BRONX – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team won its second game over Bronx Community College at Ohio Field this week, this time by a score of 11-9 on Thursday afternoon.

Monroe bumps its Region 15 record to 23-3 (25-14 overall) and moves into a virtual tie with Suffolk County Community College for first place in the Region 15 standings. The Broncos drop to 16-10 in the region and 19-17 for the season.

The Express surrendered a run in the opening inning to fall behind. However, Monroe's bats exploded in the top of the third with seven runs scored in the frame. The highlights of Monroe's productive inning were an RBI triple by Abraham Joaquin Taveras, a run-scoring double off the bat of Yan Ortiz Torres, bases-loaded-walks by Elijah Andino and Giovanny Flores, and a two-run single courtesy of Juan Diaz. Also in the third, Pablo Aquino earned an RBI that gave Monroe the lead.

The Broncos got three runs back in the bottom of the fourth to pull to within three. 

Fast forward to the top of the seventh. Ortiz Torres drove in two runs with a single to pad Monroe's lead to 9-4. During the next at-bat, Aquino was on third and then took off for home. He slid and touched the plate ahead of the throw from the pitcher for a successful steal of home to extend the Blue and Gold's lead to 10-4.

The Express added an insurance run in the top of the ninth thanks to a sacrifice fly to right by Robert Herrera which scored Diaz from third to inflate the Express' cushion to 11-4.

Bronx CC did not go down without a fight in the bottom of the ninth as the Broncos scored three runs via bases-loaded walks to pull to within four. After a sacrifice fly shrunk Monroe's lead to 11-8, William Whitcomb stepped up to the plate with runners on first and second, two outs. He hit a popup and the ball landed on the shallow right side of the infield which allowed a run to score and shrink the Express' advantage to 11-9. Then, the runner that advanced to second tried to get to third since the base was unoccupied. Express pitcher Luis Roman threw the ball to Herrera who was running to third base and ended up tagging the sliding runner for the third out which clinched the win for Monroe – Bronx.

On the mound for the Express, Jose Capellan got the win in relief as he struck out four batters in 3.2 innings pitched. Roman earned his third save of the season. Sael Flete started the game for Monroe and struck out three batters in 3.1 innings pitched. Justin Martinez gave up no earned runs and fanned a batter in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen. 

At the plate for Monroe, Ortiz Torres went a perfect 5-for-5 and drove in three runs. Diaz went 2-for-3, scored three times, and compiled two runs batted in. Aquino scored twice.

The Express and Broncos will conclude the regular season by finishing their four-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday at Roberto Clemente State Park. First pitch is at noon. It's Sophomore Day and Monroe University – Bronx will have a ceremony prior to first pitch.

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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