FLEMINGTON, N.J. – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team dropped its game to nationally ranked No. 1 and defending three-time National Champion Rowan College South Jersey – Gloucester, 25-12, at Diamond Nation on Wednesday afternoon.

Monroe (0-4) had an early 8-2 lead, but the Roadrunners (2-1) stormed back to win the game.

The Blue and Gold showed strong patience at the plate during the afternoon, working 15 walks. The Express were also aggressive on the basepaths, stealing eight bases. 

Monroe trailed 2-1 heading to the top of the third but exploded for seven runs to take an 8-2 advantage. The big play in the inning was a two-run single off the bat of Elijah Andino that made it 5-2 early in the frame.

Trailing by six in the bottom of the third, the Roadrunners showed why they won three national championships in a row, as the home team scored four runs to pull to within two. 

Monroe answered back in the top of the fourth. With a runner on first and nobody out, Anthony Sanchez stepped up to the plate drilled a two-run homer to left which extended the Blue and Gold's lead to 10-6.

RCSJ – Gloucester's bats broke out in the home half of the fourth, scoring 12 runs in the frame. It began with a two-run homer by Nick Slogik and then capped off by a grand slam courtesy of Calen Delaney to put Monroe in an 18-10 hole. 

Slogik added another two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth that padded the Roadrunners' cushion to 23-11 on their way to the 25-12 victory.

Brevin Bezick earned the win on the mound for the Roadrunners. Brylyn Mateo took the loss for Monroe.

Sanchez drove in three runs, scored just as many times, earned three walks, and stole a pair of bases for the Express during the afternoon. Andino, Derek Lebron, Pablo Aquino, Devyn Rolle, and Juan Carlos Salcedo each produced a single for Monroe – Bronx. Joshua Osorio lined a double. Adrian Nunez reached base by taking four pitches out of the zone three times and scored twice. Aquino earned three stolen bases and came around to score on two occasions.

Monroe – Bronx will continue to play in New Jersey on Monday as the Express will take on NJCAA Division II County College of Morris. First pitch at CCM Baseball Field is set for 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).