DEWITT, N.Y., May 26, 2022 – An improbable run all the way to the 2022 NJCAA Div. III Softball Championship for the Monroe College Express softball team came to an end on Thursday, as the No. 8-seeded Express dropped a 4-1 decision to No. 4 Herkimer College in the first elimination game of the tournament, taking the Express out of title contention. Herkimer advances through the loser's bracket, while the Express will now play in Friday's seventh-place game.
 
The Express nearly escaped trouble in the bottom of the first with the bases loaded and two outs, but Herkimer's Hailey Hunter dropped a bloop single down the line in right, followed up by an errant throw home, resulting in three runs coming home to give the home team a 3-0 edge after one.
 
After a one-out triple by Herkimer's Madison Puppolo in the second, Kassandra Granobles dropped down a squeeze bunt to bring her home and make it a 4-0 game.
 
The Express chipped away at the deficit in the top of the fourth. Zahra Medina beat out a single to short and then stole second base. A groundout by Paola Calderon moved her to third, and then a pinch-hit single up the middle by Arlenny Diaz plated Medina to bring the score to 4-1.
 
The Express put runners on base in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, but unfortunately were not able to bring them home, falling by the same score of 4-1.
 
Toni Shawnee had a strong day in the circle for the Express, allowing just three earned runs with eight strikeouts across six frames, but it was unfortunately not enough to earn the win. She did not allow a single hit after the second inning in the game. Madison Prior tossed five innings of one-run ball to earn her sixth win of the year for Herkimer. Hannah DeRock kept Monroe off the board in the final two frames to pick up a save.
 
Nicole Peralta batted 2-for-3 with a stolen base out of the leadoff spot for the Express in Thursday's contest. Medina hit 1-for-3 with a run and a stolen base of her own. Genesis Duarte-Suarez also went 1-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch in the game. Diaz went 1-for-1 with an RBI after subbing in, also getting hit by a pitch.
 
The Express are now scheduled to compete in Friday's seventh place game at Carrier Park. They will take on the loser of No. 6 Middlesex College vs. No. 7 St. Cloud Technical & Community College, which began shortly after Monroe and Herkimer wrapped up. The game will begin at 12 p.m., weather pending.

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).