NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team earned a pair of victories over Bergen Community College, 6-4 and 16-3, at Flowers Park on Thursday afternoon.

The opening game was a thriller as the Express (4-13) trailed 3-1 in the late stages of the game but exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth to jump out in front on its way to securing the win. In Game 2, Monroe fell behind 3-0 before the Blue and Gold even had a chance to bat, but then the Express scored a trio of runs in the bottom of the first and seven more in the second to take the lead for good. 

Sonia Rosa helped the Express by hitting two inside-the-park home runs during the second game. The first was a two-run drive in the bottom of the first and then it was a solo round-tripper in the bottom of the third.

Back to the opening contest, Bergen (1-10) struck first in the top of the second thanks to a solo inside-the-park home run by Isabella Lopez to give the visiting team a 1-0 edge. The Bulldogs made it 2-0 in the top of the third.

Monroe finally broke through with a run in the home half of the third as Rosa hit an RBI single up the middle, with two outs, to score Ciara Harriott from second to slice the Express' deficit in half.

Bergen regained its two-run lead in the top of the fourth as Mallory Mummert lined an inside-the-park home run to center.

Monroe – Bronx's lineup was shut down in the fourth and fifth innings. Fortunately for the Express, Judaiah Gourdine tossed scoreless frames in the fifth and sixth innings to keep the Blue and Gold within striking distance.

The bottom of the sixth was a very productive inning for the Express as they scored five runs in the frame. It started with runners on first and second, nobody out. Genesis Matias drilled a double to right center which scored Gourdine from second to pull the home team to within a run. A throwing error from the third base position allowed the Express to plate two runners home to put them in front, 4-3. Amandy Rodriguez lined a triple to right which scored Lauren Vuorinen from second, extending Monroe's lead to 5-3. With two outs, and the bases empty, Alicia Negrillo scorched a triple to right and then scored on a fielding error to pad Monroe's advantage to three.

Bergen scored one run in the seventh, but it was not enough as the Express hung on to earn the come-from-behind victory in Game 1, 6-4. 

For Monroe, Rosa went 2-for-3 and scored a run. Harriott singled. Jaliyah Rosario earned a base on balls. Gourdine produced a base hit. 

In the circle, Gourdine earned her second complete-game victory of the season by striking out nine batters in seven innings pitched.

In the second game, the Bulldogs scored three runs in the top of the first to take an early benefit. Monroe answered with three runs of its own in the bottom frame, highlighted by Rosa's two-run inside-the-park homer.

The Express' bats broke out with seven runs in the bottom of the second. The key plays in the frame were a three-run inside-the-park home run by Matias, a run-scoring triple off the bat of Rosario, and a two-run inside-the-park round tripper by Alicia Negrillo that capped the scoring in the stanza for the Express and gave them a 10-3 cushion. 

Rosa led off the bottom of the third with her second inside-the-park homer of the contest. Later in the frame, Vuorinen produced an RBI single and then Rodriguez notched a run-scoring infield single to extend Monroe's advantage to 13-3. 

After Monroe – Bronx made it 14-3 in the bottom of the fourth, Gourdine came up with a runner on first and drilled a two-run inside-the-park round tripper to inflate Monroe's cushion to 16-3. That ended up being the final score.

In the circle for the Blue and Gold, Melissa Martinez earned her first collegiate victory by going four innings, giving up just two earned runs, and striking out a batter. Jalyn Miner pitched a scoreless frame out of the bullpen without giving up a hit.

At the plate for the Express, Rosa went 3-for-4 with four runs scored, four runs batted in, and a stolen base. Harriott walked three times, stole just as many bags, and scored twice. Brendalie Oliviery-Baker singled, stole a base, and came around to score. Gourdine scored twice and drove in three runs. Matias went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Vuorinen produced three hits in three at-bats, including a double, while drawing a walk and crossing home plate twice. Rosario drove in two runs and came around to score, while Rodriguez walked.

Monroe – Bronx will host Raritan Valley in a doubleheader at Flowers Park on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for noon. 

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.