BRENTWOOD, N.Y. – The second-seeded Monroe University – Bronx softball team earned a berth in the Region 15 Championship Round for the second year in a row on Saturday afternoon. After falling to No. 3-seed Dutchess Community College in the opening game, 11-1, the Express bounced back later in the day to top No. 1-seed Suffolk County Community College, 12-1. All contests took place at Brentwood Softball field on the campus of Suffolk County Community College.

The Express will now battle the Falcons in the Region 15 Championship Round on Sunday afternoon. Dutchess defeated Suffolk County in the second game of the regional tournament, 18-4, and as a result, the Falcons need to win just one game on Sunday to capture the championship. Monroe must defeat Dutchess twice to claim its second straight regional title. Game 1 will begin at 12:00 p.m. at Brentwood Field. Game 2, if necessary, is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.

In the victory over the Sharks (10-18), the Express (9-34) came storming out of the gate with three runs in the top of the first, highlighted by a bases-loaded walk courtesy of Genesis Matias. In the top of the second, Sonia Rosa drilled an RBI single to extend the Express' benefit to 4-0. 

Monroe continued to pad its lead by scoring a run in the third. The Sharks got one back in the bottom frame, but then the Express regained its five-run advantage in the top of the fourth. 

In the top of the fifth, Monroe - Bronx exploded for six runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Ciara Harriott, to pad its cushion to 12-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Harriott caught a line drive in center field which clinched the Express' berth in the regional championship round.

For Monroe, Melissa Martinez earned the complete-game win as she struck out five batters and gave up just three hits and a run, without giving up a walk, in five innings pitched.

At the plate for Monroe, Harriott went 2-for-4, stole a pair of bases, and scored twice. Brendalie Oliviery-Baker had a solid game with a single, two walks, a pair of stolen bases, and scored three times. Lauren Vuorinen singled, walked, and scored twice. Rosa went 2-for-3 and crossed home plate two times. 

In the loss against Dutchess (12-14), the Falcons produced eight runs in the opening inning and never looked back. Rosa scored Monroe's lone run in the bottom of the fifth, but it was not enough.

At the plate for the Express in the opening game, Harriott singled and worked a duo of walks. Oliviery-Baker produced two base hits, while Rosa reached base with a single. Vuorinen drilled a base hit of her own.

In the circle for Monroe, Darlene Pena Puente gave up no runs in a full inning of relief work.

For updates regarding the Monroe University – Bronx softball team's journey in the Region 15 Championship Round, check out www.MonroeExpress.com as well as our social media channels. 

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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