BLACKWOOD, N.J. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team suffered a hard-fought loss in six innings to Camden County College, 15-14, at Lady Cougars Field on Saturday afternoon. The second game was suspended in the top of the fifth due to darkness. Monroe had a 10-9 lead in that contest.

The Express (2-13) got off to a good start in the completed game as an RBI single by Judaiah Gourdine and a two-run base hit off the bat of Lauren Vuorinen propelled Monroe to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. 

The Lady Cougars (3-4) got one run back in the bottom frame.

Gourdine struck again for the Express in the top of the second, this time with an RBI double, to put Monroe back up by three runs. 

The Express had a 4-2 edge heading into the top of the fourth. Ciara Harriott and Brendalie Oliviery-Baker hit back-to-back singles to set the Blue and Gold up with nobody out. Gourdine, Genesis Matias, Vuorinen, and Jaliyah Rosario each drilled RBI base hits to pad the Express' benefit to 8-2. 

After giving up a run in the bottom of the fourth, Monroe responded in the top of the fifth with five runs in the frame to make it 13-3. The highlights of the Express' productive inning were an RBI double by Gourdine and an RBI single each by Harriott and Rosario.

Unfortunately for Monroe, the Lady Cougars' bats came to life in the bottom of the fifth as the home team scored 12 runs in the inning to jump out to a 15-13 advantage, highlighted by a grand slam courtesy of Halina Collins.

Monroe – Bronx got one run back in the top of the sixth thanks to an RBI single by Oliviery-Baker. However, it was not enough as 15-14 was the final score in favor of Camden County.

For the Express, Harriott went a perfect 5-for-5, including a double and a triple, and scored five runs. Oliviery-Baker went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Gourdine went 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Matias had two hits in two at bats, crossed home plate twice, drove in just as many runs, and earned a walk. Rosario went 3-for-4. Alicia Negrillo had two hits, including a double, and scored a run. Amandy Rodriguez singled, picked up an RBI, and earned a base on balls. Michelle Cortes Molina drew a walk. 

Monroe – Bronx will host Bergen Community College in a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon. First pitch at Flowers Park is set for 4:00 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.