Cary, North Carolina, March 3, 2022 -  After getting off to a slow start trailing 9-1, the Express Baseball team's bats came to life, producing a ten-run eighth inning to cap a thrilling 14-13 opening day victory over William Peace University in USA National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. The Express have made it back-to-back opening day wins after knocking off the Monroe Mustangs JV team 9-2 last season.

The Express exploded for ten runs in the eighth inning. The big inning started with three steals, two from Juan Jorge (Bronx, N.Y.) and one from Anthony Gonzalez Jr. (Bronx, N.Y.). Ernie Farrell drilled a two-run single down the right-field line scoring Jorge and Gonzalez to cut the lead to 9-3. Monroe-Bronx would draw three straight walks, and Farell would be walked in to make it 9-4. 

Jose Arrieta (New Bedford, MA) drilled a two-run single past the shortstop, scoring Alex Rodriguez (North Syracuse, N.Y) and Quinn Kilroy (Arlington,MA) to cut the deficit in half 9-6. A catcher interference and a passed ball inched the Express closer to 9-8 when Malvin Gutierrez (New York, N.Y.) and Arrieta scored. Joseph Rosario reached base on an error allowing Jorge to tie it at nine and Jerez to score the go-ahead run to make it 10-9. Gonzalez helped add insurance to make it 11-9 going into the bottom of the eighth.

The Express added three more runs in the top of the ninth to stretch their lead to 14-9. William Peace University would fought back with four runs before Tyler McDaniel grounded out to Kilroy to ice the game for the Express 14-13.

Samuel Tejada picked up the victory for the Express as the fireballer went two innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out one, and walking zero. Andry Sanchez (Bronx, N.Y.) and Alex Rodriguez Bello (Bronx, N.Y.) were stalwarts allowing thee hits and one earned run over two innings. Arrieta recorded the last six outs to earn the save for the Express.

For William Peace University, three players had multiple-hit games and a total of ten hits on the day. Peyton Richards, Will Thistle, and Roldanny Alvarez all each had multiple hits for the Pacers as they recorded ten hits in the game. Richards also led the team with three steals.

The Express will look for two straight wins in a doubleheader tomorrow against Thomas Nelson College beginning at 11 a.m. For more information, please visit the Monroe Express Baseball Page.


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).