MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., April 10, 2021 – The Monroe College Mustangs softball team split a doubleheader at Orange County Community College on Saturday. The Mustangs dropped a 13-5 final in the opener, but bounced back for a high-scoring, 15-12 victory in Game 2. The Mustangs move to 2-8 overall, while the Colts go to 1-3.
 
GAME 1: Orange 13, Monroe 5 (6 INN)
The Mustangs got off to an immediate lead in Saturday's opener when Brenda Rodriguez launched a leadoff homer to center for an instant 1-0 lead. But the home team responded quickly in the bottom of the first with two runs to grab the lead.
 
The Mustangs bounced right back when a double steal with runners on the corners got Rachel Barker to score and tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the second. The scoring kept coming in the bottom of the second, with the Colts once again managing to bring a run in and make it a 3-2 lead for the home team.
 
The Mustangs rallied to tie again in the fourth, starting with a leadoff single by Barker. Mya Jack then hit a bunt single to get two runners on, and a ground out by Brenda Rodriguez moved them both over. Letty Chavez-Rendon then brought in Barker on a ground out to second, tying the game at 3-3.
 
The Colts broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth, accumulating seven hits to bring in five runs and take an 8-3 advantage.
 
The Mustangs tried to fight back in the top of the sixth. Jack singled with one out, and then Brenda Rodriguez drew a walk. Chavez-Rendon then hit an RBI single to right to bring in Jack, then Angelina Perez reached on an error to score Rodriguez and make it an 8-5 game.
 
Things got away from the Mustangs in the bottom of the sixth, as the Colts strung together five runs to force a run-rule finish after six innings at 13-5.
 
Perez took the loss for the Mustangs to in Game 1. Emily Wangenstein picked up the win for Orange.
 
Barker and Jack each hit 2-for-3 in the game, with Barker scoring twice, and Jack scoring once herself. Chavez-Rendon knocked in two runs after hitting 1-for-4. Brenda Rodriguez went 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI.
 
GAME 2: Monroe 15, Orange 12
The Mustangs responded well after the Game 1 defeat, getting off to a strong start in the day's finale. Brenda Rodriguez led off with a walk, then Jack beat out a bunt. Perez was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and then Brianna Nunez drew a walk to score the first run of the game. With one out, Sullyanne Rodriguez also drew a walk to make it a 2-0 game. Chavez-Rendon drew another base-on-balls to make it 3-0, and Barker picked up one more walk to take a 4-0 lead.
 
The Colts showed the game would become a shootout in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs on three hits to get within a run of the Mustangs.
 
The Mustangs nearly put the game out of reach in the top of the second with their largest rally of the day. Jack led off with a bunt single, and then Perez drew a walk. Nunez doubled to score Jack, and then Katherine Garcia singled to bring in Perez and make it a 6-3 game. Two batters later, Chavez-Rendon continued a big day, shitting a two-RBI single to right to push the lead to 8-3. Barker then reached on a fielder's choice that brought in Sullyanne Rodriguez to make it 9-3. With two outs, Brenda Rodriguez doubled in Barker, leaving the Mustangs on top, 10-3.
 
Chavez-Rendon was at it again in the top of the third. With two on, she singled in Nunez to make it an 11-3 ballgame. A wild pitch then brought in Sullyanne Rodriguez to make it a nine-run game.
 
The Colts got a run back in the bottom of the third, but the Mustangs managed to limit the damage to hold onto a 12-4 lead. The home team was able to take advantage of some miscues in the fourth to bring in three runs and get within five of Monroe at 12-7.
 
The Mustangs padded their lead in the top of the fifth. Garcia was on third when Barker ripped a triple to center to bring her in and make it a 13-7 score. Alfaro followed with a double to right, bringing in Barker to double-up the Colts, 14-7.
 
Orange nearly closed the gap in the home half of the fifth. The Colts put together five hits and knocked in five runs, making it a two-run game at 14-12. But the Mustangs managed to halt the damage there. Monroe added one more run in the top of the seventh for some insurance, eventually holding on for the 15-12 win.
 
Naidely Cabrera picked up the win for Monroe after going 4.1 innings in the start. With a clean 2.2 frames to close the game, Perez picked up her first save. Sarah Haglund shouldered the loss for the Colts.
 
Chavez-Rendon finished with four RBIs after hitting 2-for-4 in Game 2. Jack went 3-for-6 with two runs scored. Nunez hit 2-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBIs and a double. Garcia batted 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Barker knocked in three runs and scored three more herself after hitting 1-for-2 with two walks and a triple. Brenda Rodriguez brought in two runs and scored once herself after going 1-for-3.
 
The Mustangs play next on Tuesday, April 13, when they visit Suffolk County Community College in Selden, N.Y. The doubleheader is set to begin at 3:30 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).