CRANFORD, N.J., April 27, 2021 – The Monroe College Express got off to a great start on Tuesday, but ultimately split a doubleheader at Union County College. The Express won the opener by a score of 8-1, but dropped the final game of the day, 10-3. The Express move to 6-10 overall with the split, while Union goes to 6-18.
 
Game 1: Monroe 8, Union County 1
The Express got all they would eventually need in the top of the second. Three straight singles by Anthony Burgos, Andry Castro and Joseph Rosario produced the first run of the game. With the bases loaded, Jalfani Cruz singled to right to double the lead. A walk by Jose Arrieta brought in another run, and then two batters later, Jose Holguin hit a two-out RBI single to center, scoring Cruz to leave the Express ahead, 4-0.
 
The Express had runners on second and third for Jose Holguin in the top of the fourth. Holguin flied out to deep right field, far enough to bring in both Arrieta and Demetrio Rodriguez on a sacrifice fly to push the lead to six runs. The Owls then got their only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on an error.
 
With two on and two outs in the top of the seventh, the Express added some insurance runs on an Arrieta triple to center, scoring Kevin Castillo and Cruz to reach the eventual final score of 8-1.
 
Alex Aviles turned in a strong start for the Express in Game 1, tossing five innings without allowing an earned run to improve to 2-1 on the year. Alex Rodriguez Bello pitched the final two frames, allowing just two hits with no runs and two strikeouts. Jose Peralta took the loss for the Owls after giving up six runs in five frames.
 
Holguin knocked in three runs in a 3-for-3 effort that included a double in Game 1. Rosario also doubled in a 3-for-4 outing, knocking in a run and scoring another himself. Cruz went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Arrieta hit 1-for-3 with a triple, three RBIs and a run scored.
 
Game 2: Union County 10, Monroe 3
The Express were gifted their first run of the game in the top of the first. Demetrio Rodriguez was on third when a passed ball allowed him to score and give the Express an early 1-0 lead.
 
Much like the Express in Tuesday's opener, the Owls got all the runs they ended up needing in one frame in Game 2. In the bottom of the first, Axel Olvera hit a two-out, two RBI double to put the home team ahead, 2-1. Austin Urban, who started the game on the hill for the Owls, added what proved to be the game-winning hit, a two-run homer to left that made it a 4-1 game. Union County added another run on an error in the bottom of the second to go up, 5-1.
 
Rodriguez was responsible for another Express run in the top of the third. He hit an RBI single to plate Cruz from second to make it a 5-2 game. The Owls added another two runs in the home half of the third to push their lead back to five.
 
The Owls scored their final three runs of the day in the bottom of the fifth. Matthew Delgado hit an RBI double, and Cesar Morillo followed with another double, this time bringing in two runs to make it a 10-2 game.
 
With two outs in the top of the sixth, Cruz beat out an infield single that scored Rosario to bring the score to 10-3.
 
Yonelis Rodriguez got the start for the Express in Game 2, but was ultimately handed the loss to fall to 0-1. Urban got the win for Union to improve to 2-1.
 
Rodriguez hit 3-for-4 with an RBI, a run and a stolen base in Tuesday's closer. Rosario batted 2-for-4 with a run scored. Cruz closed out a strong day with a 1-for-2 effort, scoring a run, knocking in another and stealing a base.
 
The Express will look to get back in the win column on Friday, April 30, when they host ASA Brooklyn at Dick Caswell Field in New Rochelle at 2 p.m. They will then finally get their chance to play on their true home field at Roberto Clemente State Park on Saturday, May 1, when they host ASA in a doubleheader beginning at noon.

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).