POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx softball team opened Region 15 play with two big victories on the road over Dutchess Community College, 19-3 and 12-1, at Dutchess Softball Field on Saturday afternoon. The Express are now 2-0 in regional play (4-13 overall) and have won four of their last six games.
 
"The team really made every piece of the game work today," Express Head Softball Coach Lauren Farina said. "Our pitchers were working the zone, our defense made excellent plays, and offensively we were seeing the ball extremely well at the plate. Combined with high energy and intensity, it was a great day, and I can't wait to roll our momentum into the next game."
 
The Express came firing out of the gate in the top of the first inning in game one, scoring 11 runs to take a commanding lead for good. Sophomore first-base student-athlete Angelica Uribe-Perez drove in a run with a single and then later in the frame, produced a two-run single to highlight the big inning. During Monroe's productive opening inning, first-year right fielder Amandy Rodriguez drove in two runs on an infield single. Second-year pitcher Hilda Sanchez, freshman center fielder Ciara Harriott, and first-year left fielder Brendalie Oliviery-Baker each produced an RBI single of their own in the first inning. 
 
After Dutchess (0-4, 0-2 Region 15) got one run back in the bottom frame, Monroe tacked on four runs in the top of the second. Freshman catcher Brianna Talley kicked off the scoring with an RBI single. The next batter was Uribe-Perez who came up with the bases loaded and two outs. She drilled a double to clear the bases and pad the Express' cushion to 15-1.
 
In the top of the third, an RBI single by Rodriguez and then a two-run triple courtesy of Oliviery-Baker extended Monroe's advantage to 18-1. The Blue and Gold added one more run in the top of the fourth, thanks to an RBI single by freshman third-base player Lauren Vuorinen.
 
The Falcons scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, but it was not enough as Monroe pulled off the region-opening victory.
 
Sanchez earned the complete-game victory in the circle for the Express, as she struck out a pair of batters.
 
At the plate for Monroe, Harriott went a perfect 5-for-5, including a double, scored four runs, and stole a base. Uribe-Perez went 4-for-5, drove in six runs, and crossed home plate once. Oliviery-Baker scored three times, drew two walks, and stole just as many bases. Talley walked twice, stole a base, and came around to score three times. Sanchez provided two hits and scored a run. First-year shortstop Sonia Rosa produced two hits, scored twice, picked up an RBI, and stole a pair of bases. Vuorinen collected two hits, added two RBIs, and scored a run. Sophomore second-base student-athlete Ciara Aviles scored two runs, produced a single, drew a walk, and stole a base. First-year outfielder Brianna Castellanos earned a base on balls. 
 
In game two, Monroe got on the board in the top of the first thanks to an RBI groundout by Oliviery-Baker that scored Harriott. In the top of the second, the Express added four runs, highlighted by an RBI double each from Harriot and Uribe-Perez, to take a 5-0 benefit. Freshman first-base player Genesis Matias and Talley each produced an RBI single during the frame.
 
After adding a run in the third, Monroe scored three runs each in the fourth and fifth innings. Uribe-Perez and Rosa each had an RBI single in the fourth. Uribe-Perez once again produced an RBI single in the fifth which took place right after an RBI double by Talley. 
 
Dutchess scored its lone run in the bottom of the third but to no avail as Monroe earned the sweep of the Region 15-opening doubleheader.
 
Uribe-Perez earned a complete-game victory for the Express in the circle, striking out six batters and giving up just one earned run in five innings pitched. 
 
At the plate for Monroe, Harriott drilled three doubles, scored three times, and stole just as many bases. Talley went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored, and stole a base. Uribe-Perez went a perfect 4-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. Vuorinen provided a pair of hits, a run scored, a base on balls, and a stolen base. Rosa stole three bases and scored a run. Sanchez crossed home plate once, drew a walk, and earned a stolen base. Aviles tacked on an RBI, while Matias had two hits and a run scored. Oliviery-Baker hit a single and scored a run.
 
Monroe – Bronx will host NJCAA Division II Sussex County Community College in a doubleheader at Flowers Park on Thursday. First pitch is set for 3:00 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).