EDISON, NJ – After a week off, Monroe Express baseball returned to the field for a road doubleheader against the Middlesex College Colts in Edison, NJ, resulting in a 12-4 loss in game one and a 17-4 defeat in game two. The Express fall to 6-8 after the day's sweep.

Middlesex Colts 12, Monroe Express 4

The Express fell behind early and couldn't recover in a 12-4 loss to Middlesex College in game one of their Sunday matinee doubleheader. Middlesex College scored on a walk by Natanael Friedman, a sacrifice fly by Thomas O'Halloran, a single by Giovanni Aresta, a walk by Nicholas Loniewski, a walk by Roberto Gonzalez, a double by Colby Chippendale, and an error in the second inning.

Monroe lost despite out-hitting the Colts ten to six. Middlesex College got on the board in the second inning when Jack Barry was hit by a pitch, driving in a run.

Ryan Poulson led Middlesex to victory on the mound, where the ace allowed nine hits and four runs over six innings, striking out eight and walking one. Aaron Neder threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen. For the Express, Victor Vilomar took the loss as the starting pitcher. Vilomar surrendered eight runs on two hits over one and two-thirds innings, striking out one.

Monroe saw the ball well today, racking up ten hits in the game. Ernie Farrell and Ruben Ogando each racked up multiple hits for the Express. Farrell went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead his team in hits. Chippendale led Middlesex College with two hits in three at bats in the ball game.

Middlesex Colts 17, Monroe Express 4

Similar to game one of today's doubleheader, the Express watched the game slip away early and didn't come back in a 17-4 loss to Middlesex in game two. The Colts scored on a double by Connor Luckie in the first inning, an error in the second inning, a fielder's choice by Friedman in the second inning, another error in the second inning, and a double by the aforementioned Luckie in the second inning.

The Express struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing Middlesex, giving up 17 runs. The Colts got things moving in the first inning, when Luckie doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs. Monroe notched three runs in the sixth inning and scored its runs on a single by Gregory Espinal. Middlesex College scored eight runs in the second inning as Jordan Brown, Friedman, O'Halloran, and Luckie all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.

Figueroa led Middlesex to victory on the hill. The fireballer allowed two hits and one run over five innings, striking out ten and walking one. Louie Folgore and Brown entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.

Frank Ballar took the loss for the Express, as the pitcher surrendered ten runs on five hits over one and one-third innings. Billy Beltre, Ramsel Jerez, Espinal, and Farrell each collected one hit to lead Monroe College Bronx Express Varsity.

Middlesex College tallied 12 hits on the day. Luckie, Gonzalez, Loniewski, and O'Halloran each managed multiple hits for the Colts. Luckie led Middlesex College with three hits in three at bats. Middlesex College didn't commit a single error in the field as Luckie had the most chances in the field with eight.

The Express continue on the road Tuesday (Mar. 21) in Region 15 action against the Nassau Community College Lions in Garden City, NY at NCC Baseball Field. First pitch is slated for 4 PM.

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).