NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx baseball team suffered a gut-wrenching loss in Region 15 play to Nassau Community College, 2-1 in 10 innings, at Flowers Park on Tuesday afternoon.
The Express' (22-11, 14-2 Region 15) lead for first place shrinks to just one game over Nassau (14-8, 13-3 Region 15) and Suffolk County Community College (19-17, 13-3 Region 15). Monroe needs one win during Saturday's doubleheader at Nassau clinch the top seed in the upcoming Region 15 Postseason.
Prior to Tuesday's game, Monroe – Bronx honored its sophomores in a ceremony.
The star for the Express during the contest against Nassau was starting pitcher
Adrian Hernandez. He tossed eight scoreless innings, gave up just four hits and two walks, while striking out six batters.
The game was deadlocked at zero heading to the bottom of the third.
Anthony Sanchez led it off with a single. He stole second and then swiped third. He ended up scoring on an RBI ground out by
Adrian Nunez to give Monroe a 1-0 edge.
The Express had an opportunity to extend their lead in the bottom of the sixth with runners on second and third, two outs.
Derek Lebron came up to the plate but popped up to second, allowing the Lions to escape the jam.
Hernandez faced minimal threats during his start and mowed down Nassau's lineup throughout the afternoon.
Monroe held a 1-0 benefit heading to the top of the ninth. Hernandez was replaced by
Railyn Uceta. Aidan Quinn led off the frame with a double and then Caiden Siegel singled to set up runners on the corners, nobody out.
Isaul Lara entered the game from the bullpen. Zaim Deljanin grounded out to short which allowed Quinn to score from third to tie the game at one. Lara got the next two hitters to fly out and strike out, respectively, to keep the game tied heading to the bottom of the ninth.
The Express' batters were retired in order, and a 10
th inning was needed.
The Lions were able to load the bases with only one out. Lara continued to battle as he got Sebastian Figueroa to ground the ball to the mound. Lara threw the ball to
Abraham Joaquin Taveras for the force out at home and the second out of the inning. Siegel stepped up to the plate and worked a walk to score Daniel Reynolds from third and give Nassau its first lead of the game at 2-1. Lara bounced back by getting Deljanin to strike out looking to escape the bases-loaded jam without more damage.
The Express' lineup could not get anything going in the bottom of the 10
th. With two outs, Nunez lined the ball to center, but it was caught by Patrick Sebber to clinch the regional win for Nassau in extra innings, 2-1.
Monroe's lineup only produced six hits during the afternoon and none of them were extra-base hits.
David Echavarria produced one of those hits and earned a walk.
Juan Carlos Salcedo,
Devyn Rolle, Taveras, and
Pablo Aquino also reached base via a single. Lebron worked a walk. The Express did not get a hitter to reach base in either of the final four innings of the afternoon.
On the mound, Lara battled hard in the ninth and 10
th but took the loss.
For Nassau, Chris Marano got the win in relief. He retired all six batters he faced to close out the game, including two strikeouts. Alex Darzano started the game for the Lions gave up just one run, six hits, and two walks in six innings. He fanned a pair of batters. Chris Stumpf got all six hitters he faced out, pitching the seventh and the eighth.
The Express and the Lions will have a rematch on Saturday. This time, it will be a twin bill at Nassau Baseball Field. First pitch of Game 1 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.
For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at
www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (
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