SELDEN, N.Y. – The #2-Seed Monroe University – Bronx baseball team dropped the first game of the Region 15 Double-Elimination Tournament to #3-Seed Nassau Community College, 7-4, at Middle Country Park on Sunday afternoon. However, the Express were able to stay alive in the tournament by winning an elimination game over #4-Seed Bronx Community College, 11-1, later that evening.

The Express (28-15) will play again on Saturday (Time TBA) against the non-winner of Nassau and top-seeded Suffolk County Community College. If the Express win that contest, they earn a berth in the Region 15 Championship Round for the fourth year in a row. If they lose, the Blue and Gold will be eliminated. 

In the opening game, the Lions (21-14) scored six runs in the top of the first inning to take a commanding lead. Monroe got one run back in the bottom of the third thanks to an RBI groundout off the bat of Pablo Aquino. 

Nassau extended its lead back to six in the top half of the fifth. In the bottom frame, Elijah Andino led it off with a home run to left which narrowed the Express' deficit to 7-2. 

Monroe – Bronx came out swinging in the bottom of the sixth. After Aquino hit a leadoff single, Yan Ortiz Torres executed a perfectly placed bunt down towards third that resulted in a base hit. After that, Robert Herrera singled up the middle to score Aquino from second and shrink Nassau's lead to 7-3. However, the Lions' defense and pitching escaped the jam by producing a line-drive double play and forcing a groundout to keep their lead at four. 

Monroe could not drive in the two runners it had on base in the bottom of the eighth.

In the home half of the ninth with two outs, Abraham Joaquin Taveras lined a double to score Anthony Sanchez from second to decrease Monroe's deficit to 7-4. Then, Diaz walked to send the tying run to the plate. However, Nassau was able to get the final out as Ariel Nunez caught a popup in foul territory to clinch the postseason victory for the Lions and a spot in the winner's bracket.

Ortiz Torres went 2-for-4 for the Express. Sanchez scored two runs, while Herrera and Diaz each drew two walks.

On the mound for Monroe, Marcus Rodriguez gave up just one hit and one walk, while striking out five batters, in 4.1 shutout innings out of the bullpen. 

For the Lions, Michael Jazylo got the win as he went 7.2 innings, gave up just two earned runs, and fanned three hitters. Chris Stumpf closed the last inning and a third to earn the save.

In Monroe's victory over Bronx CC (20-21), the Express scored four runs in the bottom of the second to take a 4-0 lead. The Broncos got one run back in the third.

In the home half of the fourth, Ortiz Torres gave Monroe more breathing room by producing a two-run single to give his team a 6-1 cushion.

In the bottom of the fifth, Sanchez belted his fifth homer of the year, a solo shot, to give the Express a 7-1 benefit.

The sixth inning was a big one for Monroe with four runs being scored. The first two were courtesy of a two-run double off the bat of Yadiel Santana. The next hitter was Christopher Marlin who lined the ball over the left-field fence for a two-run home run which clinched the victory for the Express to keep them alive in the Region 15 Postseason.

Myles Pleasants earned a complete-game victory for Monroe as he struck out nine batters, gave up no earned runs, no walks, and just one hit in six innings pitched. 

At the plate for Monroe, Ortiz Torres drove in three runs and stole two bases. Aquino went 2-for-4 and scored three runs. Sanchez collected two hits and crossed home plate twice. Nomar Rodriguez singled, walked, and scored twice.

For updates regarding Monroe's run in the 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. 
 
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