BRONX, N.Y., April 2, 2019 – Powered by Edward Mata's complete game, Monroe Express baseball defeated Kingsborough Community College, 11-1, in a run-rule shortened five innings on Tuesday at Roberto Clemente State Park.
 
The Express took the early lead in the bottom of the first. A.J. Torres reached on an error, Devon Marrero walked and Jesus Hilario drew a hit-by-pitch to load the bases. Nicanor Marte knocked in a run with an RBI single, and Miguel Reicino hit a sacrifice fly to left to give the Express a 2-0 lead.
 
Kingsborough got on the scoreboard in the top of the second, as Abner Victory walked, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a wild pitch to cut Monroe's lead to 2-1.
 
However, the Express answered with four more runs in the bottom of the second. Juan Jorge led off the inning with a walk and stole second. Harold Valdez reached on a hit-by-pitch, before a fielder's choice put runners at first and second. Marrero singled through the right side to score and run before Jesus Tejada came up with the big hit, mashing a two-run double to left center to extend the lead to 5-1.
 
Monroe added another run in the inning on Marte's RBI single, scoring Tejada from third, to take a 6-1 lead after two.
 
Mata worked another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third, before the Express again extended their lead in the bottom of the frame. Reicino walked to lead off the inning, advancing to second on Emanuel Veras' sacrifice bunt. Reicino moved to third on a passed ball and second on an error, before the Wave made a pitching change.
But the Express continued their charge, scoring another run on Valdez' single and Torres' RBI groundout to extend their lead to 9-1. Marrero followed with another single before Tejada tripled, his second extra-base hit of the game, to make it a 10-1 lead. Tejada finished the game with two hits, going 2-for-3 with a double, triple, run scored and three RBI.
 
Mata stranded a runner at third base in the top of the fourth, before the Express scratched out another run in the bottom of the inning. Reicino walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and took third on Veras' fielder's choice. When Veras tried to steal second, Reilyn Pena's throw sailed into the outfield, allowing Reicino to give the Express an 11-1 lead.
 
And in the top of the fifth, Mata worked around a one-out single, stranding the runner at second base, to give the Express an 11-1, run-rule shortened victory.
 
Mata (1-1) picked up the win for the Express, allowing one unearned run on three hits, walking one and striking out four over 5.0 innings pitched. Brian McRedmond (0-1) takes the loss for the Wave, who fall to 6-9 (6-3 Region XV), while the Express move to 2-13 (1-4 Region XV) with the victory.
 
Marrero and Marte also each added two hits, as Marrero went 2-for-3 with a walk, three runs scored and an RBI, while Marte went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
 
The Express will be back in action on Friday, April 5 when they again host Kingsborough Community College at Roberto Clemente State Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus as of the fall of 2017, has nine varsity and junior varsity 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 (@MonroeExpress) and Instagram (@MonroeExpress).