CHARLOTTE — For the second time in three years, a team of Surry County 18-and-under baseball all-stars are Western North Carolina Babe Ruth champions.

The 2009 Surry all-stars earned that distinction Monday night in Charlotte, beating Matthews 13-3 in the title game of the 18-under state tournament. Surry went 3-0 in the WNC state event, topping Matthews 3-2 in Saturday's opener and then beating the Metro Reds 5-4 on Sunday to make the championship game.

The Western North Carolina title brings with it a berth in the upcoming Southeast Regional tournament in Anderson, S.C. on July 23-27.

The regional winner then moves on to the Babe Ruth 18-and-under World Series in Moses Lake, Wash. in mid-August. Surry was fourth in the Southeast Regional in 2007.

Winning state again seemed like a bit of a long shot for this year's team when the summer began. Several regulars from the past couple of seasons had aged out, while others were focusing their attention on playing for Surry's American Legion team during most of June and early July.

But the Surry all-stars, competing under the name Elkin Royals during regular season play in the Queen City League, picked up the pace when it counted most. Thanks to a late season rally, Surry ended up tied with Matthews for first place in the league of mostly Charlotte-area teams, despite losing to Matthews twice.

Matthews' late season losses to Indian Trail and Dilworth opened the door for the Royals to catch them in the standings.

The Elkin team beat Indian Trail 11-2 in Charlotte to pull closer.

Matt Carter went 3-for-5 in that game, socking a three-run homer over the left field fence. The former Elkin High player had five RBIs in all on the day.

Ty Hudson (Surry Central), Kyle Whitman (Elkin), Josh Carter (Elkin), Dillon Wilcox (East Surry), David Tilley (Elkin) and Corey Uldrick (Elkin) each had two hits. Wilcox, Matt Hinson (Elkin) and Matt Carter kept Indian Trail off balance from the mound, combining for a four-hitter.

Indian Trail then came to Elkin for a double-header which would decide the Royals' regular-season fate.

Wilcox tossed a no-hitter in the opener, and the Royals allowed only one unearned run to take the victory. The Royals scored five runs in three consecutive innings to win going away.

Joseph Davis (Surry Central) had three hits, while Ty Hudson and Whitman earned two hits apiece. One of Whitman's hits was a homer.

In game two, Elkin left no doubt, exploding for a 17-2 triumph.

Whitman and Matt Carter had three hits each. Josh Carter. Ty Hudson and Wilcox stroked two hits apiece. Hinson and Davis carried the pitching load, holding Trail to only two scores.

This is the fifth year in a row that the Elkin Royals/Surry all-stars have won at least a share of a regular season title. This is their first in the Queen City League.

Surry features players from all five of the county's high schools. The rest of the roster includes David Tilley, Chatham Wurdeman and Derrick Millaway from Elkin; Tanner Hudson, Austin McLamb and Luke Harris from Surry Central; Taylor Hull from North Surry and Christian Easter from Mount Airy.

Gregg Carter manages the Surry all-stars, with help from coaches Mack Hinson, Keith Whitman and Brian Carter.