ARNOLD, Md. – The Monroe College – Bronx softball team dropped two hard-fought games against NJCAA Division II Anne Arundel Community College, 7-3 and 10-1, at the Anne Arundel Softball Complex on Sunday afternoon.
 
Sophomore pitcher Angelica Uribe-Perez had a big afternoon at the plate. She belted her first career home run in the top of the seventh inning in game one. She went a combined 3-for-4 during the doubleheader, including an RBI single, and drew a walk. In the circle, she pitched a complete game in the first end of the twin bill, striking out two batters in the process. In game two, she pitched a shutout inning in relief.
 
In the opening game, the Express got off to a good start as first-year shortstop Brianna Talley launched a triple to right that scored freshman right fielder Brendalie Oliviery-Baker from third to give the Express a 1-0 advantage. 
 
The Riverhawks (2-0) scored two runs in the bottom of the first to jump out in front. Then, the home team added two runs in the third and three in the sixth to take a commanding 7-1 benefit. 
 
In the top of the seventh, Monroe – Bronx inched closer as Uribe-Perez led off the frame with her home run. Two batters later, freshman outfielder Ciara Harriott drilled a double to left field and then advanced to third on a single off the bat of Oliviery-Baker to set up Monroe with runners at the corners. Freshman infielder Sonia Rosa drove in Harriott with a single to pull the Express to within four runs, at 7-3. However, Monroe could not push across another run and fell short in game one.
 
The Express outhit the Riverhawks, 8-5, during the first contest. Oliviery-Baker went 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Freshman outfielder Larris Gutierrez produced a single and Rosa earned a base on balls. 
 
Sophomore pitcher Kendall Thomas earned the complete-game victory for Anne Arundel by striking out six batters in seven innings pitched.
 
In game two, Uribe-Perez struck again as she produced an RBI single in the top of the first to score Talley and give Monroe a 1-0 advantage. Sophomore pitcher Hilda Sanchez retired the Riverhawks in the bottom of the first without giving up a run. However, Anne Arundel scored eight runs in the bottom of the second, thanks to three errors in the outfield by Monroe, to take a commanding 8-1 hold. It was too much of a hole for the Express to dig out of and Anne Arundel earned the sweep.
 
Sanchez gave up just one earned run and struck out a batter in three innings pitched for Monroe. For the Riverhawks, sophomore pitcher Makayla Blake gave up zero earned runs and fanned four Express batters to earn the complete-game victory.
 
For Monroe at the plate, Harriott went 2-for-3, while Talley, Rosa, and Sanchez each it a single. Talley also stole a base.
 
Monroe – Bronx will return to Maryland on Friday for a doubleheader against NJCAA Division II Frederick Community College. First pitch at Frederick Community College Softball Field is set for 1:30 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).