The Monroe College baseball team's season got off to a promising start this past weekend in Myrtle Beach, SC. Winning the first five games by 8 or more runs, the Mustangs returned home with a very respectable overall record of 5 wins and 2 losses on their opening weekend of play.  

The Mustangs charge was led by an impressive offensive attack in which they scored a total of 70 runs in 7 games. Supported by great starting pitching, the team was able to execute on both sides of the diamond in order to achieve results. Head coach Luis Melendez expressed his pride in the level of focus and concentration demonstrated by his players: "The hitters adeptly executed our hitting philosophy, exhibited great plate discipline, and were aggressive when pitchers were in positions to have to throw a strike" he said.  "The Mustangs' pitching staff also impressed, allowing only 15 earned runs in 43 innings of play."

The offensive attack was highlighted by 10 players hitting over .400 for the trip including a great effort from sophomore Justin Morales, who went 9 for 15 with a double, 2 triples, a home run, and 8 RBI. Adding to the onslaught, sophomore Guillaume Gingras hit .434 with 5 doubles and 7 RBI, freshman Christopher Campbell hit 2 home runs and 6RBI, and sophomore Felipe Lopez hit .455 with 6 RBI.
On the mound, sophomore Alex Vargas made a notable contribution, with 5.1 innings of shutout baseball including 9 strikeouts while getting his first win of the season.  Freshmen Osvaldo Duran and Edwin Gonzalez, along with sophomores Jose Peralta and Alex Clavet, also dominated to secure their first wins of the season. Meanwhile, solid performances from sophomore Jonathan Mendoza and freshman Austin Rivera made the relief pitching integral to this past weekend's victories.

Overall, the trip was a positive experience for the Mustangs; moreover it left them energized and excited for what the rest of the season has in store.
The Mustangs' season continues next week, when they return to Myrtle Beach for another 7 games on Wednesday, March 18. See below for a recap of this past weekend's games:


 
Game 1                        Monroe 15       Westmoreland CC 1
Game 2                        Monroe 9         Coastal JV 1
Game 3                        Monroe 17       PSU Schuylkill 0
Game 4                        Monroe 10       Carl Sandburg CC 0
Game 5                        Monroe 12       New River CC 3
Game 6                        Monroe 3         NorthhamptonCC 4
Game 7                        Monroe 4         Middlesex CC 9