UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The Monroe University - Bronx baseball team's impressive run in Region 15 play continued on Monday afternoon with a dominant 11-4 win over Nassau Community College. The contest took place at Mitchel Athletic Complex. The win pushes Monroe's overall record to 16-11 while keeping them undefeated at 14-0 in the region. From the second inning on, Monroe controlled the pace, using timely hitting, aggressive base running, and strong relief pitching to secure the victory. The Express claim all four games in the season series over the Lions.
"Our pitchers are attacking the zone, and our bats have been hot," Express Heading Coach Luis Lopez said.
After a quiet first inning, Monroe opened the scoring in the top of the second. With one out, Robert Herrera singled up the middle and quickly stole second. After a walk and a fielding error, Herrera came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Anthony Sanchez, giving Monroe a 1-0 lead. The Blue and Gold added another run in the third when Pablo Aquino doubled and later scored following a single from Yan Ortiz Torres and a stolen base that forced a defensive miscue. The Express led 2-0 after two and a half innings of play.
Nassau (10-10, 9-5 Region 15) responded with a run in the bottom of the third, and Monroe answered back in the top of the fourth. Herrera drew a walk and stole his second base of the day before scoring on a base hit from Elijah Andino. Andino later scored on another RBI single, this time by by Nomar Rodriguez, to extend Monroe's lead to 4-1. The Lions threatened in the bottom half, plating two unearned runs due to fielding errors and a balk, cutting the Express' lead to 4–3. But Monroe didn't flinch.
The Express broke the game open in the fifth inning. After a fielding error and a hit-by-pitch set the table, Edwin Minaya Jr. drove in a run with a single. Then, Sanchez delivered the biggest hit of the game with a double down the left field line that scored two more. That surge continued with a sacrifice fly from Andino to cap a five-run inning, giving Monroe a 9-3 lead. Although Nassau answered with one more run in the bottom of the fifth, it would be the last time they crossed the plate.
Pitching was a key to Monroe's success down the stretch. Starter Myles Pleasants went four-plus innings, allowing four runs—only two earned—before handing the ball to Isaul Lara in the bottom of the fifth with runners on first and second, nobody out. Lara retired the opposing lineup, 1-2-3, for a clean fifth inning and ended up earning the win on the mound for the Express. Brylyn Mateo then entered in the sixth and shut the door with four shutout innings, allowing just two hits while striking out two to earn the save.
Monroe tacked on two more insurance runs in the seventh inning. After a leadoff single and a hit-by-pitch, Sanchez came through again with a ground-rule double to drive in a run. Andino followed with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 11–4. From there, Monroe's pitching and defense held strong, retiring Nassau in order in both the eighth and ninth innings to close out the game.
"Great series win against Nassau," Express Pitching Coach Tyler Cadena said. "Hopefully we can keep the same mojo going during our big series against Suffolk County."
Leading the way offensively for Monroe was Sanchez, who went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, a double, and a sacrifice fly. Herrera had a strong performance with two hits, four runs scored, two stolen bases, and a hit-by-pitch. Minaya Jr. added two hits and an RBI, while Andino drove in three runs on a single and two sacrifice flies. Ortiz Torres also contributed with a hit, a walk, and a stolen base.
It will be a battle for first place in the Region 15 standings as the Express open a four-game series against nationally ranked No. 7 Suffolk County Community College on Tuesday afternoon. The Sharks are in second place in the region with an 11-1 regional record. First pitch on the campus of Suffolk County CC 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.
