When Edwin Garcia was selected as the Montgomery County Wildcats’ starting pitcher against Clopton on April 11, he was determined to improve on his last pitching performance on April 5, when he gave up a season-high seven walks against Silex in four innings.

The sophomore did just that against the Hawks, throwing his first no-hitter of his high school baseball career in the Wildcats’ 10-0 win that ended in six innings. He walked just three batters and struck out a season-high six batters to help his team remain undefeated in Eastern Missouri Conference play at 4-0.

“There’s nothing better than a perfect game, but I just threw a no-hitter, so it feels great and amazing,” Garcia said.

Garcia also picked up his second win of the season. He also earned a victory against Linn in the Wildcats’ home opener on March 21. MCHS won that contest 12-1 in five innings.

Garcia retired his first five batters against Clopton. He battled through windy conditions to turn in his longest outing of the season.

“I felt a lot better on the mound,” Garcia said. “Everything was working. I definitely trusted my team. I know we have pretty good defense and it showed today. I’m really hoping to help the team out as much as I can whenever we go on our run.”

Garcia said against Clopton, he pitched with a lot more confidence than he did in the contest against Silex in which he pitched four innings and was relieved with one out in the fifth after walking his seventh batter.

“I just came out energetic,” Garcia said. “I felt like a little bit more energy was what our team needed. I kind of brought that today and helped all of us out.”

The Wildcats’ offense also had some energy, scoring five runs in the fourth, four in the fifth and one in the sixth. The game ended with no outs in the bottom of the sixth, when senior Bryson Hoffmann, who walked, scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Noah Beck.

MCHS’ five-run fourth inning was highlighted by a two-run double from senior Mason Leu that bounced off the foot of Clopton right fielder Camden Lilley.

“We had a little more energy in the fourth inning,” Garcia said. “We started scoring and it worked.”

Leu, Hoffman, brothers Jace and Colby Ellis, Seth Walton and Jake Stellwagen each had a hit and Leu and Jace Ellis each drove in three runs for MCHS, which scored 10 or more runs for the fourth time this season.

The Wildcats, who shared the EMO title with Elsberry last year, also defeated Bowling Green, Silex and Mark Twain in league play. They were scheduled to play an EMO game at Van-Far on April 16.

“Obviously, we’re hoping to win the conference,” Garcia said. “I feel like we definitely have the chance. We’re 4-0 already and we’re going to keep on pushing and trying to win.”

MCHS also improved to 3-0 at home. Its next home game will be at 5 p.m. on April 18 against North Callaway.

Garcia is back for his second year with the Wildcats this spring. Last year, he helped the Wildcats win 14 games and was named to the all-district team.

“I am really enjoying Montgomery,” said Garcia, who moved to Montgomery County five years ago. “I have built a lot of relationships with a lot of people. Baseball helped me build a lot of relationships, too. It definitely helps you trust your team a lot more whenever you’re out there doing whatever you’re doing.”