NEW ROCHELLE, NY – On a partly cloudy Saturday afternoon, Monroe Express softball welcomed the Orange County Community College Colts to Flowers Park for a doubleheader that saw both contests go to Orange. Game one ended with a 22-11 final after five innings, while game two ended with a score of 3-2, concluding after six due to inclement weather. Although Monroe came up short, they achieved a season-high in runs in the former effort of the day. The Express fall to 0-8 with the pair of losses.

Game 1: Orange Colts 22, Monroe Express 11

In a game where Monroe reached their season-high in runs, the Express fell behind early and couldn't come back in a 22-11 loss to the Colts in game one of the day's doubleheader. 

In the first inning, Orange got their offense started when Erin Warner drove in one on a double to center field. In the same period, the Colts added to the runs column on a single by Aryssia Clune, a single by Brennan, and a single by Amanda Miller. Orange scored eight runs in the second inning, as multiple Colts players registered RBIs. 

The Express would not be denied and notched four runs in the third inning. Monroe's big inning was driven by a huge home run by Dulce Duran, a single by Adalianys Guzman, and an error on a ball put in play by Angelica Uribe. In total, Duran drove in five runners, a season-high for the infielder. In the end, the Colts held the Express back in the scoring column after this momentum swing, running away with game one after five innings.

Feeney got the start for Orange, where she surrendered 11 runs on ten hits over four innings, striking out one and walking one.

Emily Velez was in the circle for the Express. The pitcher allowed 18 hits and 22 runs over five innings, striking out six and walking five. 

The Colts tallied 18 hits in the game, as Brennan, Clune and Miller all managed three hits for Orange.

The Express smacked one home run on the day when Duran went for the long ball in the third inning. In the end, Monroe tallied ten hits. Jahemy Roman and Velez each managed two hits to lead the blue and gold.

Game 2: Orange Colts 3, Monroe Express 2

Game two of Saturday's doubleheader against Orange was a heartbreaker for the Express, as they lost the lead late in the 3-2 defeat. The game was tied at two in the top of the fourth when Hilda Sanchez induced Jillian Noteboom to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run was scored.

The Express came to play in their latter meeting with the Colts on the day, tying up the close affair after Valez punched an inside the park home run to knot it up at one. With momentum on their side, an error by Stewart advanced Thiare Sanchez which drove in Uribe for the go-ahead run in the third. Unfortunately, Orange took the lead for good with two runs in the fourth inning. In the fourth, Molly Martin singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

The pitching was strong on both sides. Orange's pitchers struck out eight, while Monroe's sat down one.

Martin earned the win for the Colts. Martin lasted five innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out eight.

Hilda Sanchez took the loss for the Express, where she allowed four hits and three runs over five innings, striking out one.

Monroe socked one home run on the day, when Velez went deep in the third inning. Guzman led the Express with two hits as Duran, Uribe and Velez each collected one.

The Express look to capture their first victories of the season on Tuesday, April 4th with a visit to the Columbia-Greene Community College Twins for a non-conference doubleheader in Hudson, NY. Game one's first pitch is scheduled for 3 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).