William Monroe had two simple but lofty goals coming into the season — win the Jefferson District regular season title, win the JD tournament championship. Thanks to a 12-1 win over Monticello on Thursday in five innings, the Greene Dragons accomplished those goals, but they didn’t think it would come about like this, unbeaten in the district.
“This is unbelievable,” said Monroe coach Mike Maynard. “We swept the district in the regular season and now won three tournament games in a row. We had some big goals before the season but this wasn’t one them — I never dreamed of going undefeated in the district. It’s a tribute to our guys, they’re just great kids and do everything I ask.”
There aren’t many seniors on Maynard’s squad, and as impressed as the coach was, the upperclassmen were even more appreciative of this run.
“This is a once in a lifetime kind of thing,” said senior Cody Thacker. “No Monroe team has done this before, go unbeaten through the district. This is a great accomplishment, not just for the individuals, but the team, the school and all of Greene County.”
Starting pitcher Logan Forloines threw three innings for the Dragons and had his toughest inning in the first thanks to three walks and an RBI single from Monticello’s Conner Lilly. However, that’s all that Monroe’s pitching staff gave up. After Forloines came out, Lamar Nelson breezed through the fourth and Trey Kirby, coming off of a collapsed lung injury earlier in the year, took care of business in the fifth.
While the pitching and defense was more than solid for the Dragons, the offense was outstanding.
“My god, we were hitting the ball tonight,” Maynard said. “We were hitting line drives. Cody Thacker, Lamar Nelson both had great games.”
In the bottom of the first, freshman Austin Batten drove in two runs on a single to give his team a 2-1 lead.
In the second, Monroe piled up five runs on a an RBI single from Jacob Hirtz, an RBI ground out from Batten, a wild pitch and a 2-run single from Thacker to make it a comfortable six run lead.
Thacker and the Dragons got back to work two innings later. After an RBI single from Ryan Morris, Thacker drove in two more runs, this time on a double.
“Today I was seeing the ball really well but it’s kind of been like this all season,” Thacker said. “I just kind of came through, it felt great.”
Ryan Leake followed up in the next at bat with an RBI triple. In the next at bat, Nelson came through with an RBI double to make it 12-1.
On the day Thacker was 2 for 2 with four RBI and a stolen base. Forloines was 1 for 1 with two walks, two runs scored and a stolen base. Nelson was 2 for 3 with a triple and a double. Everyone of Monroe’s starters either scored a run or drove in a run.
For Monticello, Dylan Wood and Malm were the only two other batters to register a hit. Malm also drew a walk. Max Mann scored the lone Mustang run.
“Whevever you’re in the championship game you want to win but William Monroe, hat’s off, every single mistake we made they took it, one through nine and hit it hard,” said Mustangs coach Pete O’Malley. “It’s one to grow on. I told the guys not to dwell on it though, back in February there wasn’t anyone who thought we’d be here.”
Monticello earned its ticket to the next round of the playoffs by beating Fluvanna in the JD semifinals. The Mustangs will host their Region II game on Monday at 4 p.m. and are looking forward to seeing a new opponent and the next level of the playoffs.
“We didn’t know we’d get a home game,” O’Malley said. “We’re going to have the place rocking, so if you can’t get up for a home playoff game like that, there is something wrong with your blood system.”
Monroe will host its Region II quarterfinal game on Tuesday in Orange and will find out its opponent on Monday.
