NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team dropped both ends of its region-opening doubleheader to nationally ranked No. 9 Suffolk County Community College, by scores of 16-3 and 24-5, at Flowers Park Softball Field on Wednesday evening.

The opening game was scoreless through the first two innings. 

In the top of the third, the Sharks (7-5, 2-0 Region 15) had runners on first and second, one out. Alyssa Muller stepped up to the plate and slapped a single to center, scoring two runs to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead. Suffolk County loaded the bases, but Brianny Estepan was able to get the Express (1-13, 0-2 Region 15) out of trouble by getting the opposing hitter to hit a fielder's choice back to the circle. Estepan threw to Rossel Hercules at the plate to get the force at home. Then, Hercules threw to Tiara Desanto to get another force-out and complete the double play. 

In the bottom of the third, Kimora Thompson came up with a runner on third and two outs. She drilled the ball down the left field line, and it went all the way to the wall. She rounded the bases for a two-run inside-the-park home run to tie the game at two.

In the bottom of the fourth, Heather Torres made an alert base-running play to cross home plate from third to give Monroe a 3-2 edge, just before the 8-1-6 flyball double play was completed to end the inning. Jayda Delgado was the one that hit the flyball and was credited with a sacrifice fly and an RBI on the play. 

The Sharks responded with four runs in the fifth, capped by a two-run inside-the-park homer courtesy of Caitlyn Wolfe which gave Suffolk County a 6-3 benefit. 

The Express surrendered four runs in the sixth and six more in the seventh, before falling by a 16-3 margin.

For the Sharks, Taylor Eggert hit a three-run inside-the-park home run. Evangelina Vargas also went deep. Brooke Mancuso lined a two-run inside-the-park round-tripper. Muller hit two home runs during the opening game.

In the circle, Eggert struck out 10 batters and gave up just one earned run in seven innings pitched to earn the complete-game victory.

For the Express, Nevaeh Feliciano went 2-for-2 and drew a walk. Desanto singled, scored a run, and took four pitches out of the zone during one of her appearances in the batter's box. Estepan singled at the plate and took the loss in the circle. 

In Game 2, Suffolk County scored four runs in the top of the first to take a commanding hold before Monroe even had a chance to bat.

The Express got one of those runs back in the bottom of the first when Estepan picked up an RBI on a groundout.

Suffolk Country continued its hot hitting in the second as back-to-back inside-the-park home runs by Alexis Maggi and Mancuso highlighted an 11-run frame that put the game out of reach for Monroe – Bronx. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Karla Recio Rodriguez drilled a two-run double for the Express, but it was not enough as the Sharks went on to win Game 2, 24-5, and earn the two-game sweep in the Region 15 opener.

For Monroe – Bronx, Desanto singled, picked up an RBI, and scored a run. Valentina Arias reached base with a single and crossed home plate. Thompson scored twice, produced a base hit, and drove in a run. Feliciano singled and walked, while Delgado earned a base on balls. Michelle Cortes Molina also scored for Monroe.

In the circle, Melissa Martinez took the loss.

For Suffolk County, Maggi hit two home runs, scored four times, and drove in three runs. Wolfe scored three runs, tripled, drove in four runs, and had a pair of hits.

Breanna Viscusi earned the complete-game victory for Suffolk County by giving up just one earned run and striking out a pair of batters in five innings pitched.

Monroe – Bronx will continue play at Flowers Park on Sunday against Community College of Rhode Island. First pitch of the twin bill is set for noon.

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. 
 
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