BRONX, N.Y., April 9, 2019 – Monroe Express baseball dropped a Region XV matchup to the Bronx Community College Broncos, 17-11 on Tuesday at Roberto Clemente State Park in a rain-shortened seven innings.
 
The Broncos struck first against Jason Veras in the top of the first inning. Justin Nunez led off with a single, but Veras retired the next two batters on a strikeout and fielder's choice. Marcos Ayala stroked a two-out single to center, before Adrian Urena launched a two-run double to right center, giving Bronx a 2-0 lead.
 
A hit-by-pitch and a walk loaded the bases for the Broncos, but Veras struck out Christian Cedeno looking to keep the Broncos' lead at just two.
 
The Express responded to tie things up the bottom of the frame. Devon Marrero drew a walk and stole second. After Nicanor Marte struck out, Jesus Tejada blasted a two-run homer to deep center, tying the game at two.
 
Bronx scratched out a run to retake the lead in the top of the second. Steven Santana singled and advanced to second on Nunez' hit-by-pitch. Santana stole third and scored on Quincy Williams' sacrifice fly to give the Broncos a 3-2 lead.
 
Monroe again responded in the bottom of the second, this time taking the lead. A.J. Torres and Harold Valdez led off with back-to-back solo home runs, giving the Express a 4-3 lead and forcing the Broncos to make a pitching change.
 
Jesus Hilario followed with a walk, and Juan Jorge reached on a fielder's choice, before Marrero extended the lead to 6-3 with an RBI single. Tejada brought in another run with an RBI single, and the Express led, 7-3, after two.
 
Both teams went scoreless in the third, before the Broncos put up eight runs in the top of the fourth to retake the lead. With two on and two outs, Ayala doubled to left center, cutting Monroe's lead to 7-5. Ayala advanced to third on a wild pitch, before back-to-back RBI singles by Urena and Neudy Salvador tied the game at seven, forcing the Express to make a pitching change.
 
Brian Espaillat relieved Veras, but a hit-by-pitch and another single, this time a two-run single off the bat of Cedeno, gave the Broncos a 9-7 lead. Santana capped off the inning with a two-run homer, and the Broncos took an 11-7 lead.
 
The Express again came right back to tie the game in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Tejada walked and Bianyor Germosen singled to center, putting runners at first and second. A wild pitch moved Tejada and Germosen into scoring position, and Emanuel Veras walked to load the bases.
 
Torres cleared the bases with a three-run triple, and after Hilario drew another hit-by-pitch, Jorge singled down the right field line to tie the game at 11.
 
However, the Broncos took the lead for good in the top of the fifth inning when Hector Camacho scored on a dropped fly ball.
 
And after the Express went scoreless in the fifth and sixth innings, the Broncos extended their lead in the top of the fifth.
 
Urena's RBI single extended Bronx' lead to 13-11, before Cedeno's grand slam made it a 17-11 lead.
 
After a scoreless bottom of the seventh, the game was called due to inclement weather causing unplayable field conditions, giving the Broncos a 17-11 victory.
 
Espaillat (0-2) took the loss for Monroe, while Carlos Morel (1-0) earned the win for the Broncos.
 
Torres led the Express at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run, triple, walk, two runs scored and four RBI. Tejada added three hits, going 3-for-4 with a home run, walk, two runs scored and three RBI.
 
Valdez also hit a home run, going 1-for-4 with a home run, run scored and RBI.
 
The Express will be back in action on Wednesday, April 10 when they take on Vaughn College in a non-conference matchup at Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx, N.Y. 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).