JERSEY SHORE – The Wildcats just keep rolling.

Despite facing their second adverse scenario of the week in the form of sound pitching from Bulldog starting pitcher Landyn Rhea, a controlled effort through all seven innings allowed Central Mountain (9-0) to once again land on top. Malaky Moyd got it going with a two-RBI homer, Brady Lavelle pitched a one-hit shutout through five and the Wildcats added insurance runs in each of the last four innings, defeating rival Jersey Shore 6-2.

On a bright, sunny day at Thompson Street Community Park, Central Mountain notched its ninth straight win to open the season. It wasn’t its flashiest in recent weeks, as it entered the game having outscored its previous four opponents by a combined score of 46-7. But it was one that further displayed its composure and balance, as it made the most of its opportunities while dominating defensively.

“(Landyn) Rhea did an outstanding job pitching and was able to just mix it up and do what he had to do, so we were fighting and battling, scratching and clawing, trying to get a run here and there,” said Central Mountain head coach Michael Kramer on the win. “Jersey Shore has a tough team that can put runs on the board, and (Lavelle) kept them down. Very proud of Brady Lavelle coming in and filling up the strike zone. Very pleased with Dane (Hanna) coming in and finishing the game.”

After a scoreless, hitless first, catcher Watt Probst got the first hit on the board for the Wildcats to start the second and Malaky Moyd (2-for-3, 2 RBIs) stepped up to the plate with the team’s best early opportunity to capitalize in hand.

He’d shake off an early 0-2 count, watching two balls go by to even it at 2-2. Then, he’d receive the pitch he wanted and swing for the fences, making great contact and sending a shot right down the middle to net the Wildcats two pivotal runs.

“He threw a curve ball right at the top of the zone, had to take a good hack at it. (Was looking) one oppo, short porch to right,” said Moyd. “Felt good off the bat. Was pretty solid.”

He’d be involved in the team’s next score in the fourth as well, stealing second to get into scoring position before a well-placed grounder from Nate Wian gave him a shot a home. He’d round the bases with blistering speed to get there, beginning a four-inning span where the Wildcats never changed sides without another run on the board.

Felix Oquendo got home on two separate occasions, stealing two bases in the fourth before getting batted in on a sacrifice fly and also making it on an RBI single from leadoff batter Isaiah Maldonado in the seventh. Hunter Hoy would net the team’s remaining run in the sixth, getting to third off a single from Moyd and home on a fielder’s choice.

Landyn Rhea, Shore closer Hunter Enders and its field certainly didn’t make it easy, allowing a combined five hits and rarely attributing costly errors. But on the rare opportunities Central Mountain got, it was able to take advantage.

“It took us a bit, but we singled here and got one run here or there,” said Kramer. “We just have to make sure we’re adapting to the type of pitchers we’re going to be seeing. Have to trust the training that we do and make sure we carry it over into the game. Just stay relaxed and do what we know how to do.”

It helps when your pitcher is as locked in as Brady Lavelle was on Thursday afternoon.

Despite making his first start from the mound, Brady Lavelle put together an ace-caliber outing, striking out ten while walking three and holding the Bulldogs to just one hit through five innings. He never faced more than four batters in an inning, retiring the side in the second and third.

“No nerves. Just stay calm, do what I know I can do and keep chugging,” said Lavelle on his mindset entering the start. “I thought I did pretty well, pretty proud of it. Felt like everything was working, like I wasn’t doing much wrong. But there’s always room for improvement.”

Though Shore threatened late, with Nolen Pauling batting in two runs in the seventh to make it 6-2, that impact came with two outs already on the board. Closing pitcher Dane Hanna would seal the game with a strikeout one batter later, as the Wildcats struck out 12 of 28 batters faced.

It was a tough loss for the Bulldogs (5-5), who fell back down to .500 after ending a four-game losing streak earlier this week. But the performance didn’t come without positives, particularly on the defensive end, and head coach Joe Donn feels the team can build off it.

“This may be one of the best teams that I’ve seen out of Central Mountain in a while. It’s always tough to lose but to stay right there with them as much as we did today, I’m going to take that out of it and how we battled in the end. I’m proud of the boys,” said Donn.

“We have some things figured out. We’re getting better each game, and we just told the guys we’ve just got to go 1-0 each game. So, it’s Shamokin next and there’s nobody past that.”

For Central Mountain, it’s just a matter of continuing to build on its momentum. It returns to action next Monday, when it travels to take on Selinsgrove.

“Let’s just keep winning, keep working and get back out on Monday,” said Lavelle.

“Today’s just another step in the road. Gotta take down Selinsgrove on Monday, hoping to get a dub there,” emphasized Moyd. “Just keep pushing through the season, trying to stay strong.”

Central Mountain 6, Jersey Shore 2

CM 020 111 1 – 6 5 0

JS 000 000 2 – 2 3 2

Brady Lavelle, Dane Hanna (6) and Watt Probst. Landyn Rhea, Hunter Enders (7) and Mason Winter. W – Lavelle. L – Rhea.

Top Central Mountain hitters: Malaky Moyd 2-3, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Nate Wian 1-3, 2 RBIs; Isaiah Maldonado 1-4, RBI; Watt Probst 1-2; Felix Oquendo 2 runs. Top Jersey Shore hitters: Nolan Pauling 1-3, 2 RBIs; Hunter Enders 1-1; Collin Berguson 1-3; Mason Winter, Mazden Lupton run.

Records: Central Mountain 9-0 (6-0 Heartland-I); Jersey Shore 5-5 (1-3 Heartland-I).