MARTINSVILLE, Va., February 9, 2019 – The new season got off to a rough start for the Monroe College Mustangs baseball team, as the Mustangs dropped their first two contests of the season to Patrick Henry Community College Saturday afternoon at Hooker Field. The Mustangs will start the season 0-2 overall, while Patrick Henry improves to 2-3.
 
GAME 1: PATRICK HENRY 4, #14 MONROE 3
The Mustangs strung together a two-out rally in the top of the second to score their first runs of the new season. Iasid Bernal was hit by a pitch to keep the inning going, and then DJ Gatz drew a walk. Gustavo Gonzalez smacked a double to center, scoring both runners to make it a 2-0 Mustang lead.
 
The Mustangs ran into some trouble in the bottom of the third. After a pair of walks to start the inning, the Patriots attempted a double steal that resulted in an errant throw by the catcher, allowing a run to score for the home team. The Patriots attempted to steal third shortly after, and another error on the throw led to another run scoring for the Patriots, tying the game at 2-2 after three.
 
The Mustangs got back on the board in the top of the fifth to retake the lead. Neifi Mercedes reached on an error by the shortstop to lead off the inning, and subsequently stole second base. With one out, Adner Mercado singled up the middle, allowing Mercedes to score and give the Mustangs a 3-2 advantage in the fifth.
 
Things took a turn for the worst in the bottom of the seventh for the Mustangs. The first two batters drew walks, and then Clayton Nestor singled on a bunt to first to load the bases with nobody out. Jacknell Guzman then came in to pitch, striking out his first batter to keep the inning going. Charlie Varriano then singled to the left side for the Patriots to bring in the winning run in walk-off fashion.
 
Bradley Hanner earned the complete-game victory for Patrick Henry, allowing three runs (two earned) across seven frames to improve to 1-1. Anthony Rodriguez shouldered his first loss for the Mustangs after yielding two runs in the seventh.
 
Gonzalez batted 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in the Mustangs' first game of the season. Adner Mercado reached base three times, going 1-for-1 with an RBI single, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Mercedes, Bernal and Gatz each scored a run in the game. Joseph Encarnacion finished 1-for-3.
 
GAME 2: PATRICK HENRY 10, MONROE 0 (5 INN)
The Patriots got the scoring started in the bottom of the third when a bases-loaded single to right, with an additional pair of errors, brought in three runs for the home team. A wild pitch then allowed another run to score, giving Patrick Henry a 4-0 lead after three frames.
 
With runners on second and third in the bottom of the fourth, a fielder's choice allowed another run to score and make it a 5-0 game.
 
Three hits and a hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the fifth helped the Patriots walk off with a 10-run mercy rule after five more runs in the fifth.
 
Matt Holler got the complete-game win for the Patriots after five scoreless frames to improve to 1-1. Patrick Morrissey shouldered his first loss after allowing five runs (four earned) in two innings of work.
 
Manrique Mora went 2-for-2 with a double in his debut for the Mustangs. Mercedes batted 1-for-2 in the loss.
 
The Mustangs will look to bounce back tomorrow, Feb. 10, when they take on Patrick Henry in another doubleheader in Virginia. Game 1 is set to begin at 11 a.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 27 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus as of the fall of 2017, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
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).