Eagles' Monroe shuts down CBA

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on May 25, 2012 1:49 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Nick Monroe dominated from the opening pitch.

Eastern Alamance's tough right-hander tossed a no-hitter as the Eagles downed Charles B. Aycock 6-0 in the opening game of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A East Regional championship series on Thursday night.

All the Golden Falcons could do is tip their respective caps and look forward to game two of the best-of-three series today at Eastern Alamance. Game time is 6 p.m.

"I told my guys after school that we had to win two games to go to the state finals," C.B. Aycock head coach Charles Davis said. "The great thing about a series is that the goal has not changed despite the loss."

Eastern Alamance (22-8 overall) jumped on top in the first inning.

Jake Wood drew a walk to lead off the game and Zack Little followed with a single. Monroe bounced into a fielder's choice before Robbie Lanier belted a home run to left field that made the score 3-0.

The Eagles added an unearned run in the fourth inning and two more unearned runs in the top of the seventh inning.

That would be more than enough support for Monroe.

The UNC-Wilmington signee opened the game by striking out five of the first six Golden Falcon hitters. Monroe hit Bryant Stafford with a pitch in the second inning and allowed a two-out walk to Collin DuBose in the seventh for his only blemishes.

"I was getting ahead with the fastball and that really set up my slider and my curveball," Monroe said. "It's a great feeling to get a win like this and physically I feel great. I will be ready to go a couple innings on Saturday if the coaches need me."

Monroe logged the complete-game win with just 98 total pitches. He struck out nine Golden Falcon hitters.

Adam Pate suffered the loss for Aycock, which dropped to 19-9 overall. Pate tossed five innings and allowed four runs. Ryan Grant allowed two unearned runs in two innings of relief work.

"I was really pleased with what Ryan did for us tonight," Davis said. "He went out and he ate up a couple of innings. You never know how that will play out as we used guys tomorrow and Saturday."