NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx softball team earned a pair of Region 15 victories over Dutchess Community College, by scores of 17-2 and 12-4, at Flowers Park on Thursday afternoon. The Express bump their regional record to 5-1 (11-22 overall) which ties them for first place with nationally ranked No. 10 Suffolk County Community College in the Region 15 standings. The Express also clinch the four-game regular season sweep over the Falcons (1-17, 0-8 Region 15).
 
"They came together and worked as a team," Express Head Softball Coach Lauren Farina said. "Our goal is to be seeded No. 1 going into the regional postseason."
 
Monroe scored 13 runs in the bottom of the first inning in game one to set the tone early. Freshman catcher Brianna Talley started the scoring in the productive frame by driving in two runs with a double to left which put the Blue and Gold up 2-0. The next batter was sophomore first-base student-athlete Angelica Uribe-Perez who produced an RBI single. Later in the inning, rookie right fielder Amandy Rodriguez drove in a pair of runs with a base hit to extend Monroe's benefit to 5-0. 
 
After the Express scored the sixth run, Talley came up with the bases loaded. She drilled the ball deep to center and over the center fielder's head. The ball went all the way to the wall. Talley rounded third and crossed home plate for the inside-the-park grand slam which extended Monroe's lead to 10-0.
 
After the Express loaded the bases once again, rookie second-base player Sonia Rosa cleared the bases with a three-run double to inflate Monroe's cushion to 13-0.
 
The Express added two more runs in the second, thanks to an RBI single each by Uribe-Perez and second-year pitcher Hilda Sanchez, to extend their benefit to 15-0. 
 
In the home half of the third inning, freshman center fielder Ciara Harriott drilled a double to left center that scored Rodriguez from second. On the same play, Harriott came around to score thanks to a throwing error, extending Monroe – Bronx's hold to 17-0.
 
Dutchess added two runs in the top of the fifth, but it was not enough as Monroe – Bronx got the final out to clinch the victory in game one.
 
Sanchez got the complete-game win in the circle for the Express as she struck out three batters and gave up two runs in five innings pitched.
 
For Monroe – Bronx at the plate, Talley went 3-for-4, drove in six runs, and scored twice. Harriott scored four times, earned a base on balls, and stole a base. Rodriguez went 2-for-4 and scored a pair of runs. Sanchez had two hits and crossed home plate. Rookie third-base student-athlete Lauren Vuorinen singled, walked, and scored twice. Freshman shortstop Brendalie Oliviery-Baker singled and crossed home plate two times. Rookie left fielder Jaliyah Rosario singled, walked, and scored a duo of runs. Uribe-Perez scored twice and earned a base on balls. Rookie outfielder Brianna Castellanos worked a walk.
 
The Express got off to another good start in game two by scoring three runs in the opening frame, highlighted by a two-run inside-the-park home run by Uribe-Perez, to take a 3-0 advantage.
 
Monroe – Bronx scored three more runs in the bottom of the third to extend its benefit to 6-0. It all started with an inside-the-park-home run down the left-field line by Oliviery-Baker, with one out. Then, Uribe-Perez and Rodriguez each produced an RBI single. 
 
The Falcons made it interesting by scoring three runs in the top of the fourth to slice Monroe's lead in half. Dutchess scored a run in the top of the fifth to pull to within two, and then loaded the bases with two outs. With the tying run in scoring position and the go-ahead run at first, Uribe-Perez got the opposing batter to ground out to second to escape the jam.
 
The Express produced three key insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth, highlighted by an RBI groundout off the bat of Rodriguez, to increase Monroe's advantage to 9-4. 
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Monroe inflated its lead to 10-4 and had runners on second and third, with nobody out. Uribe-Perez clinched the regional victory for the Express, and the sweep, by drilling a double down the left-field line to score two runs to give Monroe – Bronx the 12-4 victory. 
 
Uribe-Perez earned the win in the circle by striking out six batters and giving up just two earned runs in six innings pitched. At the plate, she went 4-for-4 with five runs batted in and three runs scored. 
 
Also helping the Express was Oliviery-Baker who went 3-for-4 with a double, while stealing a base and scoring three runs. Harriott singled, scored twice, and drew a walk. Talley worked a pair of walks, stole a base, and scored twice. Vuorinen singled, walked, and scored. Rosa earned a base on balls, stole a base, and came around to score. Talley drew two walks, scored twice, and stole a base. Rodriguez reached with a walk.
 
Monroe – Bronx will continue Region 15 play on Saturday with a pair of games at nationally ranked No. 10 Suffolk County Community College. First pitch at Brentwood Softball Field is set for noon. 

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).