EDISON, N.J. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team dropped two games to Middlesex College, 14-5 and 9-7, at Middlesex Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. The Colts (7-1) are currently receiving votes in the NJCAA Division III National Softball Poll. 

The Express (2-10) struck first in the opening inning of game one to take a 1-0 lead. Middlesex countered in the bottom of the first by scoring four times, kicking off with a two-run double off the bat of Carla Seyfarth.

In the top of the second, Monroe was set up with runners on first and second, one out. Amandy Rodriguez stepped up to the plate and drilled a double to right, scoring both Jaliyah Rosario and Lauren Vuorinen, to slice the Express' deficit to 4-3. Rodriguez advanced to third on the throw to home. She ended up scoring on a sacrifice fly by Alicia Negrillo to even the game at four runs apiece.

Unfortunately for Monroe, Middlesex broke the game open with 10 runs in the bottom of the second which began with a bases-clearing three-run triple off the bat of Seyfarth which gave the home team the lead for good.

The Express got one run back in the top of the fifth thanks to Vuorinen scoring from third on an RBI single by Ciara Harriott, but it was not enough as Middlesex earned the victory in Game 1.

For Monroe, Harriott went 4-for-4 with a run scored. Sonia Rosa hit a single and drove in a run. Vuorinen went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored and a stolen base. Rosario earned a one-base hit and walked twice. Brendalie Oliviery-Baker singled, while Genesis Matias earned a base on balls.

For Monroe – Bronx in the circle, Jalyn Miner pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen without giving up a hit. 

For Middlesex, Madison Rackett earned a complete-game victory as she struck out seven batters in five innings.

Monroe once against got off to a fast start in Game 2 with a pair of runs in the top of the first, capped off by an RBI single courtesy of Rosa, to take a two-run advantage. 

The Colts countered with two in the bottom frame. After Rackett opened the scoring with an RBI single, Seyfarth struck again with a run-scoring triple to even the game.  

In the top of the second, Monroe jumped back in front thanks to Harriott scoring on a passed ball with two outs.

Melissa Martinez entered her second inning of work in the circle for the Express and pitched a scoreless frame to keep it 3-2 in favor of Monroe. 

The Express padded their lead in the top of the third as an RBI double off the bat of Negrillo and then a two-run single courtesy of Harriott, all with two outs, catapulted Monroe to a 6-2 benefit. 

Martinez kept the momentum going for the Blue and Gold in the circle by tossing another shutout inning.

The Colts' bats did not stay quiet for long as a two-run double by Leah Kripaitis and then an RBI single by Seyfarth narrowed Monroe's benefit to 6-5. 

In the top of the fifth, Monroe – Bronx had runners on first and third, nobody out. Matias ended up scoring from third on an RBI groundout courtesy of Rosario to extend Monroe's advantage to 7-5. 

Middlesex's bats broke out in the bottom of the fifth by plating four runs, courtesy of a two-run triple by Makenzie Marsh to tie it, a go-ahead RBI single off the bat Kripaitis, and an insurance RBI produced by Seyfarth, to put the Colts ahead by a score of 9-7. 

The Express's lineup went down in order during the top of the sixth and the game ended early because of darkness, clinching the sweep for Middlesex. 

For Monroe, Harriott scored two runs and drew just as many walks. Matias doubled, scored twice, stole a base, and earned two walks. Rosario walked and crossed home plate. Oliviery-Baker singled, stole a base, and scored, while Rosa stole a bag of her own. Gourdine earned a walk and stole a base. 

Martinez pitched a complete game for the Express and racked up a strikeout. 

For Middlesex, Kelsey Geurts struck out six batters in 2.2 innings pitched. 

Monroe – Bronx will take on Camden County College, at Lady Cougars Field, on Thursday afternoon. First pitch of the doubleheader 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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