BRONX, N.Y., April 28, 2018 – Monroe Express baseball picked up its first victory in program history, splitting its Sophomore Day doubleheader against the Borough of Manhattan Community College Panthers. The Express won game one, 8-5, before dropping game two, 16-3, in a run-rule shortened five innings to move to 1-25 (1-22) on the season.
 
Game One: Monroe 8, BMCC 5
With a little help from his catcher, Jesus Hilario, Express starter Albert De Los Santos worked a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, as Hilario caught two batters stealing.
 
And after Harold Valdez groundout out to lead off the bottom of the first, Devon Marrero reached on an error give the Express their first base runner of the game. Marrero stole second, and advanced to third on Edwin Santiago's single, before Hilario gave the Express the lead with a two-run double to left. Raymond Pichardo followed, smashing a two-run homer to deep center, and the Express led, 4-0 after one.
 
BMCC loaded the bases and cut the Express' lead in half in the top of the second, but the Express responded in the bottom of the frame. Alvin Vasquez' one-out walk gave Monroe a baserunner, who Valdez moved into scoring position with a groundout. Vasquez advanced to third on a throwing error before Marrero brought him home with a single, extending the lead to 5-2.
 
The Panthers again loaded the bases in the top of the third, but again, Hilario picked off a runner at third and caught a runner stealing home to end the inning, keeping the lead at three.
 
The Express added to their lead in the bottom of the third, as after Emanuel Veras doubled to lead off the inning, and Hilario followed with a single, Pichardo knocked in two more with a two-run single, extending Monroe's lead to 7-2. Pichardo finished the day 2-for-4 with a home run, run scored and a team-high four RBI.
 
BMCC again tacked on two runs in the top of the fourth on Joel Batista's two-run single, but Hafel Payano relieved De Los Santos and struck out two to end the inning, leaving two runners stranded on base.
 
And once again, the Express answered, adding a run to their lead in the bottom of the fourth. After Marrero reached on a fielder's choice, Santiago smacked a double to right center, scoring Marrero, and extending the lead to 8-4.
 
And while BMCC made it 8-5 with a run on a fielder's choice in the top of the fifth, Payano struck out two to get out of a jam, and then worked scoreless sixth and seventh innings to give the Express their first victory in program history.
 
Payano (1-3) earned the win for the Express, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven and walking just two over 4.0 innings pitched. Batista (1-1) took the loss for BMCC, allowing eight runs over 5.2 innings pitched.
 
Hilario went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI, while Veras added two doubles, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
 
Game Two: BMCC 16, Monroe 3 (5 innings)
Jacob Roman got the start for the Express in game two, and after working two scoreless innings, he ran into some trouble in the third. BMCC scored three runs in the top of the third to take the lead, before adding eight more in the top of the fourth and five in the top of the sixth to extend their lead to 16-3.
 
The Express were able to get a couple back in the bottom of the fourth on Bryan Guzman and Jose Santiago's RBI singles, and another in the bottom of the fifth when Marrero scored on an error, but it wouldn't be enough as Monroe fell in a run-rule shortened five innings, 16-3.
 
Roman (0-2) takes the loss for the Express, while Kevin Tapia (1-0) picked up the win for BMCC.
 
Marrero and Guzman led the way offensively for the Express, each tallying two hits. Marrero went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Guzman went 2-for-2 with an RBI.
 
The Express will wrap up the home portion of their schedule on Monday, April 30 when they take on the College of Mount Saint Vincent JV at 4 p.m. at Roberto Clemente State Park.

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).