BRENTWOOD, N.Y. – Region 15 announced its 2026 Softball All-Region team on Sunday afternoon and Monroe University – Bronx is heavily represented. Tiara Desanto was named the Region 15 Gold Glove Winner and earned a spot on the All-Region first team. Ebony Hernandez also received All-Region first-team honors. Kimberly Coste was selected to the Region 15 All-Sportsmanship team and was bestowed All-Region second-team accolades. Melissa Martinez, Karla Recio Rodriguez, Rossel Hercules, Nevaeh Feliciano, and Taina Nieves garnered All-Region second-team kudos.

The full release by Region 15 can be seen here.

Desanto had a strong rookie campaign for the Express. She hit four home runs, scored 37 times, drove in 26 runs, lined 10 doubles, scorched a pair of triples, had a batting average of .382, slugged .618, stole 26 bases, and walked 19 times in 37 games played this year. On the defensive end, Desanto played third base and shortstop during the season. She tallied 58 putouts and just as many assists. Desanto was also named to the Region 15 All-Tournament team and was bestowed Region 15 Athlete of the Month honors for March. 

Hernandez produced five home runs, lined three doubles, crossed home plate 26 times, compiled 18 RBIs, walked 15 times, and swiped 10 bases during the year. Hernandez had an impressive batting average of .325 during her 34 games played this year. 

Coste won three games in the circle during the season and went the distance just as many times. She struck out 34 batters during her rookie run. The highlight was on April 12 at NJCAA Division II Orange County Community College where Coste was outstanding in relief. She earned the win after tossing 4 2/3 innings and allowing just one unearned run while limiting the Colts to two hits.

Martinez was a productive two-way player during her sophomore year. She hit a two-run homer in Monroe's season-opening doubleheader at NJCAA Division II Anne Arundel Community College on March 1. In the circle, she earned the win in Game 2 of the Region 15 First-Round Series at Dutchess Community College on April 28, going five innings to keep Monroe alive in the series. Thanks to her strong performance, she was named to the Region 15 All-Tournament team. 

Rodriguez hit .358 with one homer, five doubles, 23 runs scored, 21 RBIs, 12 walks, and a perfect 12-for-12 in stolen-base attempts during her first year with Monroe.

Hercules produced 90 putouts and 33 assists on the defensive end. She also had a .340 batting average with one round-tripper, nine doubles, two triples, 25 runs, 20 stolen bases, 18 RBIs, and 14 walks in her rookie year.

Feliciano hit four doubles, scored 18 times, drove in 15 runs, walked 10 times, and stole nine bases during her first year with the program. 

Nieves drilled four doubles, scored 11 times, and drove in just as many runs. She was a strong presence defensively with 76 putouts and eight assists. She also had an outstanding fielding percentage of .913. 

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.

For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).