EUNICE, La., February 21, 2020 – Taking on the top-ranked team in Division II of the NJCAA, the Monroe College Mustangs baseball team dropped the series-opening contest at LSU-Eunice, 12-0, Friday evening at Bengal Field. The Mustangs drop to 2-2 on the young season, while the Bengals improve to 10-0.
 
The Bengals got an early jump on the Mustangs in Friday evening's contest with five runs in the bottom of the first. River Town drew a one-out walk, and then moved all the way to third after a failed pickoff and a wild pitch. Jack Merrifield then singled him in for the first run of the game. A pair of walks then loaded the bases, and a passed ball brought in the second Bengal run. An error at second allowed two more runs to score, making it a four-run game. Later in the frame, LSU-Eunice's fifth run of the inning came in on a wild pitch, leaving the home team on top, 5-0.
 
Thomas Stevens opened the third with a walk for the Bengals. Another failed pickoff put him on second, and then a fly out to center moved him up to third. A wild pitch then allowed Stevens to score to put the Bengals up, 6-0.
 
The Bengals put up a big fifth inning to help secure the eventual win. Peyton LeJeune singled with two runners in scoring position to make it an eight-run game. Later in the frame, Scott Jones hit a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double to push the lead to 11. Stevens added one more with an RBI triple to center to make it a 12-0 game.
 
LSU-Eunice's Simon Miller earned the win with five shutout innings, improving to 3-0 on the year. Richard Vasquez took the loss for Monroe to drop to 0-1.
 
Jose Martinez and Leivin Rodriguez each hit 2-for-3 in the game for the Mustangs. Joe Rosselli and Jared Paladino both went 1-for-3.
 
The Mustangs and Bengals will play Game 2 of their three-game series tomorrow, Feb. 22. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. EST.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 31 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 Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 12 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 Mustangs), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).