NEWTON, NJ – After a series of rain delays, Monroe Express softball finally made their season debut Tuesday evening dropping their doubleheader to the Sussex Community College Skylanders, 17-1 in game one and 8-0 in game two. The Express drop to 0-2 with the pair of losses.

Sussex Skylanders 17, Monroe Express 1

Monroe Express softball fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 17-1 loss to the Sussex Skylanders in their first of two meetings Tuesday. The Skylanders scored on a double by Sydney Grifone, a walk by Emily Kinkead, an error, and a walk by Jessica Stevenson in the first inning. 

Grifone earned the win for Sussex County Community College Skylanders Varsity. The bulldog went five innings, allowing one run on one hit, striking out seven and walking one.

Emily Velez started the game for the Express, lasting two-thirds of an inning, allowing one hit and six runs while striking out one.  Angelica Uribe threw three and a third innings in relief out of the bullpen.

Uribe went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead Monroe in hits. Grifone led Sussex with three hits in four at bats. The Skylanders Varsity was sure-handed and didn't commit a single error in the field, with Natalie Armstrong making the most plays with nine.

Sussex Skylanders 8, Monroe Express 0

The Express were unable to keep up with Sussex and fell 8-0 in game two of their Tuesday doubleheader.

Grifone earned the win for the Skylanders, as the bulldog lasted five innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out three and walking one. Hilda Sanchez was in the circle for the Express, lasting four and two-thirds innings, allowing seven hits and eight runs while striking out four.

Armstrong led Sussex with three hits in three at bats. The Skylanders were sure-handed in the field and didn't commit a single error. Erykka Leeman had the most chances in the field with four.

The Express open at home Thursday (Mar. 23) in a doubleheader against the Orange County Community College Colts at Flowers Park in New Rochelle, NY. First pitch is slated for 3:30 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).