BOILING SPRINGS, S.C., May 3, 2019 – The Monroe College Mustangs softball team kicked off its weekend at the Region X Championship Tournament, hosted by Spartanburg Methodist College, with an opening-round 11-6 victory over USC Sumter, sending the Mustangs into the winner's bracket. The Mustangs then shouldered a 5-0 defeat to USC Salkehatchie, pushing them into an elimination game on Saturday.
 
GAME 1: MONROE 11, USC SUMTER 6
The Fire Ants struck first with a little help in the top of the first. Kristin Wemes was hit by a pitch to lead off the game, and then Brooke Ward reached on an error that left runners on the corners for Sumter. Ward then stole second, and two batters later, Hailey Carter hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Wemes to give Sumter a 1-0 lead. Jayla Cowell later hit a two-out double to left, plating Ward to leave the Fire Ants up, 2-0.
 
The Mustangs got one back in the bottom of the second. Anessa Quiroz hit a one-out double to right. Two batters later, Macie Kuppenbender hit a grounder that was misplayed by the second baseman, allowing a run to come home and move the score to 2-1.
 
Chantel Winstead hit a single up the middle to lead off the bottom of the third. After the next two batters were unable to reach base, Samantha Mancillas came through with a two-run homer to center, pushing the Mustangs ahead, 3-2.
 
The Mustangs got the first two batters of the top of the fourth out, but an error kept the inning alive for the Fire Ants. Laurel Shaw then hit a single to get two runners on, and a single to left by Rachel Tavares loaded the bases. Wemes then beat out an infield single, bringing in Shelby Nisbet to tie the game. Ward then reached on another error that allowed Shaw to score, putting the Fire Ants back in the lead, 4-3.
 
It did not take long for the Mustangs to take the lead right back. Megan Soto and Kuppenbender hit back-to-back singles to lead off the home half of the fourth. Stacy Hernandez then sacrificed them both into scoring position. Marissa Vanduzer followed with a double to left, bringing in both runners to give the Mustangs a 5-4 edge. Winstead followed with an RBI double to left, scoring Vanduzer to make it a 6-4 game.
 
The Mustangs then put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fifth. Kaylynn Lopez led off with a walk, and then an error on a sacrifice bunt attempt put Mancillas on base as well. A passed ball moved both runners up, and then Quiroz singled into left, scoring both runners to push the lead to 8-4. After a Soto single, Kuppenbender laid down a bunt that was throw up the right-field line, bringing in three more runs for the Mustangs to leave them on top, 11-4.
 
The Fire Ants did not go down easy, putting together a rally in the top of the seventh. Abigale Hudson led off with a single, and two batters later, Emily Holmes drew a walk. Jayla Cowell then singled to load the bases, and a single by Alexis Lyles brought in a run to make it a six-run game. Shaw then grounded into a fielder's choice, bringing in another run to get within five. Kuppenbender then got Wemes to line out to left, ending the game and advancing the Mustangs into the winner's bracket.
 
Kuppenbender improved to 22-11 on the season with the win. She went the full seven innings, allowing just two earned runs while striking out five. Megan Phillips took the loss for the Fire Ants to fall to 4-10.
 
Mancillas batted 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored in the win. Quiroz went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run. Vanduzer went 1-for-3 with a two-RBI double, also scoring a run. Kuppenbender scored twice after going 1-for-2, while Soto also scored a pair of runs in a 2-for-4 outing. Winstead batted 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run.
 
GAME 2: USC SALKEHATCHIE 5, MONROE 0
The game was scoreless until the Indians got on the board in the bottom of the third. Haley Rawls led off the inning with a walk, then Shelby Miller moved her over to second with a sacrifice bunt. A passed ball put her on third, and then a sacrifice fly by Lauren Wexler brought her in to score and make it a 1-0 game.
 
The Indians added their second run in the bottom of the fourth when Samantha Blackwell hit an RBI single to take a 2-0 lead. USC Salkehatchie was then able to gain a comfortable lead in the bottom of the sixth, rallying for three more runs to go up, 5-0.
 
Kuppenbender allowed no earned runs in the loss, but still took the decision to fall to 22-12. Haley Haselden improved to 14-5 with the win for the Indians.
 
Keira Matos, Mancillas and Soto all hit 1-for-3 in the game, with Mancillas picked up a triple and Soto a double. Vanduzer finished 1-for-2.
 
The Mustangs will now face their first elimination game of the tournament, taking on USC Union on Saturday at 12 p.m. The winner will continue through the tournament, while the loser will be sent home.
                         
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 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).