Monror College Athletics

SOUTH PRINCE GEORGE, Va., March 8, 2020 – In the final contest of a three-game series at Richard Bland College, the Monroe College Mustangs softball team defeated the host Statesmen, 7-5, Sunday afternoon to pick up its first victory of the young season. The Mustangs head home with a 1-2 record, while Statesmen fall to 6-3.
 
The Mustangs got things going right off the bat on Sunday with a rally in the top of the first. Marissa Vanduzer opened the game with a walk, and then Macie Kuppenbender beat out a bunt single toward third. Brenda Rodriguez then hit into a fielder's choice, but an errant throw on the play put her and Kuppenbender in scoring position. Samantha Mancillas then singled to center, bringing in Kuppenbender to make it a 1-0 game. Kaylynn Lopez then hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Rodriguez to push the lead to two. Anessa Quiroz then drew a walk, and Rachel Barker reached on an error, plating Mancillas to cap off a three-run first for the Mustangs.
 
The Statesmen were able to cut the deficit in the bottom of the third. With two runners on, Misty Even doubled to right, bringing in both runs to make it a 3-2 game.
 
Mya Jack came on to pinch hit to lead off the fourth for Monroe, and capitalized with an infield single. Vanduzer then beat out a bunt, and an error brought in Jack all the way from first to put the Mustangs up, 4-2. A wild pitch put Vanduzer on third, and then a fielder's choice by Kuppenbender led to Vanduzer beating a throw home to push the lead to 5-2. After a single by Mancillas, Lopez reached on another fielder's choice that Kuppenbender beat to the plate, leaving the Mustangs up, 6-2.
 
Richard Bland put runners on second and third in the bottom of the fifth with nobody out. Even singled to center, bringing in a run, but resulting in the next runner being thrown out at the plate. Madison Rice then singled to center, and a wild pitch brought in Even to bring the score to 6-4.
 
Mancillas hit a fly ball to right to lead off the sixth, which was dropped by the right fielder and allowed Mancillas to go all the way to third. Two batters later, Quiroz singled to center, plating Mancillas to put the Mustangs up, 7-4.
 
In the bottom of the seventh, the Statesmen got a run back when an error brought Rice in from second, but that was the end of the scoring for the day, as the Mustangs held on for the two-run victory.
 
Kuppenbender went the complete seven frames in the circle to pick up her first win of the season on Sunday. She gave up four earned runs while striking out five batters. Kiara Toler took the loss for Richard Bland after yielding six runs (four earned) on eight hits in 3.1 innings.
 
Mancillas finished 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI in the win. Kuppenbender also scored twice and knocked in a run after hitting 2-for-5. Quiroz batted 2-for-2 with an RBI. Vanduzer hit 2-for-4 with a run scored. Lopez knocked in a pair of runs after hitting 1-for-3.
 
With their first series of the season now in the rear view, the Mustangs will return home to New Rochelle, where they will play their home opener on Friday, March 13, against Suffolk County Community College. The doubleheader at the Flowers Park Softball Field is set to begin at 2 p.m.
 
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).