NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team dropped both games of its doubleheader against nationally ranked No. 9 Brookdale Community College, 23-1 and 18-3, at Flowers Park on Thursday afternoon.

In Game 1, the Jersey Blues (9-1) scored five runs in the second and just as many in the third to jump out to a commanding lead. The Express (0-10) got on the board in the bottom of the third thanks to Ciara Harriott launching an inside-the-park home run deep to center field. It was not enough as Brookdale plated 13 more runs across the final two innings to earn the win.

For Monroe, Jalyn Miner, Amandy Rodriguez, and Alicia Negrillo each drew a walk. Brendalie Oliviery-Baker, Genesis Matias, and Lauren Vuorinen all reached base with a single. 

For Brookdale, Audra Lowe hit an inside-the-park two run homer, while Carmela Esposito drilled a solo inside-the-park round tripper. The former went 3-for-3 with four runs batted in and three runs scored. In the circle, Jules Hart struck out seven batters and gave up just one earned run in five innings pitched to earn the complete-game victory.

In Game 2, the Jersey Blues jumped out of the gate with five runs in the top of the first. 

After the Express fell behind 10-0, they had a big third inning with three runs. Oliviery-Baker led off the frame with a double and then Sonia Rosa worked a walk. Two batters later, with runners on first and second and one out, Matias slapped a single to right. Rosa advanced to third and scored on a throwing error for Monroe's first run of the contest. Vuorinen walked to load the bases. Then, Jaliyah Rosario worked a walk with the bases full which scored Judaiah Gourdine from third. After that, Yashira Centeno picked up an RBI on a groundout which scored Matias for Monroe's third run of the game.

That was all the offense the Express produced as the Jersey Blues added eight more runs during the final two innings to secure the sweep.

For Monroe – Bronx, Vuorinen walked twice, and Matias added a base on balls of her own. Gourdine reached base with a single.

Helping Brookdale was Lowe who hit an inside-the-park grand slam to kick off the scoring in the top of the first which marked her second homer during the twin bill. Later in the second game, she lined another inside-the-park home run to make it her second round-tripper of the contest and third of the afternoon. She went 4-for-4 during the game with seven runs batted in, three runs scored, a pair of stolen bases, and a walk. In the two games combined, Lowe went 7-for-7 with three home runs, 11 runs batted in, and six runs scored.

In the circle, Jadeyn Pavlik fanned five hitters in five innings pitched to pick up the complete-game win for the Jersey Blues.

Monroe – Bronx will return to Flowers Park on Saturday for a doubleheader against Roxbury Community College. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 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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