POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team concluded its season with a loss in the deciding Game 3 of the Region 15 First-Round Series to Dutchess Community College. The final score was 9-7. The contest took place at Dutchess Softball Field.
The #2-seed Falcons earn a berth in the Region 15 Championship Series and will battle top-seeded Suffolk County Community College, at Brentwood Field, in a best-of-three format on Saturday and potentially on Sunday.
In Game 3 of the regional first-round series, the #3-seed Express (7-30) fell behind 2-0 in the bottom of the first thanks to an RBI double by Sarah White and a run-scoring single courtesy of Kayla Baez.
The Falcons (13-7) tacked on another run in the bottom of the second to put Monroe in a three-run hole.
The Express' bats broke out in the top of the third as an RBI single by
Tiara Desanto and then a run-scoring base hit by
Kimora Thompson narrowed Monroe's deficit to 3-2.
Dutchess extended its lead to 4-2 in the bottom frame.
Each team went scoreless in the fourth.
Monroe's bats came back to life in the top of the fifth, scoring five runs in the stanza. It all started with runners on first and second, one out.
Karla Recio Rodriguez drilled a double to right which scored Desanto from second.
Nevaeh Feliciano followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Thompson which tied the game at four.
Up next was
Ebony Hernandez who lined a two-run homer to left center which gave Monroe a 6-4 advantage. It marked Hernandez's fifth round-tripper of the year.
Melissa Martinez stepped up to the plate, with a runner on first, and slapped a single to right. The ball went through the right fielder's legs which allowed
Rossel Hercules to come around and score to extend the Blue and Gold's lead to 7-4.
Taina Nieves came up to bat and bunted the ball towards second for a hit. Martinez advanced to second but was thrown out trying to advance to third, which allowed Dutchess to escape the inning without further damage.
Baez led it off for Dutchess in the bottom of the fifth and drilled the ball over the wall in center field for her seventh home run of the year which shrunk the Express' advantage to 7-5. The Falcons were then set up with runners on second and third, nobody out. Jeanine Villano hit a single to drive in a run. On that same play, she was one of two runners to score on a throwing error by the catcher which catapulted the Falcons back in front, 8-7, in a blink of an eye.
Martinez bounced back in the circle and got the next three hitters to pop up in the infield to escape further trouble.
Baez retired Monroe's batters in order in the top of the sixth.
In the bottom frame, Danielle Heady provided Dutchess with insurance by producing an RBI single to give the Falcons more breathing room at 9-7.
The Express' lineup was once again retired in order during the top of the seventh, which punched Dutchess' ticket to the Region 15 Championship Series where the Falcons will look to win their second straight regional title.
For the Express, Desanto went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a pair of runs scored. She also stole a base. Rodriguez went 2-for-4 and scored. Nieves went 2-for-3, stole a base, and came around to score. Thompson earned a base on balls.
In the circle, Martinez went 4 1/3 innings and took the loss for Monroe, giving up eight hits, six runs (five earned), and one walk. She struck out three batters.
Brianny Estepan went 2/3 of an inning and surrendered one hit with no runs and zero walks.
For Dutchess, Baez had an outstanding game as a pitcher and hitter. She struck out five batters in seven innings pitched to earn the complete-game victory. She gave up seven runs, 10 hits, and one walk. At the plate, she went 3-for-4, including her home run and double, plus scored three times.
The Monroe University – Bronx softball team will return to the field in March of 2027.
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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