‘Cats Pile on Runs Late for 16-3 Win over Midd-West

MIDDLEBURG – After spotting the Midd-West a 3-0 lead early in the game, Central Mountain responded in a big way to earn a 16-3 PHAC win over Midd-West.

Trailing 3-0 after one inning of play, the Wildcats (8-5, 6-2) got on the scoreboard scoring 2 runs in the top of the second inning as a result of singles from Landon Breon, Aaron Swartz and Brandon Miller.

Asher Corl kept the momentum going with a one-out base hit in the third inning, then with two outs Mahlik Houtz worked a walk and Landon Breon drove in Austin Rager, the courtesy runner for Corl, with a solid base hit. Then Evan Prough drove in Houtz with a base hit to give the ‘Cats the first lead of the game, 4-3.

Then in the fourth inning, Central Mountain opened up the flood gates with 2 more runs with another single from Miller, a bunt from Trevor Hanna, base hits from Corl, Austin Carson and Houtz to go up 8-3.

The Wildcats added 2 more runs in the sixth inning with a base hits from Ethan Watkins, Brady Eck, a walk from Swartz, an RBI sac fly from Miller and another single from Hanna for the 10-3 lead.

In the seventh inning, it was more of the same for CM as they tacked another 6 runs. This time it was a walk from Corl, a double from Rocco Stark and a walk from Rager that got the ball rolling. Then Breon scored Corl on a fielder’s choice for the first score of the inning. Bobby George was the next batter and advanced to first after he was hit by a pitch. Eck reached first on a Mustang error to score Stark with A.J. Smith working a walk that brought in Breon.

Miller grounded into a fielder’s choice, Hanna earned a walk with bases loaded to score Eck. Corl was next to earn a base on ballers followed by After walks from Hanna and Corl and a base hit from Stark which scored Smith and Miller to cap the score at 16-3 in favor of the Wildcats.

Swartz pitched a full 6 innings for the ‘Cats. After a bit of a rough start the sophomore settled in to giving up 5 hits, 2 walks and striking out 8 batters in the effort. A.J. Smith closed out the game on the mound for Central Mountain striking out one batter.

The Wildcats will host Altoona tomorrow, Thursday, May 4, 2017 at Mill Hall Park. First pitch is slated for 4:30 p.m.