BELLEROSE, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx baseball team continued its momentum on Friday afternoon by defeating Borough of Manhattan Community College in Region 15 play, 19-2, at Padavan-Preller Field. The Express are now 2-0 in regional play (4-10 overall) and have won four straight games.
 
The big blow of the game came off the bat of sophomore left fielder Gregory Espinal who hit a grand slam during the Express' 11-run ninth inning that broke the game open. During the afternoon, Monroe stole 22 bases and worked 16 walks as a team.
 
Earlier in the day, the Express came storming out of the gate, scoring four runs in the top of the first, highlighted by a three-run triple to right off the bat of sophomore first baseman Camilo Rodriguez, to take a big lead early. In the top of the second, Monroe added to its lead thank to a bases-loaded walk by second-year catcher Hecxiel Perez which scored sophomore center fielder Bryant Quezada to pad the Blue and Gold's benefit to 5-0. 
 
Both teams went scoreless during the next three innings, but Monroe added two more runs in the six which included an RBI single off the bat of Bryant Quezada. The Express added another run in the eight.
 
The top of the ninth was a big one for Monroe as the Blue and Gold put up 11 runs during the frame. Espinal's grand slam was the catalyst for the productive inning. Also, during the stanza, Rodriguez drilled an RBI double, freshman third baseman Giovanny Flores drove in two runs on a single, and freshman outfielder Elio Sanchez drew a base-loaded walk. 
 
BMCC scored one run in both the bottom of the seventh and the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough as the Express went on to earn its second regional victory of the season.
 
Sophomore pitcher Orel Castellar earned the win for the Express on the mound by striking out six batters and giving up just a pair of hits in five shutout innings pitched. Classmates Kevin Montes and Luis Lopez each pitched two innings of relief, gave up no hits, and struck out three batters.
 
For the Express at the plate, Rodriguez went 3-for-5, stole three bases, drew a pair of walks, and crossed home plate once. Bryant Quezada stole seven bases, scored four runs, and drew three walks. Perez went 2-for-4 with a double, scored three runs, worked two walks, and picked up a stolen base. Freshman designated hitter Jayden Moya worked three walks, scored a run, and stole a base. Espinal scored three times, earned a pair of walks, and had just as many stolen bases.
 
Also helping the Express was Sanchez who hit a single, scored two runs, and stole two bases. Flores scored a run and stole a base. Freshman shortstop Yan Ortiz Torres reached base with a single, scored two runs, stole two bases, picked up an RBI, and earned a base on balls. Sophomore second baseman Adrian Quezada stole two bases, scored once, and worked two walks. Freshman right fielder Alfredo Jimenez Jr. tallied an RBI and a stolen base. 
 
Monroe will battle NJCAA Division II Orange County Community College, at Colt Baseball Field, on Monday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3:30 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).