EDISON, N.J. – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team split the two games of its doubleheader to Middlesex College on Saturday afternoon. The Express won the first contest, 14-10, but lost the second end of the twin bill by a 7-5 score. The two games were played at Middlesex Stadium.

In the opening game, Monroe (4-7) scored four runs in the opening frame to take a 4-0 advantage. The highlights in the inning were an RBI single by Elijah Andino, a run-scoring base hit courtesy of Adrian Nunez, and a two-run triple off the bat of Juan Carlos Salcedo.

In the top of the second, the Express added five more runs to pad their lead to 9-0. The key plays of the Blue and Gold's productive stanza were a two-run homer off the bat of Pablo Aquino and yet another two-run triple courtesy of Salcedo.

The Express took a 10-2 hold into the top of the sixth. With one out, Joshua Osorio crushed a solo home run to center to extend the Blue and Gold's lead to 11-3. After a single by Nunez and then a double off the bat of Salcedo, Ramses Gonzalez stepped up to the plate and drilled a double to center to score both runners and inflate Monroe's cushion to 13-3.

The Colts (9-4) did not go down quietly as the home team scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to slice Monroe's lead to 13-7.

In the top of the seventh, Osorio got the Express back on track with an RBI single to extend Monroe- Bronx's benefit to 14-7.

Middlesex made the game interesting in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three runs to shrink Monroe's lead to 14-10. The Colts had a runner on second and two outs. Railyn Uceta was able to get the opposing hitter to line out to Nunez in center to allow the Express to hang on and win Game 1, 14-10.

The Express tallied 17 hits and drew seven walks in the opening contest. Salcedo went 3-for-5 with three extra-base hits and drove in four runs during the first game. Andino, Nunez, Aquino, Derek Lebron, and Robert Herrera each provided multiple hits for Monroe. Aquino worked two walks. The Express stole four bases during the first game. 

On the mound, Yevian Delgado earned his first victory of the season for Monroe as he tossed five innings, allowing six hits and three runs, while striking out five batters and walking two. 

Connor Levine took the loss for Middlesex. 

In Game 2, the Express outhit the Colts, 9-5. Monroe – Bronx had an early 2-1 lead, but Middlesex scored six runs in the bottom of the third to snatch a 6-2 advantage. 

Monroe fought back in the top of the fourth as Devyn Rolle belted a two-run homer to pull the Express to within 7-4. 

After that, each team was held scoreless until the top of the seventh. With one out, Aquino drilled a triple to center. He eventually scored on an RBI infield single courtesy of Herrera. 

Two batter later, Andino stepped up to the plate with two outs and lined a double to advance Herrera to third. Monroe had the tying runs on base and the go-ahead run at the plate. However, Middlesex was able to record the final out to clinch the victory and a split in the doubleheader.

For the Express, Rolle went 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Andino, Herrera, Rolle, and Salcedo each collected two hits. David Echavarria worked two walks. The Express stole three bases during the contest.

Drew Lukachyk earned the win on the mound for Middlesex as he went five innings, struck out four batters, gave up five hits, walked two batters, and allowed four runs. 

Brylyn Mateo took the loss for the Express.

Monroe – Bronx will open Region 15 play on Tuesday against Bronx Community College. It will be a home game for the Express but it will be played at Ohio Field (Bronx CC Campus) beginning at 3:30 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).