BROOKLYN – The Monroe College – Bronx baseball team earned a hard-fought Region 15 victory on the road over the defending Region 15 Champion Kingsborough Community College Wave, 11-7, at Kingsborough Field on Tuesday afternoon. The Express bump their regional record to 9-4 (11-17 overall), while the Wave fall to 13-4 in the region (14-13 overall).
 
The Express trailed 6-4 after four innings but then scored three runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth to jump out in front, 10-6, on their way to the come-from-behind regional victory. 
 
The bullpen had a strong game for Monroe – Bronx, giving up just one earned run in 5.2 innings. Freshman pitcher Luis Roman earned the victory out of the bullpen for the Express, as he gave up just one hit and struck out a batter in 1.2 shutout innings pitched. Sophomore pitcher Didier Hernandez earned his first career save, as he gave up just one earned run and struck out five batters in four innings pitched.
 
"Tremendous job by the bullpen," Express Head Baseball Coach Bryan Diaz said. "Great team win."
 
The Express scored three runs in the opening inning, highlighted by an RBI single off the bat of sophomore catcher Hecxiel Perez and a sacrifice fly courtesy of freshman third baseman Giovanny Flores to jump out to a 3-0 advantage.
 
The Wave countered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first to tie the game. 
 
In the top of the second, freshman second baseman Joeliel Cruz drilled a single to right that scored rookie left fielder Jeanpaul Alicea Albertorio all the way from first to help Monroe – Bronx regain the lead at 4-3. 
 
Kingsborough's lineup was held in check in the second and third frames. The bottom of the fourth was a different story as the Wave scored three times in the stanza to take a 6-4 advantage. 
 
Perez got the Express back on track in the fifth as he led off the inning with a double to right. He eventually came around to score thanks to an RBI single courtesy of Flores to pull the Blue and Gold to within one. Later in the inning, the Express loaded the bases with two outs. Alicea Albertorio stepped up to the plate and lined a single to center, scoring both Flores and sophomore first baseman Camilo Rodriguez to propel Monroe to a 7-6 lead. Kingsborough was able to escape the inning to avoid further damage.
 
In the top of the sixth, Monroe had a runner on second and one out. Perez and Flores combined for back-to-back RBI doubles to inflate the Express' benefit to 9-6. Flores ended up scoring on a throwing error to pad the Blue and Gold's lead to 10-6. 
 
Fast forward to the top of the ninth. Alicea Albertorio led off the frame with a walk. He stole second and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Cruz stepped up to the plate and slapped an infield single to score Alicea Albertorio from third, padding Monroe's advantage to 11-6.
 
Kingsborough added a run in the bottom of the ninth, but it was not enough as Monroe – Bronx secured the key Region 15 victory by a score of 11-7. 
 
At the plate for the Express, sophomore center fielder Bryant Quezada went 2-for-5 with two stolen bases, two runs scored, and a walk. Perez went 3-for-5, including two doubles, while scoring twice and stealing a base. Rodriguez hit a single and earned a base on balls, while Flores worked a walk of his own. Freshman shortstop Yan Ortiz Torres drilled a double, earned two walks, and picked up a stolen base. Alicea Albertorio drew two walks. Sophomore right fielder Gregory Espinal worked a walk, stole a base, and crossed home plate.
 
Monroe – Bronx and Kingsborough will meet again at Kingsborough Field on Friday afternoon. The single game will begin at 4:00 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).