NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., March 19, 2021 – 377 days since the Monroe College softball team played its last game, the Mustangs finally get back to work on Saturday, March 20, kicking off the 2021 season that was never certain to be. After the COVID-19 pandemic shut down college athletics altogether in early March a year ago, the Mustangs softball team's home opener against Herkimer College will be the first home event for Monroe in just over a year.
 
Due to Region 15, Monroe College and New York State COVID-19 restrictions, spectators will not be permitted to attend Monroe College home athletic events for the 2021 spring season. Despite staffing limitations, the Monroe College Department of Athletics hopes to provide live stats and video for as many home contests as possible in 2021. Each of those can be found at the following links:
Live Stats: MonroeCollegeMustangs.com/SBLiveStats
Live Video: YouTube.com/MonroeMustangs
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2021 marks the first year in the softball team's existence that the Mustangs will open a season at home. The Mustangs were originally set to open their season against Suffolk County Community College on March 16, but weather concerns postponed the games, making Saturday's doubleheader against Herkimer College the Mustangs' home opener.
 
Suffolk County appears on the Mustangs' schedule for six total games, beginning with a doubleheader on Sunday, March 21, in New Rochelle. Monroe will visit Suffolk County in Selden, N.Y. on April 16, and then the Mustangs and Sharks will play two more on April 25 (location TBD). Monroe will also take on Region 15's Nassau Community College on two separate occasions, first, a home doubleheader on March 28, and later, a pair of road contests in Garden City, N.Y., on April 17.
 
The Mustangs will host the Monroe College Express on Tuesday, April 6. The Express will later play host to the Mustangs in New Rochelle on Saturday, April 24.
 
Monroe's first pair of games on the road will take place on Saturday, April 10, when the Mustangs visit Niagara County Community College, in Sanborn, N.Y. The Mustangs wrap up the regular season at Herkimer, visiting the Generals on their home field on May 1.
 
The Mustangs' roster is led by four sophomores who have been with the team since 2019 in Alyssa Alfaro, Letty Chavez-Rendon, Brenda Rodriguez and Katherine Garcia. All four are in their third year with the Mustangs after COVID-19 prevented the 2020 season from counting against their eligibility.
 
Monroe returns another three student-athletes from the 2020 team in Rachel Barker, Camryn Brooks and Mya Jack. With the 2020 campaign halted after just three games, all three will have a renewed opportunity to show off what they bring to the table.
 
Monroe also welcomed four newcomers to the team this season. Freshmen Sullyanne Rodriguez, Naidely Cabrera, Angelina Perez and Brianna Nunez will all need to play a big role in the Mustangs' success in 2021.
 
The Mustangs and Generals will go head-to-head to open the season on Saturday, March 20, at Flowers Park in New Rochelle. Game 1 of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., following a doubleheader at Flowers Park between Suffolk County and Corning Community College. The Mustangs will take on Suffolk County on Sunday, March 21, beginning at 1 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 36 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports program, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 17 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 Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).