On the bump for the Wildcats was Junior Gage Laughner, starting his first game of the season. Laughner came into the contest with a 0.00 ERA after coming in relief in a win over DuBois on March 22. Opposing him on the mound would be Senior Sebastian Rhoads. Rhoads was also making his second appearance on the mound for the Little Lions.

While it was a beautiful day at Mill Hall Community Park, Laughner’s start was anything but. Laughner gave up three hits, two walks, and three runs in just three innings before being removed for the game.

While his stats may not have impressed, it was not all on him, as State College had some crafty tactics to put runs on the board. In the second inning Little Lions’ Jake Hall took off from first in an attempt to steal second, however as soon as the Wildcats catcher attempted to throw him out the runner on third dashed home and scored.

Going into the bottom of the second State College held onto a slim 2-0 lead, but that wouldn’t last much longer as Central Mountain’s bats sprang to life. The Wildcats scored four runs in the bottom of the second, coming from two two RBI singles from Jase Seltzer and Isaiah Maldonado.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Central Mountain’s Blake Walker slides into second base against State College on Monday.

After that little offensive explosion the Wildcats continued to pour it on, scoring five runs off of Rhoads and collecting six hits before chasing him out of the game. Then with the lead comfortably in hand Central Mountain head coach Mike Kramer turned to reliever Brady Myers in hopes he could hold the lead. Myers did more than just hold the lead however, as not only did he pitch 4.1 shutout innings, he also added to the lead an RBI double in the sixth.

Actually pitchers on both sides came up with some big hits, as Rhoads impressed with a two hit day himself.

Central Mountain’s growing momentum seemed to get into the head of the State College players, as their dugout got a little rowdy as the game wore on. Things boiled over in the fourth though, as State College coach Dave Williams got thrown out by the home plate umpire in the forth after voicing his frustration because of a mismanaged count.

Everyone in attendance was surprised when it seemed like a State College batter drew a walk, but the home plate umpire forgot the count and called what should have been ball four, just ball three. This costly mistake hurt the Little Lions as said batter would go on to strike out and end the inning. Coach Williams declined to comment on his thoughts after being tossed.

While many were left confused, the Wildcats ended any question on who the victor would be, scoring six runs after the fourth and holding the Little Lions scoreless.For the wildcats it was Blake Walker (1), Mayers (1), Connor Fultz (2), Watt Probst (2), Seltzer (2), amd Maldanado (2) who notched RBIs in the victory, with the 11th run being scored via wild pitch.

TIM WEIGHT/For The Express Central Mountain’s Connor Foltz celebrates during Monday’s game against State College. The Wildcats won, 11-3.

Meanwhile, Laughner would be credited with the win and Rhoads would take the tough loss. Then after Myers lost a bit of control in the seventh, it was Ashton Bennett who came on to shut the door.

After the game coach Kramer seemed very proud of his players performance in the victory, crediting all three pitchers and everyone in the lineup for their contributions.

“We are very pleased, but not satisfied. We started to break out at the plate and do a lot of things much better. Gage struggled a bit early on, but he came back and pitched a really solid three innings. Meyers threw a great four innings and held State High in check, then Ashton came in and finished the job for us.”

Up next for the Wildcats they will travel to Williamsport to take on Loyalstock on Wednesday.

CM 11, State College 3

SC 111 000 0 — 3 5 2

CM 040 133 3 x — 11 11 1

S. Rhoades,L. Shannon (5), A. Schirf (6) and Z. Mazer. G. Laughner, B. Myers (4), A. Bennett (7) and W. Probst. W: G. Laughner. L: Rhoades.

Top State College hitters: S. Rhoades 2-4, 2B, RBI, run. Top Central Mountain hitters: W. Probst 3-4, 2 RBIs, run; C. Foltz 2-3, 3B, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; B. Myers 2B.