GARDEN CITY, N.Y., April 13, 2018 – Devon Marrero and Emanuel Veras' RBI singles in the top of the first gave the Monroe Express the lead, but it wouldn't be enough to hold out Nassau Community College, as the Express fell, 17-4, in a run-rule shortened five innings, dropping to 0-16 (0-13) on the season.
 
Harold Valdez led off the first with a double to centerfield against the Lions, stole third and came around to score on Marrero's RBI single to give the Express the lead. Marrero advanced to third on a wild pitch, and with two-outs, scored on Veras' single to center, giving the Express a 2-0 lead after the top of the first.
 
But the Lions came right back to tie the game and take the lead in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs on one hit to take a 4-2 lead into the second inning.
 
And after the Express threatened, loading the bases in the top of the second inning, but were unable to score, Nassau quickly turned the tide with 10 runs in the bottom of the second, knocking Monroe starter Andy Rodriguez out of the game, and taking a 14-2 lead.
 
On Jesus Hilario's RBI groundout, and Veras' RBI single to left, the Express were able to get two back in the top of the third, cutting the deficit to 14-4. But again, the Lions responded in the bottom of the inning, extending their lead back out to double digits on Luke Lospitalier's two-run single.
 
Nassau added another run in the bottom of the fourth after the Express left two on base in the top of the inning, and Tyler Needleham shut down Monroe in the top of the fifth, to earn his first victory of the season, and give the Lions a 17-4, five-inning, run-rule victory. Rodriguez (0-5) takes the loss for the Express.
Veras led the Express at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBI, while Marrero also tallied two hits, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and an RBI. Valdez and Raymond Pichardo each tallied extra-base hits for the Express, while Valdez, Marrero and Alberto Taveras each swiped a bag.
 
The Express will look to bounce back on Saturday, April 14 when they take on the Lions in a doubleheader at Roberto Clemente State Park beginning at 12 p.m.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's rugby, and the newly added club women's rugby team, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of Monroe's Bronx campus has six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level beginning with their inaugural seasons in the fall of 2017.
 
For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter (@MonroeExpress) and Instagram (@MonroeExpress).