Wildcats Wallop Altoona 10-0

AdminMay 26, 2016

3 minutes read

Talon Falls

Garbrick Throws Third No-No, Drives in Game-Ending Run

Wildcats Advance to D6 AAAA Finals

MILL HALL – Central Mountain from the get-go left no doubt it would earn a trip to the District 6 AAAA final today. Riding Alex Garbrick’s third no-hitter of the season, the Wildcats played a near flawless district semifinal game in ousting Altoona in five innings, the final 10-0.

“These guys came into this game with a little bit of a chip on their shoulders,” said CM head coach, Mike Kramer of his squad, “They were hungry and I was very pleased with how we put the bat on the ball tonight.”

The victory gained the Wildcats a berth in next Wednesday’s district title game, the opponent #2 seed Mifflin County, the Huskies advancing yesterday with a 6-0 win over State College.

Garbrick moved to 6-1 on the year and avenged his only loss, a 3-1 decision to Altoona in late March. The right-handed senior was in command throughout, retiring the first nine Mountain Lions he faced. Only in the top of the fourth did Altoona threaten. They loaded the bases on a walk, a hit batter and the closest thing they would get to a hit, a groundball off the wrist of Wildcat first baseman Cole Reeder, ruled an error. With the sacks full Garbrick would fan  Eric Hill to end the Altoona opportunity. Altoona would get only one ball to the outfield, a fly ball to Brandon Miller in the first inning.

“It’s just been a great year with my defense behind me all year has just been solid,” said an elated Alex Garbrick as he reveled completing his third no-hitter of the season, “Brandon Miller made a spectacular catch about 400 ft. away, Talon Falls and Toner Corl made great plays on the left side of the infield, my defense has just been wonderful all year,” said Garbrick, sharing the credit with his team for the outcome.

“All winter long, we were in the gym taking ground balls, hitting in the cage doing everything we can. We just came together as a group and want to win a District title this year, and that is still our goal,” said Garbrick of his team.

“Three no-hitters in one year … that’s unparalleled right now,” said Kramer of his ace, “We haven’t ever had anybody do that before. He’s worked hard and I am very happy for him,” added Kramer.

Meanwhile the recently slumbering Wildcat offense came alive. Held to two hits by State College in their last regular season game, the Wildcats put up three singles and a double in the first inning, resulting in three runs; they would score in each of the five innings played, ending up with 11 hits.

Garbrick, in addition to his eight-strikeout no-hitter, went 3-for-4 at the plate, his three singles driving in three runs, the last of which ended the game on the 10-run rule, saving Garbrick from pitching another inning or two. Toner Corl went 2-for-2 with two singles and two walks and three runs scored. Talon Falls had two singles and an RBI, Wyatt Koch a single and walk and two runs scored, Isaac Porter a single and Reeder a key 2-RBI double in the first inning. Asher Corl added a single.

“This was a great win today, but it was just a win,” Kramer said of the semi-final shutout victory, “It’s just another step and we have to come out tomorrow and get back to work.”

“Mifflin County is a great ball team,” Kramer said of the Wildcats opponent in the upcoming District 6 AAAA final, “It’s going to be a great game. Two solid teams going at each other. They are going to have a little chip on their shoulder because we got them in the regular season, so we’ll have to come out and play a solid game, execute and continue doing what we do.”

The district championship game is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, June 1 at Blair County Ballpark in Altoona, game time to be announced. Central Mountain is now 19-2 on the season, Mifflin County 15-6. The Huskies’ win over State College yesterday was that school’s first-ever in District 6 play, having gone 0-4 in previous appearances.