MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., March 13, 2019 – After picking up its first win on Tuesday, the Monroe College Mustangs softball team rode that momentum into Wednesday's doubleheader against USC Sumter, sweeping the Fire Ants in the Mustangs' fourth day of play at the Ripken Experience. The Mustangs held on in Game 1 for a 4-3 victory, and then picked up a comeback, walkoff 4-3 win in Wednesday's finale. The Mustangs improve to 3-5 on the year, while the Fire Ants drop to 10-7-1.
 
GAME 1: MONROE 4, USC SUMTER 3
After two scoreless frames for both teams, the Fire Ants got on the board in the bottom of the third. Kristin Wemes singled on a bunt to lead off the inning, and then moved to second on a ground out. She was able to steal third during the next at bat, and then Emily Holmes hit a single to right, scoring Wemes to give USC Sumter a 1-0 lead.
 
The Mustangs responded with a big inning in the fourth. Chantel Winstead singled to lead off the inning, and then Kaylynn Lopez's bunt attempt resulted in both runners advancing safely. Marissa Vanduzer drew a walk to load the bases, but Samantha Mancillas hit a fielder's choice to third that got Winstead thrown out at home for the first out. Baudy Alba then came through with a triple to deep center field, clearing the bases to put the Mustangs up, 3-1. Macie Kuppenbender then bunted for a single, scoring Alba from third to make it a 4-1 game.
 
The Fire Ants got back in it in the bottom of the fifth with help from a Mustang error. USC Sumter put runners on second and third with two outs when an error on a ground ball allowed both runs to score, getting the Fire Ants back within a run at 4-3.
 
Kuppenbender earned the complete-game victory to improve to 2-4 on the season. She struck out seven batters in seven innings, allowing just one earned run. Sumter starter Megan Phillips shouldered the loss to fall to 4-2.
 
Alba finished 1-for-3 with her three-RBI triple in the fourth. Kuppenbender batted 2-for-3 with what proved to be the game-winning RBI. Winstead went 1-for-4 with a stolen base, while Anessa Quiroz batted 1-for-3.
 
GAME 2: MONROE 4, USC SUMTER 3
The Mustangs took the early advantage in the bottom of the second in Game 2. Abigail Cancilla got things started with a one-out single to center. A wild pitch put her on second, and then a single by Quiroz put runners on the corners. The Mustangs then sent the runner to second, where the shortstop cut the ball off and fired home to try and catch the advancing Cancilla. The throw got way, allowing Cancilla to score and give Monroe a quick 1-0 lead.
 
The Fire Ants put a runner on second with two outs in the top of the third, setting up Abigale Hudson for an RBI double, tying the game at 1-1.
 
USC Sumter loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth. Hailey Carter then hit an RBI fielder's choice to center, bringing in a run while the Mustangs were forced to settle for a force-out at second, giving the Fire Ants a 2-1 lead.
 
Sumter added to its lead in the top of the sixth after once again loading the bases with two down. Laurel Shaw singled toward second, plating Jayla Cowell to push the Fire Ants' lead to 2-1.
 
The Mustangs managed to rally in the bottom of the seventh. Megan Soto led off the inning with a single into left. Stacy Hernandez then pinch ran for her, and was able to advance all the way to third on a ground out by Quiroz, but the Mustangs were down to their final out. Kuppenbender then single to right, scoring Hernandez to get Monroe back within a run. Winstead followed with a line-drive single to center to keep things going. Kaylynn Lopez then delivered the final blow, a walkoff two-run triple to deep center to bring in both runners and give the Mustangs their third straight 4-3 victory and sweep of the Fire Ants.
 
Keira Matos picked up the win for the Mustangs in relief, tossing two innings and allowing just one run to improve to 1-1. Kuppenbender made the start and yielded just two runs across five frames. Sumter starter Alexis Lyles took the loss to fall to 2-1.
 
Lopez finished 2-for-4 with the game-winning two-RBI triple in the win. Mancillas batted 2-for-3 with a triple of her own. Winsted went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Kuppenbender helped herself out by going 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Cancilla scored a run after going 1-for-3. Soto and Quiroz also batted 1-for-3 in the win.
 
With three straight wins in the books for the Mustangs, they will look to make it four in a row on Thursday, March 14, when they take on Kishwaukee College in their second-to-last day in Myrtle Beach. The single game is set to begin at 9 a.m.
 
AB­OUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 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 nine 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).