BRONX, N.Y., April 22, 2022 – The Monroe College Express baseball team did their best to nearly erase a 12-run deficit against ASA College (NYC) on Friday, but ultimately lost a 19-14 final to the Avengers at Roberto Clemente State Park. The Express fall to 13-17 overall with the loss, while the Avengers improve to 10-9-1.
 
After two quiet frames, ASA broke the game open with seven runs in the top of the third. The Express chipped away with three runs in the bottom of the fourth on a bases-loaded walk by Malvin Gutierrez and a fielder's choice by Ruben Ogando that was aided by an error and allowed two runs to score. ASA then had another seven-run frame in the fifth to take a 14-3 advantage.
 
Joseph Rosario hit an RBI single in the fifth to make it a 14-4 game, and then Salomon Lluveres brought him in with a groundout to leave the Express down, 14-5. ASA then brought three more runs across in the top of the sixth to go up, 17-5.
 
The Express made their big run in the bottom of the sixth. With Jose Arrieta on third, Jose Ramirez reached on an error by the pitcher, bringing in Arrieta for the first run of the inning. Alex Rodriguez then brought in Ramirez with a double. The bases were loaded when Rosario, Lluveres and Ernie Farrell walked in three consecutive plate appearances to bring in three more Express runs. Arrieta plated another on a groundout to short for the second out of the inning. Ramirez delivered one more big blow, an absolute bomb of a three-run homer to right to cap off a nine-run inning and leave the Express down, 17-14.
 
Unfortunately, Monroe's scoring ended after its huge sixth inning. ASA knocked in two more runs in the top of the eighth, hitting the eventual final score of 19-14.
 
Ramirez entered the game late, but made the most of his opportunities by going 1-for-3 with a three-run homer and a pair of runs scored. Rosario finished 2-for-4 with a double, three runs and a pair of RBIs. Rodriguez also doubled in a 1-for-5 effort, scoring a run as well. Ogando knocked in a run in a 1-for-5 outing. Arrieta scored once and plated another run after going 1-for-4. Juan Jorge went 1-for-5 with a run scored. Quinn Kilroy did not register a hit, but contributed with three walks and two runs scored. Lluveres and Farrell had similar days, scoring twice each and knocking in a run apiece as well despite not picking up a hit.
 
The Express will look to get back on track on Sunday, April 24, when they host UConn Avery Point at Roberto Clemente State Park. Game 1 is set for a 12 p.m. first pitch.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 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 and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 14 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).