ELLICOTT CITY, Md. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team dropped both ends of its doubleheader to NJCAA Division II Howard Community College, 9-0 and 12-4, at Kiwanis Wallace Park on Friday afternoon.

The first two innings of Game 1 were scoreless but then the Dragons (3-4) scored three runs in the third and then six more in the fourth to earn the shutout victory.

For the Express (0-4) during the contest, Lauren Vuorinen, Jaliyah Rosario, and Alicia Negrillo each produced a single. Ciara Harriott stole a base.

In the circle, Judaiah Gourdine went four innings for the Express and struck out two batters.

Sophia Steele earned a complete-game victory for the Dragons as she fanned three hitters and did not surrender a walk in five innings pitched. At the plate for Howard, Marissa Webb and Giana Sablan each drove in two runs with a single. 

In Game 2, Howard scored twice in the bottom of the first to take a 2-0 lead. Monroe - Bronx took advantage of an error in right field that scored two runs to tie the game in the top half of the second. Howard answered right back with a four-spot in the bottom frame, highlighted by a two-run homer courtesy of Taylor Pence to jump out to a 6-2 hold.

Each team scored a run during the third. In the top of the fourth, Amandy Rodriguez led it off for the Express by drilling a double to left. She advanced to third and the scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Harriott to pull the Blue and Gold to within three. 

In the bottom of the fourth, Courtney Johnson led it off with a home run to extend Howard's lead to 8-4. In the home half of the fifth, the Dragons exploded with four more runs to clinch the victory.

For Monroe, Brendalie Oliviery-Baker went 2-for-3, while Rodriguez worked a walk in addition to her double. Gourdine and Genesis Matias each singled with the former stealing two bases, earning a base on balls, and scoring a run. The latter also crossed home plate. Rosario walked and came around to score. Vuorinen worked a walk of her own.

In the circle for Howard, Raegan Perkes struck out five batters in five innings to pick up the complete-game victory.

These two teams will meet again in the same location on Saturday for another doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled 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.

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