Loara’s Patrick Monroe has thrown two no-hitters in his career. (Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Loara pitcher Patrick Monroe got the experience a special feeling for the second time in his career earlier this month.
The Saxons senior left-hander threw his second no-hitter as Loara captured a 1-0 victory over Golden Valley on Tuesday, April 2.
Monroe also threw a no-hitter against Orange last year.
“I started off with a fastball,” Monroe said. “I had good command of it and good movement with and my curve ball had sharp movement and I was able to spot it where I wanted it.”
Monroe said he had a good feeling before the game even started.
“Right out of the bullpen, I thought this was my day right here,” he said.
Monroe, who has a 5-2 record, said he had plenty of support.
“The defense is always working for me, especially my shortstop Matt (Blackney),” Monroe said “He’s always talking it up making sure everyone is making their plays,” Monroe said.
Members of the squad charged the mound to celebrate with Monroe, who had thrown two one-hitters this season.
“Everyone was running out too, they knew right away,” he said. It was a great feeling.”
“That was a fun game to coach,” Loara Coach Shaun Hill said. “Patrick threw against a good team, Golden Valley. They beat Hart 3-0 so we knew they would be a good team. And Patrick was just on, he was throwing strikes, inside, outside with his fastball and it was probably the best I’ve seen him throw his curve ball all year long. When he gets throwing strikes, it’s hard to stop him and his momentum and we played really good defense behind him.
“It was a great day and any time a kid throws a no-hitter, you’re excited for him and you’re excited for the team.”
Last year, Monroe went through a similar experience in the no-hitter against Orange.
“That was a great day for me because I hit a home run that day,” he said. “I was 2 for 3 with a home run and it was probably one of my most memorable games in high school.”
It’s been quite a year for Loara which is 13-8 overall and 11-0 atop the Garden Grove League standings entering the week.
The Saxons wrap up the regular season with a big series against second place Rancho Alamitos (10-1) next week.
“This week and next week we have to make sure we grind it out at practice,” said Monroe, who hopes to play in junior college next season.
Monroe said the chemistry on the team has been led to a successful season.
“A lot of us knew each other coming into high school and our coach obviously does a great job,” he said.
RELATED: Monroe has a role in another no-hitter
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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