WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, N.J., March 31, 2019 – The Monroe College Mustangs baseball team took 1-of-2 from Mercer County Community College in a road doubleheader on Saturday. The Vikings picked up a 3-0 win in Game 1, but the Mustangs bounced back for an 8-4 victory in the day's finale. Monroe moves to 12-18 overall with the split, while Mercer County goes to 17-6 on the year.
 
GAME 1: MERCER COUNTY 3, MONROE 0
The Vikings did all of their scoring in the second and third innings in Game 1. After Nick Mancuso hit a two-out single in the second, Greg Delgado reached on an error that allowed Mancuso to score and make it a 1-0 game.
 
In the third, the Vikings had the bases loaded for Collin Sheehan, who hit a double to right to plate two runs and leave Mercer County up, 3-0.
 
July Sosa allowed just two earned runs in five frames, but still shouldered the loss to fall to 2-2 on the season. Eric Cartafalsa picked up the win for the Vikings to improve to 4-0, while Dan Boehmer notched his first save.
 
Gustavo Gonzalez batted 1-for-2 in the game for the Mustangs. Freddy Rojas Jr. and Neifi Mercedes each went 1-for-3.
 
GAME 2: MONROE 8, MERCER COUNTY 4
It was a different story for the Mustangs in Game 2, as they found their rhythm in the second inning. Mercedes drew a walk with one out, and then Joe Rosselli reached on an error that put two runners into scoring position. Leandy Castro then beat out a grounder to short, allowing Mercedes to score for a 1-0 lead. Castro then stole second, and the throw to get him got away, letting Rosselli score to make it a 2-0 game. Two batters later, Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Castro home to score to leave the Mustangs up, 3-0.
 
The Mustangs had runners on first and second in the top of the third for Castro, who came through once again with a single to center, plating Mercedes to push Monroe's lead to four.
 
The Vikings managed to cut the deficit in half in the home half of the third. Chris Cote hit a two-out single to left, scoring Domenic Boselli from second to get the Vikings within three. Joe Shannon then singled to right, bringing in Mancuso to make it a 4-2 game.
 
Mercer County looked to take control of the game in the bottom of the fourth frame. With runners on the corners, Sheehan singled into right, scoring Matt Shenot to get the home team within a run. Mancuso then reached on an error that brought in Mark Saponaro, tying the game at 4-4.
 
Rojas led off the top of the fifth with a single, and was then sacrificed over to second by Mercedes. Rosselli drew a walk, and then with two outs, a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Manrique Mora then reached on an error by the third baseman, bringing in both runners to make it a 6-4 ballgame in favor of the Mustangs.
 
The Mustangs put runners on second and third for Rojas in the sixth. Rojas came through with a two-RBI single to right, scoring Daniel Alfonzo and Thomas Drouin to push the Mustang lead to 8-4.
 
Brandon Backman earned the win for the Mustangs to improve to 4-2 on the season. He went five innings, allowing just three earned runs while striking out four. Jacknell Guzman picked up the save with 1.1 innings in relief without allowing a base runner. Dave Stec took the loss in relief for the Vikings to fall to 1-1.
 
Rojas and Castro both finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored in the win. Rosselli went 1-for-3 with two runs. Alfonzo batted 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Mercedes scored twice in the win despite going 0-for-2.
 
The Mustangs will kick off a new week on Tuesday, April 2, when they visit Nassau Community College in Garden City, N.Y. for a single game against the Lions. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Mustangs will then take on Region XV rival ASA College in a five-game series in New Rochelle beginning on Thursday, April 4.
 
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).