Cats Sloppy in Loss at No. 1 Altoona

Seyler Sidelined with Injury

ALTOONA – Central Mountain was its own worst enemy in a wild 8-7 loss at Altoona on Saturday.

The Wildcats were plagued by five errors and the two Central Mountain pitchers issued seven walks in all. Despite that, the Wildcats had battled back from a 7-2 deficit at the end of the three, tying the game at 7-7 after five, only to see the host Mountain Lions achieve a walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh.

The win put Altoona at 10-1, the Mountain Lions ranked number one in the state according to MaxPreps. Central Mountain drops to 5-3, the Wildcats’ second successive loss after a 3-1 defeat administered by Jersey Shore on Friday (the Wildcats did win a suspended game, 3-2 in eight innings over the Bulldogs earlier Friday).

Central Mountain outhit the host Lions by an 11-8 margin but the walks and errors were too much to overcome. Altoona put up a six-spot in the bottom of the third, the Wildcats battling back to tie, only to fall in the bottom of the seventh.

Zach Skrtich had a 4-for-4 day at the plate, including a double and an RBI. Alex Garbrick had two hits, including a double, and had two RBIs. Dylan Kerstetter was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.

Toner Corl went the first five innings on the mound, giving up seven runs, only three of which were earned. Cole Reeder pitched the sixth inning and into the seventh, giving up two hits and two walks and taking the loss.

Central Mountain returns to action Monday, a home game with Midd-West, a road trip to Shikellamy onWednesday. It appears the Wildcats will have to go the rest of the season without their top returning starter in senior Caleb Seyler, sidelined with a back injury.

CM 0 0 2 2 3 0 0 = 7-11-5
Alt 1 0 6 0 0 0 1 = 8-8-2