HICKORY, N.C. – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team opened the 2026 season with a three-game series against Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute. A doubleheader occurred on Saturday and then a single game took place on Sunday. The contests took pace at Durham Field in Hickory, North Carolina. 

The Cobras won all three games by scores of 13-3 (Game 1), 9-4 (Game 2), and 18-2 (Game 3).

It was a battle of two team receiving votes in the NJCAA Division III Baseball Preseason Poll.

In each contest, the Cobras (5-4) jumped out to big leads early and never looked back.

In the season opener on Saturday, Devyn Rolle had a big game for the Express (0-3) at the plate, going  2-for-3, including an RBI single, and scored a run. He also drilled a triple. Elijah Andino lined a double and snatched a bag. Robert Herrera produced a hit, drew a walk, and stole two bases. Joshua Osorio singled and picked up an RBI in his collegiate debut. Oneal Polanco stole a base and scored a run. Pablo Aquino earned a base on balls and successfully stole a bag. 

In the second game of the doubleheader, Herrera and Yaxiel Morales De Jesús each hit a double and crossed home plate, with the latter also reaching first on four pitches outside the zone. Anthony Sanchez drove in two runs. Juan Carlos Salcedo tripled and scored. He also took four pitches out of the zone to reach first. Aquino singled, scored, and worked a walk. Angel Tineo earned two walks. Michael Mateo picked up an RBI.

On the mound for Monroe, Adrian Hernandez had a strong collegiate debut as he struck out seven batters and gave up just one earned run in five innings of relief.

In the third game on Sunday, Adrian Nunez tripled and crossed home plate for Monroe. Sanchez added another run batted in. Andino produced his second double of the weekend. Aquino singled, walked, and stole a base. Herrera reached with a single and stole two bases, while Tineo picked up a base on balls.

Monroe – Bronx will battle Bergen Community College on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch at Paramus Baseball Field, out in New Jersey, is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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, 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).