BELLEROSE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team earned a pair of convincing Region 15 wins over Borough of Manhattan Community College, 20-1 and 20-0, at Padavan-Preller Field on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers (0-8, 0-8 Region 15) were the official home team for both contests.

The Express (8-10, 8-0 Region 15) have now won eight of their last nine games. Monroe - Bronx sweeps the four-game regional series over Borough of Manhattan, 4-0. 

In the opening game, Monroe scored three runs in the first frame, highlighted by an RBI single off the bat of Christopher Marlin.

BMCC got on the board in the bottom of the second, thanks to an RBI single by Jathan Harding, to narrow Monroe's advantage to 3-1. 

An RBI double by Marlin was the key to a two-run third inning which extended the Blue and Gold's benefit to 5-1. 

Monroe's strong hitting attack continued in the fourth as an RBI single by Pablo Aquino, a run-scoring double courtesy of Yan Ortiz Torres, an RBI base hit by Edwin Minaya Jr. and an RBI single by Robert Herrera padded the Express' lead to 9-1.

The top of the fifth inning was a productive one for the Blue and Gold with 11 runs being scored. Aquino's three-run double began the scoring in the stanza, while an RBI single by Minaya Jr. continued it. Herrera's two-run double made it 17-1 in favor of Monroe. Gregory Cabrera and Ortiz Torres each produced an RBI single. Marlin picked up an RBI to conclude the scoring.

Monroe – Bronx ended up winning the opening game, 20-1.

Brylyn Mateo earned his second complete-game victory of the season for the Express by striking out seven batters and giving up just one earned run in five innings pitched.

At the plate, Aquino went 4-for-4 with four runs scored, four RBIs, a trio of stolen bases, and a walk. Ortiz Torres went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, two runs batted in, a stolen base, and a base on balls. Herrera produced two hits, drove in four runs, scored a run, stole a bag, and walked. Marlin generated two hits, four runs batted in, four runs scored, and two walks. Minaya Jr. scored a run and stole a base. Cabrera scored twice and walked. Juan Diaz tripled, scored twice, stole two bags, and reached base via a walk. Anthony Sanchez scored three runs, earned a duo of stolen bases, and drew two walks. 

In Game 2, Monroe – Bronx struck early with 11 runs in the first and nine runs in the second to account for all the scoring in the contest.

Marcus Rodriguez had a strong game on the mound for the Express as he struck out 12 batters, gave up just one hit and one walk, in five shutout innings to clinch the complete-game victory. 

Herrera had another big game at the plate with a single, a triple, four runs batted in, two runs scored, and two walks. David Echavarria singled, doubled, drove in two runs, scored three runs, walked twice, and stole a base. Yadiel Santana singled twice, had two RBIs, stole a bag, and crossed home plate twice. Adrian Nunez drilled two doubles, scored three times, drove in a trio of runs, and worked a walk. Yavier Velazquez singled, scored three runs, and earned a base on balls. Jesus Guerrero doubled, picked up three RBIs, scored twice, and walked. Elijah Andino earned a base hit, drove in two runs, scored a run, and walked. Abraham Joaquin Taveras singled, scored twice, and walked. Joeliel Cruz scored twice, while Sanchez reached base by taking four pitches out of the strike zone. 

Monroe – Bronx takes on NJCAA Division II Orange County Community College, at Colt Baseball Field, on Sunday. First pitch of the doubleheader 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.