SUFFERN, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team lost a high-scoring contest to NJCAA Division II Rockland Community College, 15-10, at Rockland CC Baseball Field on Thursday afternoon.

The Express (0-7) got off to a great start in the contest as Christopher Marlin launched a two-run homer to left to give the Blue and Gold a 2-0 benefit. 

Anthony Sanchez started the game for the Express on the mound. After giving up a leadoff single, he retired Rockland's lineup in order in the bottom of the first to help Monroe keep its 2-0 benefit.

In the top of the second, the Express loaded the bases with one out. Marlin earned a walk on four pitches to score Nomar Rodriguez from third to extend the Blue and Gold's lead to 3-0.

In the visiting half of the third, Elijah Andino came up big by slapping a two-out RBI single to left which scored Giovanny Flores from second to extend Monroe's advantage to 4-0.

Rockland's (5-6-1) lineup broke out and changed the momentum in the bottom of the third by scoring five runs to jump out to a 5-4 lead.

Monroe got back on track in the top of the fourth as Yan Ortiz Torres led it off with a home run to center to tie the game at five runs apiece. 

Justin Martinez came out of the bullpen for the Express in the bottom of the fourth and pitched a scoreless frame, facing the minimum three batters. 

The bottom of the fifth was a different story as Rockland's bats exploded with seven runs during the frame, capped off by a two-run homer by Aidan Haywood to surge the Hawks to a 12-5 advantage.

Haywood struck again in the bottom of the seventh by launching his second two-run round-tripper of the day to cap a three-run frame and pad Rockland's lead to 15-6. 

Monroe – Bronx added a run in the top of the eight and then scored three times in the ninth, highlighted by RBI singles off the bats of Yadiel Santana and Pablo Aquino, but it was not enough as Rockland hung on to earn the come-from-behind victory, 15-10.

For the Express, Aquino went 3-for-4 with a triple, four stolen bases, and a walk. Robert Herrera went 3-for-5 and stole two bases.  Flores singled, scored twice, walked, and stole a bag. Juan Diaz doubled. Santana scored a run and picked up two stolen bases, while Rodriguez walked. Sanchez stole a base. Ortiz Torres drove in three runs.

For Rockland, Haywood compiled five RBIs. Alex Exarchakis went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs batted in, and three runs scored. Ryan Andino added two doubles, just as many RBIs, and a pair of runs. 

On the mound for the Hawks, Liam Murphy got the win out of the bullpen and went 5.2 innings.

Monroe – Bronx will travel to Edison, N.J. on Sunday for a doubleheader against nationally ranked No. 7 Middlesex College. First pitch at Middlesex College Stadium is set for 12:00 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.

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). Catch us on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/MonroeExpress.