BRONX, N.Y., April 1, 2021 – The final Monroe College team to play a game in 2020 was the Monroe Express baseball team, which played its final game of the year on March 11, before the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to athletic activity altogether. One year, three weeks and a day later, the baseball team is the first Express program to get back to work, opening the 2021 campaign Friday afternoon against the Monroe Mustangs JV team.
 
Due to Region 15, Monroe College and New York State COVID-19 restrictions, spectators will not be permitted to attend Monroe College home athletic events for the 2021 spring season. Despite staffing limitations, the Monroe College Department of Athletics hopes to provide live stats and video for as many home contests as possible in 2021. Each of those can be found at the following links:
Live Stats: MonroeExpress.com/BASELiveStats
Live Video: YouTube.com/MonroeMustangs (subject to change)
 
The Express only got through seven games a year ago, finishing 2-5 overall and having played just a single home game over the first few weeks of the season. Though many of their home games will be played at an alternate home site (New Rochelle), and it will be without fans, the Express are ready to get back in the action with 27 contests scheduled over the next six weeks.
 
The Express will take on the Monroe Mustangs JV squad three times over the next four days, starting with a season-opening contest on April 2 at 2:30 p.m. at Dick Caswell Field in New Rochelle. They will meet again on Monday, April 5, in New Rochelle for a 3 p.m. doubleheader. In between those dates, the Express will visit Orange County Community College on Saturday, April 3, for a 12 p.m. twinbill.
 
The Express are home in New Rochelle once again on Wednesday, April 7, hosting ASA Brooklyn at Dick Caswell Field at 3 p.m. Monroe then takes to the road for the weekend, playing on game at Suffolk County Community College on Friday, April 9, followed by a pair of contests against the Sharks on Saturday, April 10. Another trip to Orange takes place on Sunday, April 11, for another doubleheader.
 
The Express stay on the road the following weekend with a doubleheader at SUNY Ulster on Saturday, April 17. They will then take on Dominican College JV in Orangeburg, N.Y. on Monday, April 19. Monroe visits Sussex County Community College on Tuesday, April 20, followed by another matchup at Suffolk County Community College on Friday, April 23. A third doubleheader at Orange will take place on Sunday, April 25. The Express play on the road one more time during this extended run on Tuesday, April 27, at Union County College.
 
Monroe is finally back home on Friday, April 30, against ASA Brooklyn. The Express follow this up with two more against the Avengers on Saturday, May 1. They go back to Sussex County on May 3, before hosting the Skylanders on Tuesday, May 4. The final home game of the regular season is set for Friday, May 7, against Nassau Community College. The Express and Lions then play two in Garden City, N.Y., on Saturday, May 8, to conclude the regular season.
 
The Express will feature nine returning student-athletes this season to provide leadership to a young team. 20 more newcomers join the squad for this season as well. Head coach John Torres is now in this third seasons with the team, joined by associate head coach Marcelo Perez and assistant coaches Joe Morris, Jordan Torres and Bryan Diaz.
 
The Express take on the Mustangs JV on Friday in the 2021 season opener for both squads. Once again, fans will not be permitted at Dick Caswell Field, but live stats and live video will be available at the links found earlier in this post. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 36 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports program, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 17 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).