NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx softball team dropped a pair of hard-fought games to nationally ranked No. 8 Community College of Rhode Island, by scores of 9-0 and 13-2, at Flowers Park on Sunday afternoon.
 
In the second game, the Express (11-26) kept it close in the early innings but then the Knights (30-2) scored eight runs in the top of the sixth to put the game out of reach. 
 
In the opening contest, Rhode Island scored three runs in the first to take the lead for good on its way to the shutout victory.
 
For the Express in game one, freshman center fielder Ciara Harriott and sophomore pitcher Hilda Sanchez each reached base with a single. Sophomore first-base student-athlete Angelica Uribe-Perez and first-year catcher Sonia Rosa each reached first with a walk. 
 
For the Knights, rookie pitcher Sophia Chevian earned the complete-game victory in the circle by striking out five batters in five shutout innings pitched.
 
In game two, the Express fell behind by a score of 1-0 in the top of the second. However, Monroe answered back in the bottom frame as Rosa hit a sacrifice fly to left which scored Sanchez from third to even the game at a run apiece. 
 
CCRI immediately answered with a trio of runs in the top of the third. Monroe – Bronx got one run back in the bottom stanza as Harriott reached base with a single. She then stole second and came around to score on a throwing error by the catcher to pull Monroe to within two. 
 
The Knights prevented the Express from getting closer. Not only that, but they pulled away by scoring a run in the fifth and adding eight more in the sixth to go up 13-2 before clinching the sweep.
 
For Monroe, rookie third-base student-athlete Lauren Vuorinen went 2-for-3. Sanchez singled and stole third. Rosa and Uribe-Perez each singled. Harriott stole two bases, while freshman second-base player Brendalie Oliviery-Baker drew a walk. 
 
For the Knights, freshman pitcher Janina Mazzulla earned the complete-game win by giving up no earned runs and striking out five batters in six innings pitched. 
 
Prior to the games, Monroe – Bronx honored four sophomores with a Sophomore Day Ceremony. The student-athletes who were recognized were Herleen Castillo, Ciara Aviles, Sanchez, and Uribe-Perez. 
 
Monroe – Bronx will close out the regular season with a doubleheader at NJCAA Division II Sussex County Community College on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 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).