Hampton, VA, March 8, 2020Â - The Monroe College Express baseball team closed out their non-conference weekend series against Thomas Nelson Community College on Sunday. The day was split with the Gators winning game one 7-3 while the Express took the finale 6-3.
Game One : Thomas Nelson 7, Monroe Express 3
In the opener, the Express struck early with two runs in the top of the first. Freshman Jose Holguin singled home Demetrio Rodriguez from second base for the first score of the day. In the next at-bat, Rey Rodriguez reached first on a base hit up the middle. After advancing to second on a passed ball and stealing third, Rodriguez scored on an error give the Express an early 2-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the first, Thomas Nelson answered back with an RBI single from Zachary Wojnarows, scoring Bryan Rodriquez for their first run of the game.
The Gators took the lead in the second inning, scoring four runs on two hits and two errors. Chase Mandic evened the game on an RBI base hit to right field. One at-bat later, Rodriquez drove in two runs on a two-RBI single to right field to put the Gators ahead by two scores, 4-2. Rodriquez scored the final run of the inning, reaching home on a wild pitch to extend their lead to 5-2.
The Express tallied a run in the third inning. Ranssel Pinedo led off the inning with a double to center field. He was driven in by Joseph Rosario's RBI double.
Thomas Nelson got the run back in the bottom of the third, pushing their lead back to three runs, 6-3.
Thomas Nelson held Monroe scoreless over the next four innings and scored one final run in the bottom of the fifth to take game one 7-3.
Game Two: Monroe Express 6, Thomas Nelson 3
Thomas Nelson struck first with two runs in the top of the first. With one out, an RBI double by Wojnarows made the score 1-0. The Gators doubled their lead later in as Wojnarows reached home on an error.
After two scoreless innings, the Express responded with a three-run fourth inning. Marcos Baez reached home on a passed ball to plate the first run for the Express. Ronald David Rodriguez followed with a two-run homer to hand the Express a 3-2 lead.
An RBI sacrifice fly ball from Mark Watt in the bottom of the fifth helped tie the game at three runs apiece through five innings of play.
The Express regained the lead in the sixth inning as Gerardo Molina batted in Holguin on a base hit to right field. The Express added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh frame. Jalfani Cruz scored Holguin and Rodriguez on a two-RBI single to right field to put the Express ahead 6-3.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Frank Ballar tossed the first 2.2 innings allowing four hits and two runs with four strikeouts. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jason Veras finished the final 4.2 innings allowing four hits and one run with three strikeouts to earn his first win of the season.
The Express return to action on Wednesday, Mar. 11 for a midweek non-conference tilt on the road against UConn Avery Point.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 30 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 11 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
