JOHNSTON, R.I. – The Monroe College – Bronx softball team suffered a pair of losses to nationally ranked No. 9 Community College of Rhode Island, by scores of 13-4 and 17-1, at Woodlake Park on Tuesday afternoon.
 
In the opening game, Rhode Island (17-0) scored twice in each of the first two innings to take a 4-0 lead. 
 
The Express (7-20) got two of those runs back in the top of the third thanks to a two-run double off the bat of freshman catcher Brianna Talley to narrow CCRI's lead to 4-2.
 
However, the Knights' bats exploded with seven runs in the bottom of the third to take a commanding 11-2 hold. 
 
Freshman right fielder Jaliyah Rosario continued her strong hitting for the Express in the top of the fourth as she slapped an infield single to score rookie third-base player Lauren Vuorinen from third, and then sophomore first-base student-athlete Hilda Sanchez scored from first thanks to a throwing error, to decrease Monroe's deficit to 11-4. Rosario was credited with one RBI on the play.
 
It was not enough for the Blue and Gold as CCRI scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth on its way to the victory in game one, 13-4.
 
At the plate for the Express, Talley went 2-for-3. Freshman center fielder Ciara Harriott also went 2-for-3 and scored a run. Sanchez, Vuorinen, and sophomore pitcher Angelica Uribe-Perez each reached base with a single. Second-year catcher Ciara Aviles scored a run.
 
For Rhode Island, rookie pitcher Sophia Chevian earned a complete-game victory by giving up just one earned run and striking out seven batters in five innings pitched.
 
The Express got off to a good start in the second game as freshman left fielder Brendalie Oliviery-Baker scored from third on a throwing error to give Monroe – Bronx a 1-0 lead. However, CCRI answered by producing five runs in the first to take the lead for good and the Knights went on to earn the sweep.
 
For Monroe in game two, Oliviery-Baker and Talley each hit a single and stole a base. In the circle, Uribe-Perez pitched one shutout inning in relief, striking out two batters and giving up no hits.
 
Freshman pitcher Janina Mazzulla earned the complete-game win for the Knights by fanning six hitters, giving up no earned runs, and surrendering just a pair of hits in five innings.
 
Monroe – Bronx will host Dutchess Community College in a Region 15 doubleheader on Thursday afternoon. First pitch at Flowers Park Softball Field 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).