WYE MILLS, Md. – The Monroe College softball team opened the 2024 season with a pair of losses to NJCAA Division II Chesapeake College, at Mercedes M. Lesser Field, on Saturday afternoon. Game one's score was 20-3 and the final score of the second contest was 11-3.
 
In the top of the first inning of game one, Monroe (0-2) loaded the bases thanks to walk by freshman outfielder Brendalie Oliviery-Baker, rookie first-base player Angelica Uribe-Perez, and sophomore catcher Ciara Aviles. However, they could not push across a run.
 
Chesapeake (2-0) came out swinging in the bottom of the first as they scored 10 runs in the opening frame to take a commanding lead that lasted for the remainder of the game.
 
Monroe – Bronx got one run back in the top of the second thanks to a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman left fielder Ciara Harriott that scored first-year catcher Brianna Talley. 
 
After the Skipjacks added four more runs in the bottom of the second, the Express struck in the third as rookie infielder Lauren Vuorinen scored from third on a fielding error at second base. 
 
In the top of the fourth, Talley crossed home plate thanks to a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Oliviery-Baker for Monroe's third run of the afternoon. It was not enough for Monroe as Chesapeake earned the victory in game one. 
 
For the Express, Vuorinen and Talley each reached base with a single, with the latter stealing three bases, scoring two runs, and drawing a walk. Uribe-Perez and Aviles each drew two walks. Oliviery-Baker stole a pair of bases.
 
In the circle, sophomore pitcher Hannah Schmitz got the win for the home team by striking out seven batters, giving up just two hits, and surrendering only one earned run.
 
In game two, the Express loaded the bases in the top of the second in a scoreless game. However, the Skipjacks escaped the jam without surrendering a run. In the bottom frame, the home team scored three runs to take the advantage. In the top of the third, Oliviery-Baker drilled a double for the Express and then ended up scoring on a wild pitch to pull her team to within two. Chesapeake countered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to inflate ist cushion to four.
 
Monroe – Bronx tacked on two runs in the fourth, highlighted by a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman left fielder Herleen Castillo that scored Aviles, to slice its deficit in half at 5-3. However, the Skipjacks scored six runs in the fourth and then added two more in the fifth to secure the victory.
 
For Monroe – Bronx, Uribe-Perez produced a single and a walk. Vuorinen scored a run and worked a walk. Freshman second-base player Sonia Rosa earned a base on balls and stole a base. Aviles and freshman first-base student-athlete Genesis Matias each executed a free pass. 
 
Second-year pitcher Brooklyn Stulir pitched a complete game for Chesapeake by striking out seven batters in five innings pitched to pick up the win.
 
Monroe – Bronx will conclude its Maryland trip on Sunday, with a doubleheader at Anne Arundel Community College. First pitch in Arnold, Md. Is set for 12:00 p.m. 

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 31 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 seven 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/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).