NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – It was a historic day for the Monroe University – Bronx baseball team, on Thursday afternoon, as Adrian Hernandez tossed a no-hitter in the first start of his collegiate career to help the Express win their Region 15 opener over Bronx Community College. The final score was 10-0 and the game took place at Flowers Park.

Hernandez pitched a complete game, as he went six innings without giving up a hit, gave up just three walks, and fanned five hitters to earn the shutout victory. 

It's an impressive feat for Hernandez especially since the Broncos (2-2, 2-1 Region 15) scored 29 runs in Game 1 and 15 runs in Game 2 of its previous regional doubleheader against Borough of Manhattan Community College this past Friday. The Broncos were averaging 17.3 runs per game this season heading into today's contest.

"I am very proud of myself for going out there and performing," Hernandez said. "I am also proud of my teammates for supporting me throughout the whole game, hitting and scoring. That's how I feel about today's win against a pretty good BCC team. I am glad we came out on top."

It marked Monroe's first no-hitter since Adrian Quezada did it on April 23, 2024, against the same Bronx CC program at Ohio Field. 

In the Express-Broncos game on Thursday, the game was scoreless heading to the bottom of the second. Monroe (5-7, 1-0 Region 15) had a runner on third and one out. Anthony Sanchez hit the ball deep down the left field line in foul territory and it was caught by the third baseman Lexon Rondon of Bronx. Juan Carlos Salcedo tagged up and scored to give Monroe a 1-0 edge.

In the bottom of the third, Robert Herrera stepped up to the plate with one out. He was hit by a pitch and then stole second. Joshua Osorio came up and he slapped a single to left which scored Herrera and extended the Blue and Gold's lead to 2-0.

On the mound for Monroe, Hernandez retired the first nine batters he faced in the game. He ran into some trouble in the top of the fourth as the leadoff hitter reached via a dropped fly ball in center and went to second. He tried to steal third but was thrown out. However, two walks during the frame set Bronx up with runners on first and second, two outs. The next hitter lined the ball off Hernandez, but it deflected to second. Derek Lebron picked up the ball and threw to first for the third out and keep Hernandez's no-hitter and shutout going.

In the bottom of the fourth, The Express had runners at second and third, one out. Lebron lined a single up the middle to score two and inflate Monroe's benefit to 4-0. Osorio and Elijah Andino each produced an RBI single which totaled the Blue and Gold's surplus to six runs.

Hernandez produced two more scoreless frames for Monroe – Bronx.

In the bottom of the sixth, Andino picked up an RBI on a groundout which scored Pablo Aquino from third. The next batter, Adrian Nunez, came up with two outs and he drilled a double which scored Osorio to pad the home team's cushion to 8-0. Nunez winded up at third on a fielding error and then scored on a wild pitch for Monroe's ninth run. Abraham Joaquin Taveras stepped into the batter's box and hit the ball to third. The third baseman committed a throwing error which scored Salcedo from third for the 10^th run and a 10-0 mercy-rule victory for Monroe – Bronx.

For the Express, Osorio went 3-for-3, provided two RBIs, and tallied seven putouts. Salcedo scored three times and singled. Aquino scored twice and worked a pair of walks. Monroe produced nine hits, stole six bases, and earned five walks as a team. 

Abel Acosta Vasquez started the game for Bronx and took the loss.

These two teams will play each other again on Saturday. This time, it will be a doubleheader at Ohio Field on the Bronx Community College campus. First pitch of Game 1 is set for noon, and the second game will begin at approximately 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).