Smith Tames ‘Toona as Wildcats Win

MILL HALL — It was a back-and-forth game until A.J. Smith entered the fray for the Central Mountain baseball team on Thursday. Asked to protect a 5-4 Wildcat lead in the top of the fourth inning, the big Wildcat junior came through with four innings of 3-hit ball as Central Mountain won its fourth in a row by a 7-5 score over Altoona.

“We started 0-3 this season, since then we’re 9-2,” said CM head coach, Mike Kramer in evaluating the progress of his squad, “I was really proud of the guys in the way they battled back to avenge our loss to Altoona earlier this year. It’s always good to see improvement in the small things, and that’s what we need heading into the playoffs,” he added.

The victory put the Wildcats at 9-5 on the year after a 0-3 start to the season. And for Smith it was a significant turnaround from a difficult stretch on the mound earlier in the year. He was in command against Altoona (6-8), retiring the first eight batters he faced. The Mountain Lions would use an error and two singles to score an unearned run in the final inning after loading the bases with no one out. But Wildcat second baseman Trevor Hanna started a double-play to shortstop Austyn Carson to first baseman Ethan Watkins for two quick outs and a groundout back to Smith ended the game.

“It’s nice to have Landon back. He didn’t have his best stuff today, but he battled. What was awesome to see was A.J. Smith come in throwing pitches for strikes and dominating on the mound, Kramer said of his pitching staff, “He had confidence in his pitches and that helped a lot.”

Central Mountain was held to six hits by three Altoona pitchers but took advantage of eight walks, three of which scored. Asher Corl contributed a single and two runs batted in, Brandon Miller had an RBI double, Mahlik Houtz had an RBI single. Singles also came from Carson and Troy Gardner and Zack Eck slugged a double.

“Clutch hits,” said Kramer of his team’s effort in the batter’s box, “First inning we had Asher Corl get on and get over then Austyn Carson bring him in. Zack Eck had a RBI double. It was nice to have people step up and with runners in scoring position and bring them in.

Landon Breon picked up the win, going three innings and giving up eight hits and four runs.

The Wildcats will be back at Mill Hall Community Park Monday, May 8 against Mifflin County (6-9).