walking two.
The Cyclones scored 13 runs on 10 hits. Harlan broke the game open with five runs on three hits in the top of the second inning. Batting ninth, Barrett Kaufman delivered the biggest hit of the frame with a two-run single. Foxx Argotsinger added a single, while Jonas Reynolds contributed a double.
Harlan extended its lead to 10-1 with another five-run outburst in the fourth inning. Jacob Spangenberg, Colton Schnieder, Harrison Kjergaard and Kaufman all contributed hits during the rally. Spangenberg added a double in the Cyclones’ three-run seventh inning. Kaufman paced the Cyclones with two singles, and two RBI.
Jacob Spangenberg paced Harlan’s offense with a single, a double, and two RBI. Foxx Argotsinger and Harrison Kjergaard each added singles for the Cyclones.
Sawyer Tarrell led Atlantic at the plate with a single, a double, and one RBI. Zayden Parker also contributed a single for the Trojans.
Atlantic responded in the nightcap, defeating Harlan 6-4 behind Trojan pitcher Jack Muller. The senior allowed four runs on three hits, struck out nine, four walks, and two hit batters. in six and 2/3 innings of work. Kale Jensen picked up the save in the top of the seventh after Muller maxed out his pitch count.
Harlan built a 4-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning, highlighted by a solo home run from Harrison Kjergaard.
Atlantic answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, scoring four runs on just one hit. Sawyer Tarrell delivered a two-RBI single, while the other two runs scored when Trojan batters were hit by pitches with the bases loaded.
Jack Muller grew stronger as the game progressed, allowing only three baserunners over the final four innings. The Atlantic pitcher struck out nine batters, including six during that stretch, and surrendered just one run.
Tarrell led the Trojan offense with a two-RBI single. Hudson McLaren added an RBI single, and Collin Harris accounted for Atlantic’s other hit.
Kjergaard’s home run and a single by Jonas Reynolds paced the Cyclone offense.
With the victory, Atlantic evened its record at 3-3 and will host Creston on Tuesday. Harlan travels to Lewis Central for its next game.
