WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y., March 23, 2019 – A pair of first-inning blasts set the tone for a big offensive day for the Monroe College Mustangs baseball team, as the Mustangs defeated Dutchess Community College by a score of 11-1 after five innings on Saturday at Dutchess Stadium. The Mustangs improve to 10-14 with the win and push their winning streak to six games, while the Falcons drop to 2-2 on the season.
 
Jose Martinez slammed the first pitch of the game over the wall in center field to give the Mustangs a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Two batters later, Daniel Alfonzo sent a long ball over the wall in left to make it a 2-0 game. Joseph Encarnacion then doubled to left, and Neifi Mercedes followed two batters later with a double of his own to score Encarnacion and make it a 3-0 lead for Monroe. Joe Rosselli followed with the third double of the inning for the Mustangs to score Mercedes, and then a single by Iasid Bernal brought in Rosselli to lead the Mustangs up, 5-0.
 
The Mustangs were not done there, as they expanded upon their lead in the top of the second. Martinez led off with a double to left, and then Gustavo Gonzalez beat out an infield single to put runners on the corners. Alfonzo then doubled to left, scoring both runners to make it a 7-0 game. Encarnacion reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second, and Freddy Rojas Jr. followed with an infield single to once again put runners on first and third. Mercedes doubled to left, scoring Encarnacion to put Monroe up by eight. Rosselli then brought in Rojas with a groundout to short, leaving the Mustangs ahead, 9-0.
 
The Mustangs once again added to their advantage in the third. Martinez singled with one away, and then Gonzalez doubled to put both runners in scoring position. Alfonzo hit a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Martinez to give the Mustangs a 10-0 lead. Gonzalez then scored on a passed ball to make it an 11-0 game. The Falcons managed to score a run in the bottom of the third, but that was all the Mustangs allowed in the game, eventually forcing a run-rule finish with a 10-run lead after five innings.
 
Andrew Pena made a strong start for Monroe, tossing three innings and allowing just one run on two hits, but he did not go long enough to earn a decision. Scott Matthews picked up the win in relief after striking out two batters without allowing a baserunner in the fourth. Jorge Gonzalez pitched the fifth for Monroe and also struck out two batters without allowing a run. Dutchess starter Robert Fratarcangeli took the loss to fall to 0-1.
 
The Mustangs had a number of big games in Saturday's win. Martinez finished 3-for-4 with three runs and an RBI, falling a triple short of the cycle. Alfonzo fell a single short of the cycle, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs and a run. Mercedes batted 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a run and a pair of two-baggers. Encarnacion went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored. Rosselli knocked in two after going 1-for-3 with a double, also scoring a run in the win. Gonzalez scored twice after going 2-for-4 with a double. Rojas finished 1-for-3 with a run scored, while Bernal went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Manrique Mora hit 1-for-3 in the game.
 
The Mustangs get back to work on Sunday, March 24, when they visit Rowan College of Gloucester County in Sewell, N.J. for a doubleheader with the Roadrunners. Game 1 is set 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).