ELLICOTT CITY, Md. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team concluded its four-game Maryland trip with a pair of losses to NJCAA Division II Howard Community College, 17-0 and 11-5, at Kiwanis Wallas Park on Saturday afternoon.

In the opening game, a two-run home run by Marissa Webb highlighted a 10-run frame for the Dragons (4-4) and they never looked back. 

For the Express at the plate, Ciara Harriott drilled a double and drew a walk. Sonia Rosa and Michelle Cortes Molina reached via a base on balls. 

In the circle for Howard CC, Morgan Ryan got the win in relief by going 4.2 innings of shutout ball and striking out three Monroe hitters.

The Express got off to a better start in game two as Judaiah Gourdine drilled a two-run homer with two outs in the top of the first to give Monroe a 2-0 benefit. 

Howard answered in the bottom frame by scoring three runs to jump out in front. 

The Express entered the top of the third down 4-2. With a runner on third and nobody out, Harriott slapped a single to right which scored Alicia Negrillo to pull the Blue and Gold to within one. Later in the inning, Harriott ended up scoring on a passed ball to tie the game.

After the first two batters for Howard CC were retired in the third, the home team rallied with four runs as Holly Ryan and Giana Sablan each drilled a two-run homer to catapult the Dragons to an 8-4 lead. 

With Monroe down 11-4 in the top of the fifth, Gourdine struck again as she launched a double to center which scored Brendalie Oliviery-Baker from second for the Express' fifth run of the game. That concluded the scoring for the Blue and Gold as the Dragons went on to earn the sweep.

For Monroe, Harriott went 2-for-4 with a stolen base. Lauren Vuorinen reached base with a single. Rosa and Negrillo each had a one-base hit and earned a walk with the former scoring a run and the latter stealing a base. Oliviery-Baker singled as well.  

In the circle for the Express, Melissa Martinez struck out one batter in 2.1 shutout innings of relief and did not allow a hit. Gourdine started the game and fanned three hitters in three innings. Darlene Pena Puente struck out a batter.

For Howard CC, Marissa Webb was credited with the win and Sophia Steele earned the save as she struck out four batters in four innings pitched.

Monroe – Bronx will host NJCAA Division II Orange County Community College in its home opener on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch at Flowers Park is set for 3:00 p.m.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University 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 University 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.

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