GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., May 27, 2019 – In a brilliant bounce-back performance after a late-night defeat on Saturday, the Monroe College Mustangs baseball team took down No. 14 New Mexico Junior College in an elimination game on Sunday, 8-2, to advance in the 2019 Alpine Bank Junior College World Series at Sam Suplizio Field. The Mustangs stay alive and will take on Cowley College on Monday at 2 p.m. MDT (4 p.m. EST) in another elimination contest.
 
After three scoreless frames on both sides, the Thunderbirds broke through first in the top of the fourth inning. Zac Vooletich led off with a walk, then Adrian Torres followed with a single to put runners on the corners. Angel DeLaCruz then singled to center, bringing in the first run of the game to put New Mexico up, 1-0.
 
The Mustangs rallied to tie the game in the home half of the fourth. Leandy Castro drew a one-out walk to get the first runner on base. Neifi Mercedes then roped a two-out triple into the left-center gap, scoring Castro from first to tie the game at 1-1.
 
With one out in the fifth, Gustavo Gonzalez ripped a double down the left-field line to get a runner into scoring position. Where he was on base did not end up mattering, as Freddy Rojas Jr. followed with a two-run blast over the right-field fence, putting the Mustangs on top, 3-1.
 
Rojas picked up his fourth hit of the game to lead off the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Joseph Encarnacion singled through the left side, then Castro reached on an error to load the bases. Iasid Bernal made the Thunderbirds pay for their mistake, lining a two-RBI single into left to push the Mustang lead to four runs. Mercedes then sent his second triple of the game into deep left-center, plating two more runs to make it a 7-1 ballgame. Joe Rosselli then hit a two-out single through the left side, plating Mercedes to leave Monroe ahead, 8-1, after seven frames.
 
Brandon Backman put himself in trouble in the top of the eighth, walking the first three batters of the inning to load the bases. Backman then got a much needed strikeout against DeLaCruz. On the next pitch, Backman got Junior Ramirez to ground into a double play, ending the inning without a blemish on the scoreboard.
 
Backman was once again in trouble in the top of the ninth after loading the bases with one out. Daniel Hernandez then hit a long fly ball to left-center, where Rosselli and Castro collided, but Rosselli came up with the ball for the out. A run scored on the play to make it an 8-2 game. Zac Vooletich then hit a fly ball near the right-field line, where Rojas made a sliding catch to end the game and keep the Mustangs' season alive.
 
Backman went the complete nine innings for the second straight outing, striking out eight batters and allowing just two runs on five hits to earn the win and improve to 9-2 on the year. Mark Barillas allowed eight runs (six earned) in 6.1 innings to take the loss for New Mexico.
 
Rojas finished 4-for-5, hitting the go-ahead two-run homer and scoring twice in the win. Mercedes batted 3-for-4 with three RBIs, a pair of triples and a run. Bernal went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Gonzalez and Alfonzo each hit 1-for-5 with a double, with Gonzalez also scoring a run in the victory.
 
The Mustangs' season continues with the win, advancing to play Cowley College on Monday, May 27, back at Suplizio Field in another elimination game. First pitch in Monday's do-or-die battle is scheduled for 2 p.m. MDT (4 p.m. EST).
 
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).