SELDEN, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team rallied to earn an important Region 15 victory over nationally ranked No. 7 Suffolk County Community College, 9-8, at Suffolk County CC Field on Tuesday afternoon.
 
With the win, Monroe – Bronx (17-11 overall) advances to 15-0 in the region which is the best regional start in program history. The Express extend their first-place lead over the Sharks (23-9, 11-2 Region 15) by two games in the loss column.
 
The win did not come easy as Monroe trailed 6-0 after six innings of play. The Blue and Gold scored three runs in the seventh and then the bats exploded with six runs in the eighth to jump out to a 9-7 lead. The Sharks scored a run in the bottom of the ninth, but Luis Roman closed the game out and earned a six-out save for the Express.
 
"The boys were relentless," Monroe – Bronx Head Coach Bryan Diaz said.
 
Each team was held scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when Suffolk County broke out with three runs, highlighted by an RBI double off the bat of Matthew Theofel. 
 
The Sharks' offensive attack continued in the bottom of the fifth as a two-run homer to right by Joseph Lomonaco capped off a three-run frame and extend the home team's lead to 6-0.
 
Hope seemed lost for Monroe as the leadoff hitter was retired in the top of the seventh and the bases were empty. Just eight outs from defeat, Edwin Minaya Jr. and Robert Herrera gave the Blue and Gold life by drilling back-to-back singles. Anthony Sanchez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Yadiel Santana stepped up to the plate and showed great patience by drawing a walk to send Minaya Jr. home to put the Express on the scoreboard. Elijah Andino and Gregory Cabrera each produced an RBI fielder's choice which sliced Monroe's deficit to 6-3.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, Suffolk County gave itself more breathing room as an RBI single by Ryan Sitler extended its advantage to 7-3.
 
In the top of the eighth, Monroe – Bronx was set up with runners on first and second, nobody out. Minaya Jr. lined a double to left which scored Yan Ortiz Torres from second to pull the Express to within three. Up next was Herrera and he slapped a single to right which sent Minaya Jr. home from third to narrow Suffolk County's lead to 7-5. After Sanchez walked, Monroe loaded the bases with one out. The big blow came off the bat of Santana as he roped a double to left which scored two runs to even the game at 7-7. Later in the inning, the Express twice had runners sent to home plate due to wild pitches which gave the Blue and Gold a 9-7 benefit. 
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Suffolk County had runners on first and second, nobody out. Roman entered the game and produced three consecutive outs, two of them via strikeouts, to help the Express escape the jam without giving up any runs.
 
Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth. Lomonaco hit a ground ball to short and took advantage of a throwing error by going all the way to second. Roman was able to get the next two batters out which resulted in Lomonaco advancing to third and two away. Dominick Viggiano of Suffolk County was hit by a pitch and then stole a base to set up runners on second and third. During the next at-bat, Lomonaco sprinted home on a wild pitch and was able to beat the tag to score the Sharks' eighth run. Viggiano, the potential tying run, advanced to third on the same play. However, Roman remained calm under pressure and got the opposing batter to strike out looking which clinched the thrilling come-from-behind win for the Express, 9-8, and secure Roman's second save of the season. 
 
For Monroe, José Capellán picked up his first win on the mound of his collegiate career as he pitched two solid innings out of the bullpen and gave up just one run. His strong performance helped keep the Express in the game before they made their rally. Roman struck out four batters during his two-inning save.
 
At the plate for the Express, Minaya Jr. and Herrera each went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Sanchez also crossed home plate twice. 
 
These two teams will meet again on Friday afternoon on the campus of Suffolk County Community College. First pitch of the single Region 15 game will be at 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.