SELDEN, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team split its two Region 15 games against Suffolk County Community College on Sunday afternoon. The Express lost the first game, 14-3, but then bounced back to win the second end of the twin bill, 4-3. The games took place at Middle Country Park.
The Express (22-10, 14-1 Region 15) lead both the Sharks (18-17, 12-3 Region 15) and the Lions of Nassau Community College (13-8, 12-3 Region 15) in the race for first place in the regional standings by two games. If Monroe wins at least one of the contests in its three-game series against Nassau this coming week, the Express will clinch the top seed in the upcoming Region 15 Postseason.
Monroe – Bronx won the regular-season series over defending Region 15 Champion Suffolk County, 2-1.
In Game 1, Monroe got on the board in the top of the second thanks to an RBI single off the bat of
Juan Carlos Salcedo to give the Blue and Gold a 1-0 lead. Suffolk County countered in the bottom frame as a run-scoring single by Brendan Murphy tied the game at one.
The Express regained the lead in the top of the third thanks to a sacrifice fly by
Adrian Nunez.
Unfortunately for Monroe, the bottom of the third was a struggle. The Sharks scored four runs in the frame thanks in part to three errors by the Blue and Gold's defense to propel the Sharks to a 5-2 advantage.
Suffolk County added two runs in the fourth and a run in the fifth to pad its cushion to 8-2.
Monroe got one run back in the top of the sixth thanks to an RBI single off the bat of
Joshua Osorio.
The Sharks finished the game off in the bottom of the sixth with six runs in the frame, capped by a game-clinching grand slam off the bat of Max Brewer to secure the opening-game victory for the defending regional champions.
For the Express,
Anthony Sanchez drilled a double and scored two runs. Osorio went 2-for-3.
Pablo Aquino stole a base and scored a run.
Devyn Rolle singled and swiped a bag.
Derek Lebron hit a single.
On the mound, Cole Johnson pitched a complete-game victory for the Sharks. He struck out five batters, gave up six hits, surrendered three runs, and did not allow a walk in six innings pitched.
Frangel Rodriguez started for Monroe and took the loss.
In Game 2, the Express got off to a strong start with two runs in the top of the first thanks to an RBI ground out by Salcedo and a sacrifice fly courtesy of Osorio.
Suffolk County got one of those runs back in the bottom frame thanks to an RBI single off the bat of Joe Leo.
Yevian Delgado settled in on the mound for the Express and pitched scoreless frames in the second and third.
Monroe extended its lead to 3-1 in the top of the fourth as
Juan Diaz lined an RBI single to give his team more breathing room.
In the home half of the fourth, Suffolk County inched closer thanks to a run-scoring single courtesy of Michael DiGuseppe to shrink the Express' edge to 3-2.
In the top of the fifth, Rolle stepped up to the plate with runners on first and second, two outs. He drilled the ball deep to center and it flew over the center fielder's head and dropped in front of the warning track for an RBI double to pad Monroe's benefit to 4-2.
Once again, Suffolk County got the game closer in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a run-scoring base hit by Leo to shrink Monroe's advantage to 4-3.
Luis Green retired the next two hitters to escape the jam without surrendering the tying run.
Green faced a runner on second and two outs situation in the bottom of the sixth. He got the opposing batter to ground out to first which allowed Monroe to enter the seventh inning still up 4-3.
In the bottom of the seventh, Sanchez entered the mound for Monroe. He retired all three batters, including a strikeout of the final batter looking, to clinch a crucial regional road win for the Express. It marked Sanchez's second save of the season.
"Tremendous job by the guys to bounce back after a Game 1 loss in the doubleheader," Express Head Coach
Bryan Diaz said.
For Monroe, Delgado earned the win on the mound as he struck out five batters in 4 1/3 innings pitched. He gave up five hits, three runs, and a trio of walks. Green pitched 1.2 innings shutout innings out of the bullpen, giving up two hits and walking zero batters.
In addition to his strong performance as the closer, Sanchez also made an impact at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double, two stolen bases, a walk, and a run scored. Aquino singled and scored. Andino went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Diaz went 2-for 3 with a double and crossed home plate. Salcedo scored a run, while
David Echavarria earned a base on balls.
For Suffolk County, Seth Kirschner started the game and took the loss. He allowed nine hits, four runs, and two walks. He struck out four batters in 4 2/3 innings pitched.
Monroe – Bronx will host Nassau Community College in a Region 15 game on Tuesday. First pitch at Flowers Park is set for 4 p.m. It will be sophomore day, and the Express will honor the players who will compete in the final home game of their JUCO careers with a ceremony prior to first pitch.
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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