BROOKLYN – The Monroe College – Bronx baseball team dropped the second game of its Region 15 series to the defending regional champion Kingsborough Community College by a score of 11-4, at Kingsborough Field, on Friday afternoon. The Express (11-18, 9-5 Region 15 ) and Wave (15-13, 14-4 Region 15) have split the first two games of their four-game set.
 
The Express got off to a good start in Friday's contest as sophomore right fielder Gregory Espinal launched a double to right-center field in the top of the first. He stole third and then scored on an RBI groundout by second-year catcher Hecxiel Perez to give the Express a 1-0 advantage. 
 
The Wave countered with two runs in the bottom of the first, courtesy of a two-run homer to right by sophomore third baseman Thomas Laino with two outs, to take the lead. Kingsborough continued its momentum by adding three runs in the third, and then an insurance run in the fifth, to take a commanding 6-1 hold.
 
Monroe – Bronx got one run back in the top of the sixth, thanks to a sacrifice fly off the bat of sophomore first baseman Camilo Rodriguez which scored Perez from third.
 
The Wave pulled away with a pair of runs in the seventh, and three more in the eighth, to pad their cushion to 11-2.
 
Monroe – Bronx did not go down quietly in the top of the ninth, as a two-run single courtesy of freshman second baseman Joeliel Cruz with two outs scored both rookie left fielder Jeanpaul Alicea Albertorio and first-year shortstop Yan Ortiz Torres to pull Monroe to within seven. However, Kingsborough was able to get the final out to clinch the regional victory.
 
At the plate for the Express, Alicea Albertorio singled, drew two walks, and stole just as many bases. Ortiz Torres singled, stole three bases, and earned a base on balls. Flores doubled and walked, while Rodriguez reached base with a single.
 
On the mound for Kingsborough, sophomore pitcher Andrew Ardito earned his fourth win of the season as he struck out three batters in seven innings pitched.
 
The Express and Wave will conclude their four-game series with a doubleheader at Roberto Clemente State Park on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 12:00 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).