Top-ranked Cyclones set to defend 3-A state title

 COUNCIL BLUFFS -- The Harlan Community baseball team wrapped up a highly-successful regular season Wednesday night with a 15-3, five-inning win at Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson.
 Now the real season begins as the top-ranked Cyclones get set to defend their Class 3-A state championship.
 Winners of 10 straight and 31 of 33 overall, HCHS will open 3-A district play Friday night (July 14) when it hosts Carroll (1-25) at Jim Goeser Field. The game will get underway at approximately 7:00 p.m., following the first District 15 semifinal between ADM (18-13) and Greene County (13-12) at 5:00.
 Friday’s winners meet back in Harlan Monday night in the district final. The Substate 8 final is also set to be played in Harlan on Wednesday, July 19.
 “Everybody is equal starting Friday night and really you cannot look ahead,” said HCHS coach Steve Daeges. “We’ve been in this position before where we’ve had a great regular season and it can all end in one or two innings, so you’ve got to bring your ‘A’ game every night and can’t overlook anyone that you’re playing.”
HCHS 15, Thomas Jefferson 3
 The Cyclones broke open Wednesday’s game with a 10-run third inning and ouhit the Yellow Jackets 15-5 while playing errorless defense.
 Eight Cyclones hit safely on the night, led by three-hit games from Brett Sears (1 triple) and Jared Moser and two hits each by Dillon Sears (1 double), Ryan Doran (1 double) and Connor Bruck.
 Nick Foss, who added a double, improved to 4-1 on the mound. Foss allowed two hits, five walks and three runs in pitching the first three innings before Jacob Croghan worked two scoreless frames in relief.