SELDEN, N.Y. – The #2-seed Monroe University – Bronx baseball team had its successful season end in the Region 15 Championship Game on Sunday afternoon as the Express fell to the nationally ranked No. 6 and regional top-seeded Sharks of Suffolk County Community College, 9-3, at Middle Country Park. 

It was a successful season for the Express as they won 30 games - just one shy of the program all-time single-season record -, secured the No. 2 seed in the Region 15 Tournament with a 25-3 record in regional play, clinched a berth in the Region 15 Championship Round for the fourth year in a row, had six players who earned All-Region accolades, and four players who won gold glove awards. After dropping the first game in the regional double-elimination tournament, the Express stormed back to win the next three games, including the opening game of the Region 15 Championship Round against Suffolk County, to force a second and deciding game for the title. 

For the Express, Yan Ortiz Torres, Robert Herrera, Marcus Rodriguez, and Myles Pleasants earned spots on the Region 15 All-Tournament team. 

In the second game of the Region 15 Championship Round, Monroe (30-16) got off to a good start in the top of the first as Ortiz Torres drilled a double to left center that scored Pablo Aquino all the way from first to give the Express a 1-0 lead.

Ortiz Torres started the game on the mound for the Blue and Gold and tossed shutout frames in the first and second. The Express added to their lead in the top of the third when Edwin Minaya Jr. was caught in a rundown between first and second which allowed Herrera to advance two bases and score to make it 2-0.

The Sharks (40-12) responded in the bottom of the third as an RBI single off the bat of Matthew Theofel and then an RBI double courtesy of Jake Tannenbaum evened the game at two runs apiece.

In the top of the fourth, Monroe had runners on second and third with two outs. Herrera stepped up to the plate and ripped a single through the left side to score Nomar Rodriguez from third to put Monroe back in front, 3-2.

The Sharks' bats broke out in the bottom of the fourth as a two-run single by Joseph Lomonaco capped off a four-run inning to give Suffolk County a 6-3 advantage. 

The Express fell further behind in the bottom of the fifth as the Sharks took advantage of a throwing error that scored the home team's seventh run of the game.

Monroe was able to load the bases in the sixth and seventh innings but could not capitalize on either opportunity. 

Tannenbaum struck again for Suffolk County in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run double to inflate the home team's benefit to 9-3.

Abraham Joaquin Taveras gave the Express some hope in the top of the ninth with a double, but it was not enough as the Sharks got the third out to clinch the Region 15 Championship. They will play in a Best-Two-Out-Of-Three Series for the Northeast District Championship this upcoming weekend against an opponent to be determined. 

The Express outhit the Sharks 11-10 during the afternoon. Herrera, Joaquin Taveras, and Christopher Marlin each produced two hits. Anthony Sanchez doubled.

On the mound for Monroe, Jose Capellan gave up no earned runs and struck out a batter in two innings pitched. 

For the Sharks, Tannenbaum went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three runs batted in. Dominick Viggiano stole two bases, scored three runs, and produced an RBI single. Theofel went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs. Lomonaco had two hits, including a double, and drew two walks.

Suffolk County's pitching was led by Luca Occhiogrosso who went 2 1/3 innings scoreless innings out of the bullpen, giving up just two hits and striking out three batters to earn his fifth save of the season. Eric Mohr started the game and got the win, giving up two earned runs and fanning a trio of hitters in 6 1/3 innings.

The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team will return for the fall season in September.

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.