The Menchville Monarchs have dominated the competition on the peninsula in Virginia, racking up an 11-0 record and a No. 4 rating in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings.
In outscoring their opponents 99-13, the Monarchs have been close to unstoppable at the plate. About the only pitcher capable of shutting down the Monarch offense is wearing No. 23 in the Menchville dugout, and there’s no chance that he’s going to face the Monarchs in competition. At least, not anymore.
Ethan Carter, Menchville
Courtesy photo
As a freshman in high school, Menchville senior standout pitcher Ethan Carter attended Denbigh, which is also located in Newport News. In the district championship game, Carter started on the mound against his future team and threw four and a third hitless innings and gave up just three runs on three hits for the entire game.
“That was easily the best high school lineup I ever faced and probably ever will face,” Carter said. “Holding them to three runs on three hits really showed me I could pitch against the big dogs and compete.”
Three years later, Carter is helping the Monarchs march toward a possible state championship. The leading pitcher on the squad, Carter feels the team could be in for an outstanding year.
“I’m hoping our team can make it all the way to states this year,” he said. “Our pitching and defense is definitely what makes our team what it is, and pitching and defense carry you a long ways when the competition gets better.”
So far the Monarchs have had little competition in ringing up an 11-0 mark. Menchville has four wins by shutout and only two games have been within a run. One of those games was a 4-3 win over Gloucester, a team Carter knows will give the Monarchs a challenge.
“Gloucester is a scrappy team with great hitters 1-9. They also make very few mistakes in the field,” Carter said.
Carter has had few missteps on the ballfield so far this year. He opened the season with four innings of no-hit ball before giving way in the fifth inning during a 10-0 win over Hampton. He got the win in relief in a 2-1 victory over Bethel and he pitched in the rain and mud against Warwick before winning 8-4.
He put together his two best outings of the season in back-to-back performances against Granby and Heritage. Carter, a 6-5 righthander, did not allow a run in either game, beating Granby 6-0 and Heritage 10-0. He also struck out 13 batters in each outing.
Last year, Carter posted a 6-4 record with a 1.21 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched. His performance gained him a spot on the East roster for the Aflac All-American Game in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium in August. Carter threw one inning, striking out two and allowing no runs on no hits.
“It was amazing to get to play with the best players in the entire country, moments and people I will never forget,” he said.
Carter also spent time over the summer playing in the Area Code Games as well as playing for the North Hurricanes summer league team and the Cleveland Indians East Coast Pro team.
“All my teams were filled with great people and there was never a time I could say I wasn’t having any fun,” Carter said. “They were a great group of guys to play with and be coached by.”
Carter, who has signed to play at South Carolina next year, will be paying close attention to the Major League draft come June.
“The thought of playing in the Major Leagues is a thrill,” Carter said. “It’s always been my dream and I would love the opportunity to do that.”
One of the people who has helped Carter strive toward that dream is Rusty Ingram.
“I’ve worked with him on my pitching ever since I was nine-years old,” Carter said. “He taught me almost everything I know about pitching and he also taught me how to be a man on and off the field.”
Carter currently throws between 88 and 90 mph and is described by Menchville coach Phil Forbes as a player with great focus and determination.
“He has great body and mind command on the mound,” said the 19-year coach. “He has great size, he works very hard and he has a great family. He will only get better as he matures in life.”
Anytime a team is ranked No. 4 in the country, the accomplishment is a team effort, not an individual one. Carter points out that he believes many of his teammates can play at the next level as well, including centerfielder Matt Armstead, pitcher Austin Chrismon, catcher Jeff Gray, first baseman Hunter Lewis, pitcher Jharel Cotton, shortstop Logan Selentis-Jose and utility player Devorn Lake.
The Monarchs have nine games left on the regular season schedule, including rematches with tough opponents like Bethel on April 28 and Gloucester on May 2. Carter says the team is hoping to complete what it has started.
“So far the season is going great, but we have to keep working,” Carter said. “The bats need to be a little more consistent and the pitchers have to keep throwing strikes. We hope to finish the season as well as we’ve started.”
