BRONX - The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team (27-14, 25-3 Region 15) continued its dominant run through Region 15 play by sweeping a doubleheader against Bronx Community College (19-19, 16-12 Region 15), by scores of 7-5 and 12-5, at Roberto Clemente State Park. With Saturday's regular-season finale victories, the Express have won all four meetings this year against Bronx CC.

The Express clinch the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Region 15 Double-Elimination Tournament. The first game will be against third-seeded Nassau Community College at Middle Country Park in Selden, N.Y. on Thursday at 3:00 p.m.

Monroe opened the day with a resilient 7-5 victory, overcoming an early deficit and responding with timely hits and composed pitching. After Bronx CC grabbed a 2-1 lead in the top of the third, the Express exploded for four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Yan Ortiz Torres delivered a clutch two-run single up the middle to give Monroe the lead for good, while Elijah Andino came up big with an RBI double.

Christopher Marlin was a key contributor at the plate and on the base-paths, doubling and scoring while also swiping a base. Defensively, the Express turned a pair of crucial double plays to escape jams and limit Bronx's rallies.

On the mound, Brylyn Mateo battled through six gritty innings, striking out eight and improving to 5-1 on the season. Isaul Lara shut the door in the seventh, earning his first save after retiring the side to preserve the win.

Despite Bronx's late push, including a solo home run by Giancarlo Leon and two stolen bases by Robert Genao, Monroe's consistency and balance proved too much to overcome.

The second game was all Monroe from the first pitch, as the Express unleashed a relentless offensive onslaught to cruise to a 12-5 win and complete the season sweep over Bronx CC.

Center fielder Pablo Aquino led off the attack for the Express with a double and later crushed a solo home run, finishing with four runs scored and two stolen bases. However, the standout performer of the afternoon was Robert Herrera, who put on a show at the plate. The freshman slugger went 3-for-3 with two towering home runs and a career-high six RBIs, driving in runs in each of his first three trips to the plate.

Anthony Sanchez also joined the home run parade, launching a solo shot to center in the fifth inning. Andino continued his hot day with another two-hit performance, while catcher Yadiel Santana added two hits and an RBI double.

Monroe racked up 15 hits in total, with eight different players recording at least one hit. The aggressive base-running unit tallied five stolen bases in the game, including thefts from Aquino, Andino, Jesus Guerrero, and Yavier Velazquez.

Starter Marcus Rodriguez earned the win for the Express, striking out seven over four innings. Daniel Pena Puente was lights out in relief, tossing three scoreless, hitless innings to earn his first save of the season. 

Bronx CC managed just four hits in the game, including a two-run homer by Genao, but couldn't keep pace with the Express' firepower.

Prior to the doubleheader, the Monroe University - Bronx Athletics Department honored the baseball team's sophomores with a ceremony. The honorees were Velazquez, Sael Flete, Marlin, Pena Puente, Yliandy Trinidad, Myles Pleasants, Leonardo Martinez, Joeliel Cruz, Jose Capellan, Luis Roman, Ortiz Torres, Flores, Edwin Minaya Jr., Jayden Moya, Guerrero, and Santana.

"To see the sophomores go out with wins in their last home regular season games is all I could ask for," Express Head Coach Bryan Diaz said. "Great team wins today as we look to carry the momentum into the playoffs."

For more information regarding the upcoming Region 15 Postseason, 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. 
 
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.