Wildcats Fall 3-1 to State College

Asher Corl

MILL HALL — The Central Mountain offense has slowed of late and it hit a low point today, the result a 3-1 loss to State College, the Little Lions now the hottest District 6 team for the playoffs beginning next Thursday.

The defeat was Central Mountain’s first since a 3-1 home loss to Altoona back on Mar. 29 and ended the Wildcats’ 17 game winning streak. State College finished the regular season at 11-6, its final three wins coming over Mifflin County, Altoona and Central Mountain.

Those four teams will comprise the field for the district AAAA tournament beginning next Thursday, May 26: #1 seed Central Mountain (18-2) home against fourth-seeded Altoona (9-10); and Mifflin County (14-6), the two seed home against three seed State College (11-6). The winners will meet Wednesday, June 1 for the district crown.

State today rode the right arm of junior Gavin Schaefer-Hood to the win. He held the Wildcats to two hits, a booming triple to right from Brandon Miller and a single in the hole from Wyatt Koch. Otherwise Schaefer-Hood was in total command, allowing only one other base-runner, a walk to Asher Corl in the sixth inning. He finished with four strikeouts and was backed by perfect defense.

The only Central Mountain run came in the bottom of the third, Miller’s leadoff triple followed by an RBI groundout from Corl. The Wildcats had a 1-0 lead at that point but it would not last long.

Wildcat starter Cole Reeder, who otherwise pitched an outstanding game, lost the edge in the top of the fourth, the Little Lions batting around, the inning built around a ground-rule double from Zach Ripka followed by a 2-run single from Tucker Triebold; the CM cause was not helped by two walks and a hit batter in the frame.

Reeder would finish with a complete game 3-hitter, striking out eight and walking three, hitting two. It was the senior right-hander’s first loss after five straight wins.