TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Central Mountain's Blake Walker (10) runs off the field during a baseball game against State College at Medlar Field earlier this season. Walker pitched six scoreless innings in Central's 3-1 win over Dubois on Monday.

MILL HALL – Two outs into the sixth inning, it seemed like Dubois (12-2) had finally found an answer on offense. Two hits translated into the team’s first run of the afternoon, ending the Wildcats’ chance at a shutout. And a third would put the tying run on base amidst its top of the order.

In a game they had largely controlled, Central Mountain ace Blake Walker and his field would be put to the test in the game’s defining moment – a potential script changer. But despite the added pressure, the Wildcats proved themselves up to the task.

A called third strike translated into Central Mountain’s third out of the frame, and the Wildcats would go on to close out the seventh in four to keep the damage at one run. In a defensive slugfest, Aiden Jones led the team’s offensive attack, logging two crucial hits and contributing to two of his team’s three runs, as Central Mountain won a demanding non-conference matchup by a score of 3-1.

For head coach Mike Kramer and his team, the win served as another confidence booster, with Kramer considering the Beavers to be the toughest team Central Mountain has hosted this season. The defense held firm while the offense did what it needed to, aspects which helped it pull off a difficult victory.

“We had a lot of great plays (defensively), and when you rely on pitching and defense, that’s what’s going to win you baseball game,” said Kramer when discussing the win. “We got the timely hits when we needed to, kept a good team to minimal runs and came out on top today.”

While Dubois did a sound job staying within striking distance, Central Mountain was able to string hits together when it needed to. It built up a two-run cushion in a second inning that saw four Wildcats get on base before adding an additional run in the fifth to go up 3-0.

In the second, Jones led things off by making strong contact on a 3-1 pitch, belting a liner to the outskirts of Mike Kramer field that resulted in a leadoff double. One batter later, senior outfielder Josh Ludlow delivered a grounder to left for an RBI single, batting Jones home to secure the team’s first run.

From there, the Wildcats would load the bases before a fielding error on a pop fly from Darius Shade granted them their second run. Dubois would catch Yayfran Sanchez diving for home to prevent the rally from gaining additional legs, but Central Mountain had cracked the scoreboard, nonetheless.

Three innings later, it was Blake Walker logging a one-out double to give the Wildcats another chance at offense. Dubois would pick up the second out before Jones impacted the scoreboard again, this time on an RBI single on a high grounder to left. In a game headlined by its defense, Jones finished 2-of-3 with a double, RBI and run.

“Just got to put the ball in play,” said Jones on how his mindset fueled his performance. “When you see it down the middle, you’ve got to take advantage of those pitches. Can’t get deep in the count and can’t just look for walks.”

Defensively, Walker put together another standout performance from the mound, striking out five to four hits and a walk while tossing six scoreless innings and five retirements. However, it wouldn’t have been possible without complementary play from his field.

Senior third baseman Austin Frank and shortstop Darius Shade each made big plays, with Shade throwing a rope for a force out in the sixth just before the Dubois runner reached first and Frank posting three force outs and the game-sealing put out.

At catcher, Watt Probst picked off a runner stealing in the first, delivered on two dropped third strikes and mostly avoided an infield collision with Walker in the seventh to secure Central Mountain’s second out. And in the rare cases where Dubois drove a ball into the outfield, Felix Oquendo, Austin Andrus and Josh Ludlow were on it.

“I give all the praise to my teammates,” said Walker on the win. “They fielded the ball really well today. I put them in good situations, and they locked in for me. Fielding is not necessarily easy at all times, so getting through that like that was outstanding.”

“Solid pitching from Blake Walker again. He’s just a bulldog, and he wants the ball and gets after it,” said Kramer on Walker. “And then tremendous defensive support behind him – Austin Frank at third, Darius (Shade) at short and Aiden (Jones) at first.”

When push turned to shove late, Walker accredited trust in his teammates and himself for maintaining control.

While Central Mountain could’ve opted to send a reliever in after the sixth, the team stayed confident in the game plan and was able to seal the deal without burning more arms. And Walker entered the seventh with 68 pitches, a comfortable number given his track record as a starter.

“I trust my teammates and believe in them with all my heart. If they don’t feel it, we’ll come in and score some runs,” said Walker. “We definitely felt comfortable. I’ve thrown a good number of pitches a lot this year, and I was sitting at a very good number for how late it was in the game.”

With the win, Central Mountain improved to 9-2 on the season, picking up its second straight win since its most recent loss to Williamsport. It’ll be back on action on Thursday, as it kicks off a two-game road stint with a Heartland-I matchup at Shikellamy.

“Just ready to get back to work tomorrow and give our best practice no matter where we’re at, whether it’s inside, outside, wherever,” said Kramer on his thoughts moving forward.

Thursday’s game is set for 4:30 p.m.

Central Mountain 3, Dubois 1

Dubois A. 000 001 0 – 1 4 1

C. Mount. 020 010 X – 3 8 0

Blake Walker and Watt Probst. Grady Galiczynski and Trey Wingard. W – Walker. L – Galiczynski.

Top Dubois hitters: Samson Deeb 1-2, RBI; Jack Statler run; Madix Clark 1-2; Trey Wingard 1-3. Top Central Mountain hitters: Aiden Jones 2-3, 2B, RBI, run; Josh Ludlow 1-3, RBI; Luke Nonemaker run; Blake Walker 1-2, 2B; Darius Shade, Watt Probst 1-3.

Record: Central Mountain 9-2.