CHAMPIONSHIP STAFF -- Left-right, HCHS baseball coaches Heath Stein, Mark Vande Berg, Steve Daeges, Joe Heese and Eric Croghan show off the school’s latest championship trophy. Stein was a player in 2003 when the Cyclones claimed their last state baseball crown.

HCHS first baseman Kyle Juhl stretches toward center field to catch an incoming throw from Nick Foss, doubling off Carlisle’s Peyton Stephens during the fifth inning of Saturday’s state title game.

Cyclone third baseman Brett Sears lines up a throw across the diamond. (Photos by Mike Oeffner)

HCHS senior Brett Croghan delivers a pitch during Saturday’s title game. Croghan scattered nine hits over seven innings to earn his ninth career postseason win.

Cyclone junior Dillon Sears dives around Carlisle catcher Max McCay to score a sixth-inning run on a mad dash from second base to home.

HCHS players celebrate Saturday’s state championship game win over Carlisle with a dog pile near the mound. At the bottom of the pile is winning pitcher Brett Croghan, who threw a complete game.

HCHS players, including Brett Sears (left) and Nick Tarney, emerge from the postgame dog pile.

HCHS players and coaches anxiously wait to collect their state title trophy from a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

STATE CHAMPS -- Harlan Community players and coaches display their championship trophy, state banner and the final bracket after defeating Carlisle 12-4 in Saturday’s Class 3-A state title game at Principal Park in Des Moines. The Cyclones finished the season with a 30-5 overall record. (Photos by Mike Oeffner)

STATE CHAMPIONS ONCE MORE

Fri, 08/12/2016 - 2:22pm admin

HCHS turns the tables on high-scoring Carlisle squad, spreading around 13 hits in 12-4 title game win Cyclones earn first 3-A title since 2003; Croghan pitches complete game for ninth postseason victory

By:

Mike Oeffner Sports Editor

We almost played the perfect game tonight,” said Cyclone coach Steve Daeges, who also directed the program to championship seasons in 1996 and 2003 as well as state runner-up finishes in 2008, 2011 and 2015.

DES MOINES -- Harlan Community couldn’t have picked a more perfect time to play its best baseball game of the season.
Facing a red-hot Carlisle team renowned for its hitting prowess and gaudy statistics, the Cyclones stole the show with their own brand of balls-to-the-wall pressure offense in Saturday’s Class 3-A state title game at Principal Park.
As state championships go, this was a no-doubter.
Sparked by a two-run opening salvo in the top of the first, HCHS took control with seven runs during the third and fourth innings and slowed the Wildcats’ dangerous bats behind a masterful pitching performance by senior Brett Croghan to win 12-4 and claim the school’s first state baseball title in 13 years.

STATE CHAMPIONS ONCE MORE

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