Cyclones strike early, eliminate Oskaloosa 6-0 in 3-A state quarterfinal

 DES MOINES (July 25) -- With recent history as the guide, this one was vintage Harlan Community.
 A fast start with the bats, stingy pitching and game-changing defensive plays all added up to another victory Tuesday night as the top-ranked Cyclones defeated Oskaloosa 6-0 in a Class 3-A state baseball tournament quarterfinal at Principal Park.
 Improving to 6-1 in their last seven state tournament games, the defending state champions will take a 35-2 record into Friday’s 11 a.m. semifinal game against 8th-ranked Sioux City Bishop Heelan (32-12).
 “Getting the first one is big,” said HCHS sophomore pitcher Brett Sears, who improved to 9-0 on the mound.
 Staked to a 6-0 lead after two innings, Sears battled his command at times but did not allow a hit until the fifth and pitched five and a third scoreless frames.
 Oskaloosa, which finished 28-14, was making its first state baseball appearance since 1998 while the Cyclones are back in Des Moines for the seventh year in a row.

2017 State Baseball Tournament --- Scores, Pairings & Schedule
at Principal Park • Des Moines

CLASS 3-A
Quarterfinal Scores: Tuesday, July 25
Assumption 12, Bondurant-Farrar 2 (5) -------- Harlan Community 6, Oskaloosa 0
Dubuque Wahlert 5, Marion 4 --------------------Bishop Heelan 4, Saydel 1
Semifinal Pairings: Friday, July 28
1:30 p.m. - Davenport Assumption (#1 seed, 39-5) vs. Dubuque Wahlert (#4 seed, 27-15)
11 a.m. - Harlan Community (#2 seed, 35-2) vs. Bishop Heelan (#3 seed, 32-12)
Championship Game: Saturday, July 29, 5:00 p.m.