BRENTWOOD, N.Y., May 9, 2022 – The Monroe College Express softball team won a thrilling 10-inning Game 1 over No. 5 Suffolk County Community College on Monday, but could not secure the 2022 NJCAA Region 15 Division III Softball Championship in Game 2. Monroe picked up a 6-4 victory after a well-played opening game, but the Sharks bounced back with a 9-2 win in Game 2 to even the series and force a deciding Game 3, which will be played on Tuesday.
 
GAME 1: Monroe 6, No. 5 Suffolk 4 (10 INN)
The nailbiter that was Game 1 did not see a single base hit through the first three innings. The Express ended that run in the fourth, and took advantage of a break to take the lead. Juliana Vasquez hit a one-out double, and then Genesis Duarte-Suarez reached on an error by the first baseman that allowed Vasquez to come home, putting Monroe on top 1-0.
 
The Sharks also ended the no-hitter in the bottom of the fourth. Jaden Thompson led off with a single. After a pair of fielder's choices, Daja Farmer kept the inning going with a single into right to put runners on first and third. Farmer then stole second, and then Gianna Postiglione hit a two-RBI single to center, putting the Sharks on top, 2-1.
 
The Express did not stay down for long. With one out in the fifth, Ashley Ulmschneider reached on an error that moved her all the way to third. Ashleigh Stewart later brought her in on a sacrifice fly to center, tying the game at 2-2.
 
The Express were down to the final out of the sixth when Cinthia Ramirez ripped a triple to right. Zahra Medina then beat out a bunt single, scoring Ramirez to put the Express back in the lead, 3-2.
 
The lead unfortunately did not last for long. Kayleigh Olsen walked for Suffolk to lead off the sixth. She moved to second on a groundout, and then came home when Postiglione reached on an error, tying the game at 3-3.
 
Neither team was able to score in the seventh, sending the game to extra. The Express had two runners on in the eighth, but were unable to pick up a run. The Express shut the Sharks down in order in each of the eighth and ninth innings, sending the game to the 10th inning still knotted up at 3-3.
 
Nicole Peralta was the ghost runner placed on second for the Express in the top of the 10th. Vasquez beat out a single to second to put runners on the corners. Genesis Duarte-Suarez grounded out to third, forcing Peralta to hold, but moving Vasquez to second. Ramirez then reached on an error by the third baseman, bringing in both runners and putting Ramirez on second with the Express jumping back on top, 5-3. Medina beat out a bunt single, and then stole second to put both runners in scoring position. Paola Calderon drew a walk to load the bases, and then Ulmschneider beat out an infield single to knock in Ramirez and leave the Express in the lead, 6-3.
 
Alyssa Jones was the ghost runner for Suffolk in the 10th. She moved to third on a groundout by Thompson, and then came in on a single by Ashley Mathes to make it a two-run game with one out. Olsen lined out to center for the second out, and then Farmer grounded out to the pitcher, securing the Game 1 victory for the Express to give them a lead in the series.
 
Toni Shawnee was terrific in Game 1, allowing just three earned runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in 10 innings to improve to 11-5 on the season. Katie Buerkel took the loss for Suffolk after going all 10 innings as well, giving up three earned runs on 11 hits.
 
Ramirez finished Game 1 going 2-for-5 with a triple, a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Medina hit 2-for-5 with an RBI. Vasquez went 2-for-5 with two runs and a double. Peralta scored once in a 1-for-5 outing. Ulmschneider knocked in a run and scored one herself after hitting 1-for-5. Raileni Amarante batted 2-for-4 in the game, while Duarte-Suarez went 1-for-5.
 
GAME 2: No. 5 Suffolk 9, Monroe 2
The momentum shifted quickly in Game 2, as the Sharks got off to a big start. After putting the Express down in order in the first, Suffolk tallied five runs in the home half of the inning for a big early advantage. The home team followed that up with another two runs in the second for a 7-0 edge.
 
That lead held until the top of the fourth. With two outs, Ramirez kept the inning going with a double to center. Medina then singled the next pitch into left, bringing in Ramirez for Monroe's first run of the game. Calderon then doubled to left, bringing in Medina to leave the Express down, 7-2.
 
Suffolk expanded its lead in the bottom of the fifth when a walk and three singles led to two more runs coming home, putting the Express in a 9-2 hole that they could not climb out of.
 
Postligione picked up her 13th win of the season for the Sharks after a complete-game victory. Layla Ramos shouldered the loss despite allowing just three earned runs across six frames, falling to 8-6.
 
Medina hit 2-for-3 in Game 2 with an RBI and a run scored. Ramirez went 1-for-3 with a run and a double. Calderon doubled and knocked in a run in a 1-for-3 effort. Arlenny Diaz batted 1-for-3 in the game.
 
The Express and Sharks will go head-to-head once more on Tuesday, May 10, to determine the 2022 Region 15 Champion. The final game of the Championship Series 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).