WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y., May 18, 2018 – Antonio Frias tossed his best game of the season at exactly the right time, picking up a complete-game shutout against USC Sumter in the winner's bracket of the 2018 NJCAA Div. I Eastern District Baseball Championships on Friday, sending Monroe to the championship with a 2-0 win at Dutchess Stadium. The Mustangs are now in the driver's seat in the double-elimination tournament, and will play ASA College after the Avengers defeated USC Sumter to eliminate the Fire Ants from the tournament.
 
With one out in the top of the third, Marquis Orozco drew a walk for the Mustangs to get things going. Gustavo Gonzalez then singled into right, and Iasid Bernal followed with a walk to load the bases. Shadrach Meulens then came through with a single through the left side, scoring Orozco and Gonzalez to leave the Mustangs up, 2-0. That proved to be all the Mustangs would need, as they went on to claim a two-run victory.
 
Frias was nothing short of brilliant in Friday's win, going the complete nine innings without allowing a run to improve to 8-0 on the season. He allowed just two hits and tied the Mustangs' season-high of 16 strikeouts, set just yesterday by Francisco Justo in Monroe's first-round win over Harford Community College. USC Sumter starter Lindsey Robinson fell to 4-6 after allowing two runs in 6.1 frames.
 
Shadrach Meulens did all of the Mustangs' damage on Friday, going 2-for-4 with a two-RBI single to lift Monroe to victory. Gonzalez batted 1-for-4 with a run scored, while Bernal and Edwin Feliciano Jr. each finished 1-for-3.
 
The Mustangs advance to Sunday's rescheduled championship, where they need to win just one game to claim the 2018 Eastern District Title. They will take on ASA, who would have to defeat Monroe twice on Sunday to win the championship. ASA defeated USC Sumter, 6-3, to advance to Sunday's championship. First pitch on Sunday is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m., with Game 7 of the tournament slated for 5:30 p.m. should it be necessary.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's rugby, and the newly added club women's rugby team, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level as of the fall of 2017.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe College Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).