Wildcats Freeze Out Mid-West 6-0

Asher Corl

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Central Mountain earned another win with a 6-0 effort over Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference foe, Midd-West. With the win, the Wildcats move to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in the PHAC.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t baseball friendly as a bit more brisk winter air and even a few snow flakes were the theme of the day.

Ethan Watkins started on the mound for the Wildcats and had a bit of a rough start. Two walks and an error loaded the bases quickly for Midd-West with no outs forcing Watkins to dig a little deeper striking out the next two batters and forcing the next batter into a fielder’s choice for the last out to keep the Mustangs check.

Both teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Wildcats found some offensive rhythm. The inning opened with Mahlik Houtz earning a walk followed by Trevor Hanna reaching first base on a Midd-West error when he laid down a bunt. The play advanced Houtz to third. Then Hanna advanced to second while Houtz scored from third on a double steal call. Then Hanna advanced to third on a sac fly to center field by Watkins. A.J. Smith was up next and reached first on a walk then Zach Eck pounded out a base hit scoring Hanna.

Continuing the fourth inning effort, Brandon Miller hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored Adam Lindsey who was pinch running for Smith while Eck tagged up and advanced to third. Then Austyn Carson came to bat reaching first base safely on another Mustang error that allowed Eck to score to put the ‘Cats ahead 4-0.

In the fifth inning Central Mountain tacked on two more runs with three singles and another Mustang miscue creating the damage for Midd-West.

Evan Prough and Asher Corl also had base hits for the Wildcats against Mustangs.

Watkins pitch 6 1/3 innings before maxing out his pitch count with Tanner Spangler relieving to close out the game. Watkins struck out 11 while walking four and allowed 2 hits on the day. Spangler closed out the effort giving 1 hit, 1 walk, striking out 1 batter.

Next up, the Wildcats will have a road game at Shamokin on Monday, April 10, 2017.