BEL AIR, Md., May 10, 2019 – The road back to Grand Junction got off to a grand start for the Monroe College Mustangs baseball team, which launched five home runs in its opening-round matchup against host, and top seed, Harford Community College, en route to a 14-2, run-rule victory at the Harford Sports Complex. Included in the five home runs was Daniel Alfonzo's ninth of the year, setting a new program single-season record in the process. The Mustangs advance to the winner's bracket of the tournament, while Harford now faces elimination.
 
Harford's first two batters reached base in the top of the first, and a defensive miscue by the Mustangs helped the Fighting Owls take a quick lead. Reyce Curnane beat out an infield single to lead off the game. Spencer Smith then singled into the right-center gap, where the ball caromed off the right fielder, allowing Curnane to score to give Harford the early edge.
 
The Mustangs bounced right back in the bottom of the first, beginning with a leadoff double down the left-field line by Gustavo Gonzalez. Alfonzo drew a walk with one out, and then Joseph Encarnacion ripped a double into the left-center gap to score Gonzalez and tie the game. Leandy Castro then blasted a three-run homer over the monster in left field, putting the Mustangs on top, 4-1.
 
Iasid Bernal and Neifi Mercedes both followed with singles, then Adner Mercado drew a walk to load the bases with just one out in the first. A fielder's choice prevented a runner from coming home, but Gonzalez ripped a two-out, two-RBI single into left, pushing the lead to 6-1 and chasing Harford's starter from the game. Freddy Rojas Jr. then launched a three-run homer to right-center, making it a 9-1 game. Alfonzo then capped off the inning going back-to-back with Rojas, setting the Mustangs single-season home run record with his ninth of the year and leaving Monroe on top, 10-1.
 
After Mercedes was hit by a pitch with two outs in the bottom of the second, Mercado sent a long fly ball over the wall in right field for a two-run homer, putting the Mustangs ahead, 12-1.
 
The Fighting Owls got one back in the top of the third after having a runner on third with two outs. Matthew Shilling hit a grounder up the middle that was misplayed, allowing Nolan Charlton to score and make it a 12-2 game.
 
Rojas reached base on a one-out walk in the bottom of the third, and later moved to second on a wild pitch. Encarnacion then ripped a single through the left side, scoring Rojas to push Monroe's lead to 13-2.
 
Bernal led off the fourth with a long line drive to right, getting it just over the wall for his first homer of the season, putting the Mustangs ahead, 14-2.
 
July Sosa went the complete five frames, allowing no earned runs while striking out 11 batters to improve to 6-2 on the season. Mike Taylor took the loss for the Fighting Owls to drop to 7-2.
 
Alfonzo batted 1-for-2 with two runs, an RBI and his record-setting ninth homer of the year. Rojas finished 1-for-3 with a three-run homer and two runs in the opening-round win. Castro also hit a three-run homer in his 1-for-3 outing. Gonzalez finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, two runs and a double. Encarnacion batted 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Bernal went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, while Mercado hit 1-for-2 with a homer, two RBIs and a run scored.
 
With the win, the Mustangs advance into the winner's bracket of the Eastern District Championship. They will take on Potomac State College of WVU, who defeated Spartanburg Methodist College to open the tournament on Friday. Game time is scheduled for 11 a.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 30 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 11 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).