SELDEN, N.Y., April 27, 2022 – With Region 15 postseason seeding still up in the air, the Monroe College Express baseball team picked up a huge victory on Wednesday, defeating top-seeded Suffolk County Community College by a score of 8-7. The Express improve to 16-18 overall and 9-8 in region with the win, while the Sharks drop to 16-14-1 and 16-3 in Region 15.
 
The Express batted as the home team in Wednesday's seven-inning affair, which was the makeup game after Game 2 of a doubleheader on March 26 was postponed. As the visitors in the matchup, the Sharks got a quick jump on the Express when Peter Montana hit an RBI single in the top of the first, putting Suffolk ahead, 1-0.
 
That changed in the bottom of the third with Monroe's first rally of the game. Jose Arrieta was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and then quickly stole second. Malvin Gutierrez took advance with an RBI single to right, tying the game at 1-1. Gutierrez moved to second on a wild pitch, and then Randy Diaz doubled to left to bring him in and put the Express ahead, 2-1. Ruben Ogando singled to put runners on the corners, and then a passed ball brought in Diaz to leave the Express on top, 3-1.
 
The game flipped once again in the top of the third, when Suffolk took advantage of some miscues by the Express to score three runs and take a 4-3 edge. However, the Express regained their composure in the home half of the inning. With Ernie Farrell on third, Gutierrez singled to right, scoring the runner to tie the game. Diaz followed with his second double of the day to bring in Gutierrez and give the Express a 5-4 lead. Ogando immediately knocked in Diaz, leaving Monroe back in the lead, 6-4.
 
The game officially became a back-and-forth contest in the top of the fourth. Suffolk loaded the bases for Anthony Amato, who walked to bring in a run and get the Sharks back within one. Montana then brought in two on a single to center, putting Suffolk back on top, 7-6.
 
Salomon Lluveres led off the bottom of the fourth with a single into left, and he then stole second base. Farrell flew out to left, but Lluveres was able to tag up and advance to third. With two outs, an error on a grounder by Gutierrez plated Lluveres, tying the game at 7-7.
 
Juan Jorge singled with one out in the bottom of the fifth, and then moved to second on a steal. He went to third on a groundout by Joseph Rosario, and then a wild pitch allowed him to score, giving the Express the 8-7 lead that they held onto the rest of the way. Alex Rodriguez Bello, who came on to pitch in the top of the fifth, struck out 4-of-6 batters in the final two frames and did not allow a baserunner the rest of the way to help the Express hang on for the big win.
 
Rodriguez Bello improved to 5-0 on the season after tossing the final three frames. He allowed just one hit while striking out four. Andrew Wilcenski took the loss for Suffolk to fall to 0-2.
 
Diaz doubled twice, knocked in two and scored two runs in a 2-for-3 effort in the win. Gutierrez finished 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs as well. Jorge batted 2-for-4 with a run scored. Farrell doubled and scored a run after going 1-for-4. Lluveres also hit 1-for-4 with a run. Ogando plated a run in a 2-for-3 outing.
 
The Express continue a jam-packed week tomorrow, April 28, when they visit Sussex County Community College in Augusta, N.J. The game is set to begin at 4 p.m.

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).