RANDOLPH, N.J. – The Monroe College – Bronx softball team dropped two-hard-fought games to NJCAA Division II County College of Morris, 8-5 and 10-6, at Morris Softball Field on Sunday afternoon.
 
In game one, the Express (7-14) loaded the bases in the first inning with one out. Sophomore first-base student-athlete Hilda Sanchez drew a walk to score first-year center fielder Brendalie Oliviery-Baker from third and give Monroe a 1-0 advantage. The next batter was first-year third-base player Lauren Vuorinen who slapped a single to score freshman catcher Brianna Talley to extend the Blue and Gold's lead to two runs.
 
Morris (2-3) got one run back in the bottom of the first thanks to a solo home run by sophomore third-base student-athlete Olivia Dguiseppi to cut its deficit in half. The Titans' bats broke out in the third inning by scoring seven runs to jump out to a commanding 8-2 hold. 
 
The Express plated a run in the top of the fourth as freshman right fielder Amandy Rodriguez produced an RBI groundout to score first-year shortstop Sonia Rosa from third. Monroe added another run in the sixth thanks to Vuorinen crossing home plate from third. In the top of the seventh, Talley drilled a home run to center to narrow Monroe's deficit to 8-5. It was not enough as Morris got the final out to secure the win.
 
For the Express, Rosa and Vuorinen each collected two hits and a stolen base, with the former drawing a walk. Sophomore second-base player Ciara Aviles drilled a double. Talley and sophomore infielder Angelica Uribe-Perez each drew a walk with the latter also reaching base via a single. Oliviery-Baker singled and picked up a stolen base.
 
For Morris, freshman pitcher Morgan Demm got the win by going six innings, giving up three earned runs, and striking out a pair of batters. 
 
In game two, Morris scored three runs in each of the first two innings to jump out to a 6-0 advantage. 
 
The Express loaded the bases with one out in the top of the third. Uribe-Perez, Vuorinen, and Rosa each drew RBI walks to slice the Express' deficit in half at 6-3. Sanchez produced an RBI ground out to shrink Monroe's disadvantage to 6-4. Monroe could not push across a run during the remainder of the frame as the Blue and Gold stranded three runners.
 
In the top of the fourth, freshman center fielder Ciara Harriott reached base with a single. She stole second and then stole third. She ended up scoring on an RBI groundout courtesy of Talley to deflate Monroe's disadvantage to 6-5.
 
Morris scored one run in the bottom of the fourth and then added three more in the bottom of the sixth to pad its lead to 10-5. 
 
Monroe got a run back in the top of the seventh thanks to an RBI double off the bat of Sanchez to pull the Express to within four. However, Morris produced the final out to clinch the sweep.
 
For the Express at the plate, Oliviery-Baker went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored. Harriott scored two runs and drew a walk. Talley singled, while Uribe-Perez drew two walks and scored a run. Rosa went 2-for-2, including a double, and earned a base on balls as well as a run scored. Aviles hit a single and drew a walk. Freshman left fielder Jaliyah Rosario drilled a double and scored a run.
 
For the Titans in the circle, Demm once again got the win by giving up just two earned runs in 4.2 innings pitched.
 
These two teams will have a rematch next Sunday (April 14) at Flowers Park. First pitch of the doubleheader 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).