SELDEN, NY – With a goal of avenging their two run loss to Suffolk on Tuesday, Monroe Express baseball returned to Selden, NY on Friday afternoon defeating the Sharks, 10-9, in nine innings inside in the Ammerman Campus Baseball Field. The Express' record increases to 13-12 with the victory, and are now 2-2 in Region 15 competition.

In a close contest down the stretch, the Express nabbed the lead late in the game in their 10-9 victory over the Sharks. The game was tied at five with Monroe batting in the top of the sixth when Tyler Lockwood induced Randy Diaz to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run was scored.

The Express broke the ice in the first inning, when Bryant Quezada scored on a triple to right field hit by Ernie Farrell. The Sharks went in front in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs. After Bryant Quezada reached first base on an error by Alex Knopf, Ramsel Jerez reached home plate to make it a 3-3 ball game.

Monroe took the lead for good with two runs in the sixth inning, when Bryant Quezada singled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run. After the Express scored four runs in the top of the ninth, Suffolk answered with four of their own. Monroe scored when Nasir Useini singled on a 1-1 count, scoring one run, Diaz singled on a 0-2 count, scoring two runs, and Farrell singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run. The Sharks responded when Joseph Streng drew a walk, scoring one run and AJ Walker singled on a 1-2 count, scoring two runs. Entering the game in relief, Kevin Montes claimed the last two outs, including the game-ending strikeout to cement the Express' narrow victory.

Tyler Cadena earned the win for Monroe, where the hurler allowed three hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out two and walking one. Luis Lopez and Montes entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Montes recorded the aforementioned last two outs to earn the save for the Express.

Luke Herron took the loss for Suffolk. The pitcher went five innings, allowing six runs on 11 hits, striking out three and walking one.

Samuel Tejada got the start for Monroe, allowing eight hits and five runs over four and a third innings, striking out seven.
Monroe saw the ball well today, racking up 19 hits. Farrell led the Express with four hits in six at bats, as well as two stolen bases. In total, the Express had seven stolen bases in the game. The Sharks had 14 hits in the game, with Streng, Walker and Alex Knopf totaling three hits for Suffolk.

The Express make their long-awaited 2023 home opener on Saturday, April 8th against the Suffolk County Community College Sharks for a Region 15 doubleheader inside Roberto Clemente State Park in Bronx, NY. First pitch is scheduled for 12 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).