BRONX – The Monroe College – Bronx baseball team earned two important Region 15 victories over Kingsborough Community College, by scores of 12-7 and 5-1, at Roberto Clemente State Park on Saturday afternoon. The Express (13-18, 11-5 Region 15) win the regular season series over the defending Region 15 Champions, three games to one.
 
In the opening game, Monroe – Bronx trailed Kingsborough, 7-2, heading to the bottom of the fifth inning. Sophomore catcher Hecxiel Perez sparked Monroe's rally by hitting a three-run homer in the home half of the fifth to pull the Express to within two. It marked Perez's second round-tripper of the game and seventh of the season. After that, Monroe had a big sixth inning by scoring seven runs to jump out to a 12-7 advantage and then ended up winning the game by that score.
 
"Tremendous job by our bullpen to keep us in the game," Express Head Baseball Coach Bryan Diaz said. "Great power offense by Hecxiel Perez."
 
In the second game, Monroe – Bronx took control early by scoring three runs in the opening inning take the lead for good on its way to the sweep. Sophomore pitcher Didier Hernandez earned his second victory of the season in game two for the Express as he struck out four batters and gave up just one earned run on three hits in six innings pitched. 
 
"Key pitching by Didier Hernandez," Diaz said.
 
Back to the first game, Kingsborough (15-15, 14-6 Region 15) struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the second to go up 2-0. Monroe got one run back in the bottom frame thanks to Perez's first home run of the day to slice the lead in half.
 
Unfortunately for the Express, the Wave's lineup continued to produce by scoring a run in the third, and adding three more in the fourth, to take a commanding 6-1 benefit. Perez continued his strong hitting for Monroe by leading off the bottom of the fourth with a double. He came around to score thanks to an RBI by sophomore first baseman Camilo Rodriguez to pull the home team to within four.
 
Kingsborough extended its lead back to five in the top of the fifth, but then Perez's three-run homer to left in the bottom frame pulled the Express to within two.
 
Monroe trailed, 7-5, heading to the bottom of the sixth inning. Rookie left fielder Jeanpaul Alicea Albertorio led off the frame with a double to allow the potential tying run to come to the plate. Alicea Albertorio ended up scoring from second on an RBI single courtesy of freshman infielder Jesus Guerrero to shrink Monroe's deficit to 7-6. 
 
Later in the inning, the Express managed to load the bases with one out. Freshman third baseman Giovanny Flores worked a walk with the bags full to earn the RBI, score Guerrero from third, and most importantly, tie the game at seven. Up next was Perez, who once again came through in the clutch as he drilled a two-run single up the middle to give Monroe its first lead of the game, at 9-7. Two batters later, rookie shortstop Yan Ortiz Torres lined a double to center which scored two runs to extend Monroe's advantage to 11-7. After he stole third, he was driven home by a double to left-center field off the bat of Alicea Albertorio to pad Monroe's benefit to 12-7.
 
In the top of the seventh, ace pitcher Adrian Quezada came out of the bullpen for the Express. The sophomore phenom surrendered a leadoff walk but then retired the side, one-two-three, to seal the victory for the Blue and Gold.
 
For the Express, sophomore pitcher Luis Lopez got the win on the mound as he gave up no runs and no hits in 0.2 innings pitched. 
 
At the plate for Monroe, Perez had a monster game by going 4-for-4 with two home runs and a double, while driving in six runs and scoring four times. Ortiz Torres drilled two doubles. Alicea Albertorio scored a run and drew a walk. Rookie second baseman Joeliel Cruz earned a walk and came around to score. Sophomore outfielders Bryant Quezada and Gregory Espinal each reached base with a single. Rodriguez earned a base on balls. Sophomore right fielder Antwon Beverly scored twice. 
 
In game two, the Express had runners on the corners and nobody out in the bottom of the first. Bryant Quezada scored from third thanks to Flores reaching first on a throwing error. Flores, who then advanced to second, was credited with the RBI on the play. Perez continued his strong afternoon by slapping an infield single. Ortiz Torres advanced to third and then came home as the throw went to second base. Two batters later, Alicea Albertorio lined a single towards the pitcher. Thanks to a throwing error, Flores came around to score to increase the Express' lead to 3-0. 
 
Monroe added to its cushion in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to a home run to left by Bryant Quezada, his second of the season, to make it 4-0 in favor of the Express. 
 
Kingsborough loaded the bases with just one out in the top of the fourth. Hernandez escaped trouble by retiring the next two batters, capping it off with a strikeout, to keep Monroe's lead at 4-0. 
 
The Wave pushed a run across in the sixth to narrow the Express' advantage to 4-1. However, Monroe countered with a run of its own in the bottom frame thanks to Beverly scoring from third on a wild pitch. 
 
Lopez, who earned the win on the mound in the opening game, appeared out of the bullpen for the second time during the afternoon. With a runner on first and one out, he got the opposing batter to ground into a 4U3 double play to clinch both the Region 15 victory and the sweep for the Express.
 
At the plate for Monroe, Bryant Quezada went 2-for-4. Alicea Albertorio went 3-for-3 and stole a duo of bases. Ortiz Torres hit a single, drew a pair of walks, and stole two bases. Freshman catcher Yadiel Santana earned a base on balls. Beverly reached base with a single and stole a base.
 
Monroe – Bronx will host NJCAA Division II Rockland Community College, at Roberto Clemente State Park, on Monday afternoon. First pitch is set for 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).