BRONX – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team won its second game against the defending two-time Region 15 Champion Kingsborough Community College this week, this time by a score of 18-8, at Roberto Clemente State Park on Friday afternoon. The Express advance to 19-14 overall and 17-3 in Region 15 play, while the Wave drop to 22-10 for the season and 15-7 against regional opponents.

The Express were powered by three home runs during the game, one each off the bat of Pablo Aquino, Edwin Minaya Jr., and Anthony Sanchez. Aquino and Sanchez have now hit three home runs in two games.

Aquino got the Express on the board right away with a solo home run to lead it off in the bottom of the first to give Monroe a 1-0 lead. That was part of a three-run opening frame by the Blue and Gold that was also sparked by an RBI single off the bat of Minaya Jr. and a sacrifice fly courtesy of Sanchez.

Kingsborough answered with two runs in the top of the second to pull to within one. Monroe built its lead back to two in the bottom frame thanks to an RBI single by Yan Ortiz Torres. 

The third inning was a big one for the Express as they scored eight runs, thanks to a two-run double by Elijah Andino, a run-scoring single off the bat of Gregory Cabrera, an RBI double by Aquino, a run-scoring base hit courtesy of Ortiz Torres, and a three-run homer to center by Minaya Jr. which capped off the scoring in the inning and gave the home team a commanding 12-2 hold.

Sanchez led off the bottom of the fourth with a home run to left which put Monroe up by 11. Later in the stanza, Aquino produced an RBI single to inflate the Express' cushion to 14-2.

The Wave chipped away with two runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth to shrink the Express' benefit to 14-8.

KCC's rally was not enough as the Express' bats reawakened in the bottom of the eighth. Andino drilled a run-scoring single to extend his team's lead to 15-8. Later in the frame, Monroe extended its hold to 16-8 with the bases loaded and one out. Ortiz Torres stepped up to the plate and drove in two runs with a single to clinch the run-rule victory for the Express, 18-8. 

Jayden Moya earned the victory on the mound for Monroe – Bronx, his fifth of the season, as he pitched five innings, giving up four runs and striking out four batters. Isaul Lara pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the Blue and Gold, retiring all six batters he faced. Daniel Pena Puente struck out a batter in 0.2 innings of work.

During the afternoon for the Express at the plate, Aquino went 4-for-5 with two doubles, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Robert Herrera went 2-for-3, including a double, drew two walks, and scored twice. Ortiz Torres compiled three hits and four RBIs. Minaya Jr. produced two hits, drove in four runs, and crossed home plate three times. Christopher Marlin drilled two doubles, while Sanchez picked up two RBIs and scored twice. Andino went 3-for-5 with two doubles as he scored three times and drove in a trio of runs. Cabrera and Juan Diaz each scored two times. 

Monroe – Bronx and Kingsborough will conclude its regional four-game series with a doubleheader at Kingsborough Field on Saturday. First pitch is set 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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