WEST HARRISON, N.Y. - The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team took in a thrilling game against NJCAA Division II nationally ranked No. 21 Westchester Community College, at Silver Lake Park, on Tuesday afternoon. The Express were narrowly edged by the 2024 Division II World Series Participant Vikings, 7-6.
 
It was a thrilling back-and-forth affair that featured four lead changes. Monroe (0-2) had a 6-5 advantage heading into the bottom of the ninth, but Westchester (5-2) scored two runs in the frame to earn the come-from-behind victory in walk-off fashion.  
 
Express rookie starting pitcher Brylyn Mateo got off to a strong start on the mound as he faced the minimum six hitters through the first two innings. However, The Vikings struck first in the bottom of the third as sophomore Nick Vendola delivered a clutch two-RBI single down the left field line, bringing home freshman Elijah Villanueva and classmate Joseph Cohen to give Westchester an early 2-0 lead. The hit was a critical moment as it set the tone for a game that would see many momentum swings.
 
Monroe - Bronx responded in the fifth inning, cutting into Westchester's lead. Freshman Elijah Andino doubled down the left field line, driving in rookie Juan Diaz from second. This brought the Express to within one, making the score 2-1. Moments later, freshman Robert Herrera hit into a fielder's choice that allowed Andino to score from third which tied the game at 2-2. Monroe took the lead for the first time in the game when Herrera stole second, and Andino crossed the plate on the throw, making it 3-2.
 
In the sixth inning, the Express added another run to extend their lead. Rookie Anthony Sanchez singled up the middle, scoring sophomore Christopher Marlin from second. This padded Monroe's advantage to 4-2.
 
Westchester responded quickly in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore Lucas Feliciano came through with a huge three-run homer to left field, driving in freshman Randel Wiesner and classmate Jhonny Ortiz. With this big blast, the Vikings regained the lead at 5-4, igniting their dugout and shifting the momentum back in their favor.
 
The back-and-forth action continued in the top of the eighth inning. Two outs and the bases empty, Marlin singled for Monroe and then Sanchez and Diaz each worked walks to load the bases. A passed ball allowed rookie pinch runner Yavier Velazquez to score, tying the game at 5-5. Moments later, sophomore Yadiel Santana came up to pinch hit and singled to right field, driving in Sanchez from third to give Monroe a 6-5 lead as they continued to battle.
 
Westchester wasn't done yet, though. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with a runner on third and one out, Villanueva doubled down the left field line, driving in freshman Peter Portugues to make the score 6-6. Three batter later, Ortiz came up with the bases loaded and one out. He scorched a single up the middle, bringing home Villanueva. With that clutch hit, Westchester won the game, 7-6.
 
On Monroe's side, Sanchez had a solid performance by going 2-for-3, including a run scored, an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base.
 
On the mound for the Express, Mateo went five innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out a pair of batters.
 
For the Vikings, sophomore Michael Dawson earned his second victory of the season as he struck out two batters in relief.
 
Monroe – Bronx will travel to Delaware to take on Delaware Technical Community College on Saturday. First pitch of the doubleheader at Delaware Tech. Baseball Field is set for 11:00 a.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.