New Rochelle, New York – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team delivered back-to-back comeback victories in an electrifying doubleheader sweep of Dutchess Community College, winning by scores of 11-10 (eight innings) and 13-12 on Tuesday afternoon at Flowers Park. With the Region 15-opening wins, the Express improve to 2-0 in regional play and 10-15 overall, while Dutchess falls to 5-8 for the season (1-4 Region 15).
The highlight performer of the day was Brendalie Oliviery-Baker as she delivered two walk-off singles to clinch each regional win for Monroe. The first occasion occurred with the game tied at 10 in the bottom of the eighth with runners on first and second, one out. She slapped the ball the opposite way to left field, and it dropped down to the ground, allowing Lauren Vuorinen to cross home plate ahead of the throw and secure the first Region 15 victory for the Blue and Gold. In Game 2, the Express had runners at the corners, nobody out, in a 12-12 game in the bottom of the seventh. Oliviery-Baker pushed the ball past the circle and towards third, scoring Alicia Negrillo and sending Monroe to a 2-0 regional record.
"Today's region wins were very important to us, so we just made sure to show up with a lot of energy and the proper mindset, Oliviery-Baker said. "I just went into the box thinking 'get on base.' I just happened to hit it to the right places."
In Game 1, Monroe clawed back from a six-run deficit, sparked by a sensational two-home run, four-RBI performance from Judaiah Gourdine, who also earned the complete-game win in the circle. The Express erupted for five runs in the third inning to tie the game at 6-6, with a key two-run single from Oliviery-Baker and an inside-the-park homer by Gourdine. After Dutchess regained the lead with a three-run seventh, Monroe responded again—tying the game in the bottom half and walking it off in the eighth on Oliviery-Baker's fourth hit of the game.
The Express totaled 17 hits, with multi-hit efforts from Oliviery-Baker (4-for-5, three RBIs), Gourdine (2-for-4), and Vuorinen (3-for-4, three runs). Gourdine tossed 8.0 innings with four strikeouts, limiting Dutchess just enough to seal the win.
In Game 2, Monroe's bats stayed hot as the Blue and Gold erased another early Dutchess lead in a game that saw 30 hits and 25 total runs. The second inning was the difference, where Monroe exploded for eight runs, highlighted by an inside-the-park grand slam from Amandy Rodriguez and a two-run inside-the-park homer by Genesis Matias. Rodriguez finished 2-for-3 with five RBIs, continuing her dominant series.
Dutchess tied the game at 12-12 in the top of the seventh, but Monroe came through again in the bottom of the frame. After Negrillo was hit by a pitch and Ciara Harriott singled, Oliviery-Baker delivered the walk-off RBI infield single to cap the thrilling sweep.
Other standouts included Harriott (3-for-5, two runs, one RBI) and Sonia Rosa (2-for-3, one RBI, two runs). Darlene Pena Puente earned the win in relief, as she gave up no earned runs with one strikeout during her appearance in the seventh inning. Melissa Martinez started the game in the circle and gave up just three earned runs and struck out a pair of batters in six innings pitched.
Monroe – Bronx will return to action on Thursday, April 10, with a road doubleheader against No. 4 Brookdale Community College. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., followed by Game 2 at 5:00 p.m. in Lincroft, N.J.
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.
