CHESTER, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx softball team earned a pair of victories over Word of Life Bible Institute, by scores of 14-1 and 9-1, at the Rock on Monday afternoon. 
 
In the opening game, the Express (4-11) struck first as freshman left fielder Brendalie Oliviery-Baker scored from third on a wild pitch to put Monroe on the board. The Express' lineup had a big second inning, scoring 10 runs to break the game open. The highlights of the Blue and Gold's productive frame were an RBI single by freshman catcher Brianna Talley, a two-run single off the bat of rookie third-base student-athlete Lauren Vuorinen, and an RBI single by freshman center fielder Ciara Harriott.
 
Word of Life (0-4) got one run back in the third but then the Express countered with two runs in the bottom frame, and one more run in the bottom of the fourth, on their way to the win.
 
Leading the way for the Express was sophomore pitcher Hilda Sanchez who struck out 11 batters, gave up no earned runs and just four hits, in five innings pitched to earn the complete-game victory.
 
At the plate for Monroe, Talley went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, three stolen bases, and a walk. Oliviery-Baker scored three runs, reached base with a single, and stole a pair of bases. Sophomore second-base player Ciara Aviles scored twice, worked two walks, and stole a base. Second-year first-base player Angelica Uribe-Perez scored twice, earned two walks, and stole a base. Harriott earned a base on balls and produced a stolen base. Vuorinen scored a run and worked a walk. Sanchez drove in a run, crossed home plate once, stole a pair of bases, and reached base via a walk. Freshman right fielder Jaliyah Rosario reached base via a walk and came around to score. Rookie shortstop Sonia Rosa drew two walks, stole a pair of bases, scored a run, and picked up an RBI.
 
In game two, Monroe came storming out of the gate with four runs in the first to grab a 4-0 lead. The scoring started when Oliviery-Baker hit a sacrifice fly to score Harriott from third. Vuorinen then singled up the middle to score Talley from second to extend the Express' lead to 2-0. Sanchez and Rosa each drew a walk to load the bases. Freshman designated player Amandy Rodriguez stepped up to the plate and worked a walk to score Vuorinen to extend Monroe's benefit to 3-0. Up next was rookie first-base player Genesis Matias who earned an RBI walk of her own which scored Sanchez and padded the Blue and Gold's lead to 4-0.
 
Monroe – Bronx added two runs in the bottom of the second to increase its advantage to 6-0. In the bottom of the fourth, an RBI single by Rosa highlighted a two-run frame to make it 8-0 in favor of the home team. 
 
The Huskies were able to stay alive by scoring a run in the top of the fifth to pull to within seven. In the bottom, frame, Oliviery-Baker reached base by getting hit by a pitch and then stole second. Talley then sealed the game by drilling a double to center to score Oliviery-Baker to give Monroe the mercy-rule victory by a score of 9-1.
 
In the circle for Monroe, Uribe-Perez earned the complete-game victory by striking out eight batters, giving up no earned runs with just one hit, in five innings pitched.
 
On the offensive side for the Express, Talley went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk, and a stolen base. Oliviery-Baker went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, and just as many stolen bases. Uribe-Perez drew two walks, scored a run, and earned a stolen base. Vuorinen stole a base, while Sanchez picked up an RBI. Rosa earned a base on balls, produced a stolen base, and then scored a run. Matias earned a pair of walks.
 
Monroe – Bronx will battle Rowan College of Gloucester County in a doubleheader on Friday. First pitch in Sewell, N.J. is set for 1:00 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).