UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx baseball team split its Region 15 doubleheader against Nassau Community College on Saturday afternoon at Mitchel Athletic Complex. The Express won the first game, 11-0, then the Lions snatched the victory in the second game, 7-6.
 
In the first contest, freshman pitcher Jayden Moya pitched a no-hitter for the Express (6-12, 4-1 Region 15). He struck out 13 batters and gave up just two walks in seven innings pitched to earn the complete-game victory.
 
The Express scored three runs in the opening inning of game one. First-year right fielder Alfredo Jimenez Jr. drilled a single to right that scored sophomore center fielder Bryant Quezada for the first run. Later in the frame, with runners on the corners and two outs, second-year first baseman Camilo Rodriguez drilled a triple to center that scored Jimenez Jr. and freshman third baseman Giovanny Flores to extend the Blue and Gold's lead to 3-0. 
 
In the top of the third, Monroe had runners on second and third with one out. Flores grounded a hard single to left which scored Jimenez Jr. to put Monroe up 4-0. The next batter was Rodriguez who singled on a line drive to left which sent both sophomore center fielder Gregory Espinal and Flores home to pad Monroe's lead to 6-0. 
 
Monroe added three runs in the sixth, highlighted by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Espinal, to inflate the Express' cushion to 9-0. Thanks to an RBI double by Rodriguez and then a run-scoring single off the bat of Jimenez Jr. in the seventh inning, Monroe increased its benefit to 11-0.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Moya got the opposing hitter to ground out to third for the final out to clinch the no-hitter and the victory for his team.
 
At the plate for Monroe, Rodriguez went 3-for-3 with five runs batted in, a run scored, and a walk. Jimenez Jr. stole four bases, scored three runs, collected two hits, and drew a walk. Flores had two hits, including a triple, scored three times, earned a base on balls, and stole a base. Rookie shortstop Yan Ortiz Torres went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while stealing two bases and earning a walk. Freshman second baseman Jeanpaul Alicea Albertorio went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. Freshman designated hitter Edwin Minaya Jr. stole a base of his own. Quezada tripled and picked up a run batted in. Espinal earned a walk and stole a base.
 
In game two, Monroe struck first as Jimenez Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to score Quezada. In the bottom of the third, Nassau (3-4, 3-2 Region 15) countered with two runs to take the lead. 
 
Espinal lined a triple to center to lead things off for the Express in the top of the fourth. He eventually scored thanks to a double to right by sophomore designated hitter Hecxiel Perez to even the game up at two runs apiece. 
 
After the Lions regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth, the Express answered with three runs in the fifth, courtesy of a two run-double by Jimenez Jr. and then and RBI double off the bat of Espinal, to put Monroe ahead by a score of 5-3. Nassau plated a run in the bottom of the fifth to pull to within one.
 
In the home half of the sixth, the Lions had a big inning with three runs scored to jump ahead 7-5. The frame was highlighted by an RBI single off the bat of freshman first baseman Joseph Lynn that broke a 5-5 tie.
 
The Express pulled closer in the top of the seventh as Jimenez Jr. score on an error by the catcher to shrink Monroe's disadvantage to 7-6. The Express had runners on the corners and two outs but could not push across the game-tying run and Nassau went on to earn the thrilling come-from-behind Region 15 victory. 
 
For the Express, Espinal had a big game by going 3-for-3 and stole three bases. Jimenez Jr. scored a pair of runs and drew a walk. Quezada went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Flores earned two walks and a stolen base, while freshman catcher Yadiel Santana hit a single and scored a run. Alicea Albertorio reached base with a single.
 
On the mound for Nassau, Lynn got the win in relief as he gave up no earned runs in 1.2 innings pitched and racked up a strikeout. 
 
Monroe – Bronx will battle NJCAA Division II Rockland Community College in Suffern, N.Y. for the second time this season 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).