GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., May 27, 2018 – The Monroe College Mustangs dropped their Alpine Bank JUCO World Series opener to the San Jacinto-North College Gators, 9-0, in a run-rule shortened seven innings at Sam Suplizio Field on Sunday.
 
Antonio Frias and Devon Roedahl battled back and forth for the Mustangs and Gators, each twirling shutouts through four innings. Frias worked around base runners in each of the first four innings, striking out seven through four.
 
In the fifth though, Frias ran into some trouble, as walk, hit-by-pitch and an infield single loaded the bases for Tyriece Silas. Down 0-1, Silas laced a single up the middle, scoring two, and another run came home for the Gators on a throwing error to give San Jacinto a 3-0 lead.
 
Another infield single and a double to center brought home two more runs for the Gators, before Frias finished off the side with two strikeouts, stranding a runner to keep the lead at 5-0.
 
After Roedahl worked around a leadoff single by Kevin Garcia, the Gators extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run home run off the bat of Matt Goodheart, ending Frias' day. Frias struck out 10 over 5.1 innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) on eight hits.
 
Luis Grullart relived Frias with one down in the sixth, but two walks and a single by Jacob Matheny made it a 9-0 before Grullart struck out Herbert Isner to end the inning.
 
But Roedahl again set the Mustangs down in order in the top of the seventh, to finish off a 9-0, run-rule victory for the Gators. Frias took the loss for the Mustangs, while Roedahl earned the win for San Jacinto.
 
Garcia and Edwin Feliciano Jr. led the Mustangs at the plate, each going 1-for-2 with a single.
 
With the loss, the Mustangs advance into the loser's bracket and will face the loser of Game 8: Jefferson (MO) vs. Walters State (TN) on Tuesday, May 29 at 1:00 pm EST.
 
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).