MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., March 14, 2019 – An early deficit was the difference on Thursday, as the Monroe College Mustangs softball team dropped a 4-1 decision to Kishwaukee College on the Mustangs' second-to-last day at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach. The Mustangs drop to 3-6 overall and see their three-game winning streak come to an end, while Kishwaukee improves to 2-3.
 
The Mustangs managed to grab the early lead with some small ball in the top of the first. Kaylynn Lopez led off with a walk, and then Keira Matos laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved the hustling Lopez all the way over to third. Samantha Mancillas then hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Lopez to give Monroe a 1-0 lead.
 
Hailey White led off the bottom of the first for the Kougars with a bunt single. She then stole second and moved to third on a ground out. Shaylee Clow followed with a single up the middle, scoring White to tie the game at 1-1. Alexis Gordon then single to center, and a fielder's choice by Larisa Smits put runners on the corners. Alexis Ramon singled into left, scoring Clow to give the Kougars a 2-1 edge.
 
Kishwaukee quickly added to its lead in the bottom of the second. Helena Porter led off with a double to left, and then moved to third on a ground out by Jessica Meyers. White then beat out an infield single that also brought in Porter from third, making it a 3-1 ballgame.
 
The Kougars added some insurance in the home half of the fifth. Gordon sent a fly ball to deep center, allowing her to touch all four bases for an inside-the-park solo homer, making it a 4-1 lead for the Kougars.
 
Smits picked up the win for Kishwaukee to improve to 2-1 on the season. Matos shouldered the loss to fall to 1-2. Macie Kuppenbender came on in relief, tossing four innings and allowing just one run.
 
Megan Soto and Kuppenbender both finished 2-for-3, with each hitting a double in the game. Anessa Quiroz hit 1-for-2, while Baudy Alba and Matos each went 1-for-3. Alexis Cruz went 1-for-1 after singling in a pinch-hit opportunity.
 
The Mustangs will look to close out their trip to South Carolina on the right note when they take on Spartanburg Methodist College in a doubleheader tomorrow, March 15. The Mustangs final doubleheader of the week will 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).