POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Monroe Express baseball found themselves back in the win column Friday afternoon, after downing Region 15 opponent, the Dutchess Community College Falcons, in nine innings with a final of 4-2 inside McCann Baseball Field. The Express' record improves to an even 11-11, and they are now 2-1 in conference play.

In what was a slow and gritty affair for most of this game, the Express struck first in the third inning after Randy Diaz scored on a sacrifice fly to left field hit by Ernie Farrell. In the bottom of the third inning, Dutchess tied things up at one, after Paul Andrews drove in Shane Heinemann on a single. In the fourth, Ramsel Jerez slapped a line drive to left field, pushing Ian Faulkner across home plate for their second run of the contest.

Some time later, after Monroe scored one run in the top of the sixth, the Falcons answered with one of their own after a Faulkner error. The aforementioned Express run was scored by Nasir Useini after Billy Beltre doubled on a 0-1 count. The game was put away in the seventh, after Ernie Farrell collected another run for the Express on a sacrifice fly by Hecxiel Perez.

Samuel Tejada was credited with the victory for the Express, as the reliever allowed seven hits and two runs over six innings, striking out six. Tyler Cadena and Luis Lopez entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.  Lopez recorded the last three outs to earn the save for Monroe.

Thomas Roselli took the loss for the Falcons. The pitcher lasted one inning, allowing one hit and zero runs while walking zero. Cole Broughton started the game for Dutchess, lasting three innings, allowing two hits and one run while striking out two.

Faulkner led the Express with three hits in five at bats, while Bryant Quezada led Monroe with two stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with eight stolen bases.

Dutchess Community College racked up nine hits in the game. Dutchess Community College tore up the base paths, as Andrews and Wheeler stole two bases. Dutchess didn't commit a single error in the field, as Tyler Van De Bogart had the most chances in the field with eight.

The Express get back to work Monday (Apr. 3) for non-conference action against Orange County Community College. 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).