Monarch Wins First-Ever District Title 3-0 In Shortened Championship Game

The Monarch Knights won their first district title Thursday night, defeating the Northeast Hurricanes 3-0 in 7A-15 in a game halted in the sixth inning by unruly fans.

Knights starter Andrew Pierson pitched dominantly and went the distance to pace Monarch (18-4), which will host St. Thomas in a regional quarterfinal Wednesday. Northeast (9-12) will play at Nova.

The game was stopped in the sixth inning for everyone’s safety by the umpiring crew, who called the Broward Sheriff’s Office when a verbal argument among the fans turned physical with pushing and shoving and nearly erupted into a brawl. One fan was ejected earlier in the game for yelling at the home-plate umpire to throw out a player. The game reverted back to the fifth inning as the official record because the sixth inning was not completed.

Monarch jumped out to a three-run lead in the bottom of the second, and Pierson did the rest. Pierson, who will play for Eckerd College next year, gave up only two hits while striking out nine on the way to the Knights’ biggest victory to date. Pierson was in control all night, facing only 18 batters in five innings.

Pierson said it feels great to end his senior season with a division title, and it’s a big confidence boost for the team. Pierson’s teammates played solid defense behind him, not allowing any errors. Some aggressive baserunning and two big hits in the bottom of the second by designated hitter Brian George and first baseman Nick Alonzo were all the Knights needed offensively.

Eduardo Uriarte started the game for Northeast and was replaced in the second inning by Corey Korenic who pitched a good game the rest of the way. Korenic faced 10 Monarch batters, striking out five and not giving up any runs.

The Hurricanes’ offense struggled all night to help Korenic. Center fielder DJ Kelly and starting second baseman Austin Ligons, who was moved to first early in the game, had the only two hits for the Hurricanes. The only other baserunner in the game for Northeast was Anthony Horvat, who was hit by a pitch in the first inning.

In the top of the second inning, the Knights led off with a walk by Kenny Finley, who then stole second and reached third on a throwing error before scoring on a passed ball. Andrew Rohloff reached first on a walk and scored on Brian George’s double. Then Nick Alonzo doubled in George. That was all Northeast could muster.

The Hurricanes came into the game with a 4-2 record in the district. Both loses were to Monarch, who went 6-0 in the district.

Monarch coach Joe Franco was happy and excited about his team’s victory but obviously disappointed about what happened off the field, as was Hurricanes coach Kevin Carney.

“I think we handled the situation as best we could under the circumstances,” Franco said.

Franco said he was pleased about Monarch’s season and his team’s execution Thursday, being aggressive at the plate to complement the strong outing by Pierson.

Carney said he was pleased with how the Hurricanes developed in his first season as head coach.

“Our season was up and down this year,” Carney said. “It’s always tough to come in your first year and implement your style and your system. It was a growing progress. We’re getting close to the direction I want to go. We are going to continue to build and get better.”

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