BRONX, N.Y., May 4, 2021 – Jose Holguin's go-ahead grand slam capped off a seven-run eighth inning that fueled the Monroe College Express baseball team to a 10-8 comeback victory over Sussex County Community College Tuesday evening at Roberto Clemente State Park. The Express improve to 7-14 overall with the win, while the Skylanders drop to 11-17.
 
The Express trailed by three heading into the bottom of the eighth, but managed to swing the momentum back in their favor with an Alexander Aponte solo homer. Monroe took advantage of their newfound energy and had some smart at-bats to load the bases and tie the game with some walks. Holguin's grand slam started an uproar on the Express bench, as it gave the home team the lead for good.
 
The Skylanders got on the board first in Tuesday's contest with a rally in the top of the third. With runners on second and third and one away, Bryce Katstra singled into left field, plating both runners to make it a 2-0 game.
 
In the top of the fourth, the Skylanders had runners on first and second for Bradyn Shaffer, who came through with a single up the middle to score Jimmy Finnerty and make it a 3-0 lead for the visitors.
 
Sussex County once again added to its lead in the top of the fifth. Hunter Rossi reached on an error at second, and then moved to second when a pickoff attempt got away. Rossi got to third on a ground out by Noah Murciano, and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Finnerty to push the lead to 4-0.
 
The Express stormed back into the game in the bottom of the sixth. Jose Holguin drew a one-out walk, and then Anthony Burgos singled down the right-field line to leave runners on the corners. Aponte then singled into left, scoring Holguin to make it a 4-1 game. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position, and then Malvin Gutierrez singled up the middle to score Burgos and cut the deficit in half. Joseph Rosario reached on an error by the first baseman, scoring Aponte from third to bring the Express within a run.
 
The Skylanders loaded the bases in the top of the eighth with one away. Katstra then hit a single up the middle to bring it a run and make it a 5-3 score in favor of the visitors. Rossi then walked to plate another run and make it a 6-3 game.
 
The Express came rolling back in the bottom of the 8th when Aponte blasted a solo homer over the left-field fence to bring the score to 6-4. Malvin Gutierrez was then hit by a pitch, Rosario singled to left, and Jalfani Cruz walked with two outs to load the bases. Jose Arrieta then walked to bring in Monroe's fifth run and make it a one-run game. Demetrio Rodriguez then drew another walk to tie the game at 6-6. Holguin then broke the game open for the Express with a grand slam over the left-field fence, putting the Express on top, 10-6.
 
The Skylanders threatened in the top of the ninth. A couple of errors allowed a run to score, and then a single plated one more to make it a 10-8 game. A couple walks after that loaded the bases with two down. Arrieta then came on to pitch for the first time this season, and he managed to strike out the final batter to close out the win for the Express.
 
Andry Castro got the win in relief for the Express to improve to 1-0 on the season. He tossed 1.1 innings, allowing two unearned runs on one hit. Arrieta earned his first save by striking out the final batter of the game. Justin Rivera took the loss for the Skylanders in relief to fall to 0-2.
 
Holguin finished 1-for-3 with his grand slam and a couple runs scored to help lift the Express to their first victory at Roberto Clemente State Park this season. Aponte went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, two runs and his solo homer. Gutierrez batted 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Burgos hit 2-for-5 with a run. Rodriguez went 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Allyn Ramsay batted 1-for-4 with a double off the left-field wall. Arrieta and Cruz did not pick up hits in the game, but each contributed with a run scored.
 
The Express wrap up the regular season this weekend with a three-game series against Nassau Community College. The first game will take place on Friday, May 7, at Roberto Clemente State Park at 4:30 p.m. The series finishes up out in Garden City, N.Y., with a doubleheader on Saturday, May 8, at 12 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).