VALHALLA, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx softball team won both its games over the Westchester Community College Club team, at West Field, on Thursday afternoon, April 9. The scores were 17-3 and 26-4.
The Express (3-21) came storming out of the gate in the opening inning of Game 1, scoring eight runs to take a commanding lead. The key plays during Monroe's productive frame were a two-run single by
Melissa Martinez and a run-scoring base hit off the bat of
Ebony Hernandez.
Karla Recio Rodriguez,
Nevaeh Feliciano, and
Taina Nieves each drew a walk with the bases loaded.
Rossel Hercules was credited with an RBI sacrifice fly during the inning.
Monroe scored five more runs in the top of the second, thanks to a two-run double by Nieves, another sacrifice fly by Hercules, and a two-run single courtesy of Rodriguez.
In the top of the third, Nieves produced an RBI single and then
Tiara Desanto drove in two runs with a double to pad the Express' cushion to 16-0.
After the Vikings (0-4) scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, Rodriguez delivered an RBI single in the top of the fifth to make it 17-1 in favor of Monroe.
The Westchester Community College Club team scores two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but it was not enough as the Express earned the win in Game 1, 17-3.
Hernandez went 2-for-4, including a double, and scored two runs during the contest for Monroe. Hercules doubled and scored three runs. Rodriguez drove in four runs and produced two hits, including a double. Nieves also drove in four runs, while scoring three times, and adding two hits. Feliciano scored three runs and lined two hits, with one of them being a double.
Brianny Estepan walked and crossed home plate two times.
Jayda Delgado singled and scored. Martinez worked a walk, stole a base, and scored.
Michelle Cortes Molina,
Leslie Ramirez, and
Bryanna Betances each earned a base on balls.
In the circle for Monroe, Estepan earned the win as she struck out five batters and gave up no hits in three innings pitched. She surrendered two runs and walked one batter.
Kimberly Coste fanned five hitters, gave up two walks, allowed one hit, and surrendered one run in two innings of work.
In Game 2, Monroe scored five runs in the first inning. The key play was an RBI single by Feliciano that made it 5-0 in favor of the Express. During that play, she advanced to second on a throwing error by the opposing left fielder and came all the way around to score, in addition to the two runners in front of her.
The Vikings got one run back in the bottom of the first.
The Express' bats delivered eight runs in the top of the second. Desanto started it off with a two-run single. Rodriguez continued it with an RBI base hit. Nieves drilled a two-run double, and then Hercules drove in two runs on a single which made it 13-1 in favor of the Blue and Gold.
Westchester Club scored two runs in the home half of the second.
In the top of the third, Martinez produced an RBI single that sparked a two-run frame for the Express.
Monroe - Bronx tacked on seven more runs in the top of the fourth. The key plays were RBI singles from Molina, Ramirez, and
Suki "Ren" Reyes. The Express took a commanding 22-1 hold.
In the top of the fifth, Ramirez delivered with an RBI single, while Reyes drove in two runs on a base hit. Reyes' productive hit inflated the Blue and Gold's benefit to 26-3.
The Vikings added a run in the home half of the fifth, but Monroe was able to close it out to earn the sweep.
In Game 2, Hernandez worked three walks and scored a pair of runs for the Express. Hercules went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple, two runs batted in, three stolen bases, and a trio of runs scored. Estepan doubled, crossed home plate four times, and drew two walks. Nieves drove in three runs, scored twice, earned a base on balls, and swiped a bag. Feliciano walked and scored on two occasions. Molina stole a base and came around to score two times. Delgado walked a duo of times and scored, while Ramirez crossed home plate twice and reached base via a walk. Betances walked and scored. Reyes went 2-for-3 and picked up three RBIs.
Heather Torres walked, stole a base, and came around to score.
Coste got the win for Monroe in the circle as she struck out two batters, gave up no runs, did not allow a hit, and walked just one batter in an inning pitched out of the bullpen. Rodriguez was credited with the save as she went three innings, gave up just one run (none earned), walked five batters, did not allow one hit, and struck out three batters.
Darlene Pena Puente started the game and struck out two batters in an inning pitched. She gave up one earned run (three overall), one hit, and walked four batters.
"We are so excited to have picked up our first sweep of the season and are looking forward to using this momentum to take us through the rest of the season," Express Head Coach
Lauren Farina said.
Monroe will battle Bucks County Community College in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11. First pitch at Centurion Softball Field 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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