RANDOLPH, N.J., March 20, 2019 – The Monroe College Mustangs baseball team fell into a big hole on Wednesday when the County College of Morris took a 12-5 lead in the fifth inning. The Mustangs then erased the deficit, scoring 10 unanswered runs to claim a 15-12 comeback victory over the Titans on the road. The Mustangs improve to 9-14 overall with the win, their fifth in a row, while the Titans drop to 9-5.
 
The Mustangs got on the board first on Wednesday. In the top of the first inning, Daniel Alfonzo and Adner Mercado drew a pair of two-out walks before Freddy Rojas Jr. smacked a double to left, scoring both runners to give Monroe an early 2-0 lead.
 
The lead did not last long, as the Titans doubled up the Mustangs in their first at bat of the day. A wild pitch brought in the first run before a three-run homer by Nate Miller put the home team ahead, 4-2.
 
The Titans added to their lead in the bottom of the third when Ryan Casey hit a two-out double down the left-field line, scoring a runner from second to make it a 5-2 game.
 
The Titans made it a 6-2 game in the bottom of the fourth when a balk with the bases loaded plated Kyle Bargfrede to give the home team a four-run advantage.
 
The Mustangs began to chip away in the top of the fifth. Monroe loaded the bases, setting up Joe Rosselli for a bases-clearing double to center, cutting the deficit to just one run.
 
Morris was able to take advantage of some Mustang miscues in the bottom of the fifth to take a big lead. A walk, a single and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases for the Titans, and then back-to-back walks brought in two more runs to give Morris an 8-5 lead. An error then brought in another run, followed by a sacrifice fly by Vincent DiNicola made it a 10-5 game. Patrick O'Hare hit a two-out double to right, scoring two more runs to leave the Titans ahead, 12-5.
 
The Mustangs made their epic comeback in the top of the seventh frame. Rojas singled with one out, followed by another single by Leandy Castro. Rosselli then doubled to center once again, scoring Rojas to get within six. With two down, Chris Javier was hit by a pitch to keep the inning going. Gustavo Gonzalez then slammed a double to center, clearing the bases for three RBIs and getting the Mustangs back within three. Joseph Encarnacion then managed to reach on an error that brought Gonzalez in to score and make it a two-run game. Alfonzo followed with a two-run blast over the left-field fence, tying the game at 12-12.
 
The Mustangs carried that momentum into the top of the eighth. Rojas walked to start the inning, then Castro beat out a single to short. Rosselli then sacrificed both runners into scoring position, which paid off when Iasid Bernal hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Rojas to put the Mustangs ahead, 13-12. Manrique Mora followed with a single to left in his first trip to the plate in the game, plating Castro to put the Mustangs up by two.
 
The Mustangs got some added insurance in the top of the ninth when Encarnacion hit a leadoff homer to left, giving Monroe a 15-12 advantage.
 
Anthony Rodriguez earned the win in relief after tossing 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out six batters to improve to 1-1 on the year. Nathan Presbot came in with two runners on to register the final out and earn his first save of the season. Jared Vuz took the loss for the Titans after allowing the Mustangs' final three runs of the day.
 
Rosselli finished 2-for-3 with two doubles, four RBIs and a run. Gonzalez knocked in three runs and scored once himself after going 2-for-6 with a double. Alfonzo went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and three runs scored. Encarnacion hit a solo homer in a 2-for-5 effort, scoring two runs with an RBI. Castro batted 2-for-2 after taking over in the fifth inning, scoring twice in the win. Javier went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Rojas finished 2-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and two runs. Mercado batted 1-for-5 and scored twice. Bernal went 0-for-4, but he made his chances count by knocking in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
 
With another win in the book, the Mustangs will look to keep their hot streak going on Sunday, March 24, when they visit Rowan College of Gloucester County in Sewell, N.J. for a doubleheader. Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 12 p.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 varsity and junior varsity 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).