13U Monarchs Win PG World Series!
Congratulations to the 13U Monarchs for winning the PG World Series! It was a great team effort, with the team going 5-0 on the weekend. The offense was clicking, scoring 52 runs, and batting .353 with a .970 OPS. Nine different pitchers combined for a 2.93 ERA, surrendering only 13 earned runs all weekend.
The Monarchs rolled through pool play 2-0, outscoring their opponents 27-3, and entered bracket play as the #2 seed. In the quarterfinals, Oliver Myers led the way, pitching a complete game and helping himself with 2 hits at the plate. Jake Brown added 2 doubles and 3 RBIs, as the Monarchs defeated the Georgia Braves 8-3. Next up in the semifinals were the Kennesaw Generals, whom the Monarchs had already played twice this season, splitting the games 1-1. PItching again was the story. After an efficient 3 innings from Connor Evans, Sebastien Zdan took the mound and shut down the Generals allowing only 2 hits over 4 innings, and the Monarchs moved on after a business-like 8-4 win.
A formidable ATL Lightning team awaited in the finals as the sun set at Morgan Falls Park. Jake Brown took the mound for the Monarchs, and after giving up 2 leadoff hits, struck out 2 to get out of the first with no damage. The Monarchs jumped out 5-0 after 2 innings, powered by a 2-RBI triple from Connor Evans and a 2-RBI double by Nicholas McMahon. Jake Brown left it all on the field, battling a good Lightning lineup for 5 innings. After coaxing a double play grounder and a strike out to end the 5th, he left the game with a 7-3 lead. To no one’s surprise, the Lightning answered in the top of the 6th, plating 4 runs on 5 hits to tie the game at 7. In the bottom of the 6th, Aaron Brown drew a 2-out walk setting the stage for an epic Max Forde at-bat. After fouling off two 3-2 pitches, Forde scorched an outside fastball to right field and came all the way around to score, giving the Monarchs a 9-7 lead. Coach Gooden handed the ball to Nicholas McMahon for the 7th, and he delivered the save with a ground out, strike out, and pop out to second, sealing a dramatic 9-7 Monarchs win.
Go Monarchs!