VINELAND, N.J. – The Monroe – Bronx softball team earned a split against Rowan College of South Jersey - Cumberland on Saturday afternoon at Dukes Field. After dropping the first game, 17-9, the Express (7-14) bounced back to win the second contest, 9-1.
 
The Express have now won three of their last four games.
 
"Our bats were really on fire the whole day today and despite the tough loss in game one, I am extremely proud of how the team fought back and really stepped up to take game two," Express Head Softball Coach Lauren Farina said. "Everything was extremely clean, and they played with a ton of heart today."
 
In the opening game, Monroe got off to a good start by scoring three runs in the top of the first, highlighted by an RBI double off the bat of freshman catcher Brianna Talley.

Rowan (1-7) countered with three runs of its own in the bottom frame to tie it up.
 
Talley struck again in the top of the second with a two-run single that highlighted a three-run inning to put Monroe back in front 6-3. 
 
The Dukes plated a run in the bottom of the second and added two more in the third to even the game up at six runs apiece. 
 
The Express had a productive fourth inning as an RBI single by freshman third-base student-athlete Lauren Vuorinen and then a two-run double off the bat of freshman first-base player Hilda Sanchez allowed Monroe to regain a three-run lead at 9-6.
 
However, from that point, Rowan took over the game by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the fourth and then adding three runs in the fifth to clinch the victory.

Freshman pitcher Gianna Fiske got the win for Rowan as she gave up zero earned runs and struck out five batters in three innings of relief. 
 
Leading the way for the Express in game one was Sanchez who went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Talley scored three runs, stole a base, and drew a walk. Freshman right fielder Brendalie Oliviery-Baker produced a single, scored twice, drew a pair of walks, and stole a base. First-year center fielder Ciara Harriot produced a single, scored two runs, produced a stolen base, and earned a base on balls. First-year infielder Angelica Uribe-Perez doubled, scored a run, picked up an RBI, and earned a pair of walks. Rookie shortstop Sonia Rosa drove in two runs. Rookie designated player Amandy Rodriguez reached base with a single.
 
Monroe once came storming out of the gate in the second game by scoring three runs in the opening inning. Sanchez drove in the first two runs with a double and then she scored on an RBI single courtesy of Vuorinen.
 
Sanchez entered the circle and did not allow the opposition to counterattack as she retired the lineup in the home half of the first without giving up a run.
 
In the top of the second, Oliveiry-Baker reached base with two outs and then stole second. She came around to score on an RBI triple off the bat of Talley to extend Monroe's lead to 4-0. The next batter was Uribe-Perez who drove in Talley thanks to her single which gave the Express a 5-0 benefit. She ended up scoring from first due to an RBI triple to left by Sanchez which padded the Blue and Gold's advantage to 6-0. She crossed home plate for Monroe's seventh run thanks to an infield RBI single off the bat of Vuorinen. 
 
Monroe – Bronx added two more runs in the third thanks to sophomore catcher Ciara Aviles taking off from third and stealing home, as well as an RBI single by Oliveiry-Baker. 
 
The Dukes added one run in the bottom of the fifth but it was not enough as Monroe – Bronx went on to earn the convincing victory.
 
For the Express, Sanchez earned the complete-game victory in the circle as she struck out a batter and gave up just one earned run in five innings pitched.
 
At the plate for Monroe, Oliveiry-Baker went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. Harriott stole two bases and scored a run. Talley drilled two triples, scored a pair of runs, and earned a base on balls. Vuorinen and Rosa each went 3-for-3. Aviles had a single and stole two bases, including her steal of home.
 
Monroe takes on County College of Morris College on Sunday (April 7) in a doubleheader. First pitch at Morros Softball Field 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).