HAGERSTOWN, Md., May 8, 2021 – Jared Paladino spoiled a pitcher's duel with what proved to be a game-winning two-RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, backing up a spectacular performance by Nicholas Feretic that led the No. 3-seed Monroe College Mustangs baseball team to a 4-1 victory over No. 4 Harford Community College Saturday afternoon at Hagerstown Municipal Stadium. The win sends the Mustangs to Sunday's Region 20 Championship final, as improves Monroe's season record to 32-5-1 overall.
 
Feretic delivered for the Mustangs when they needed it most, tossing eight-plus frames of one-run ball with eight strikeouts to help send Monroe to the region finals. He allowed just six hits in the game and improves to 6-0 on the year with the win. Anthony Vargas was imperative to a terrific day on the mound for Monroe, coming on in the ninth in a challenging situation and keeping the Fighting Owls off the board for the final three outs and his second save of the year. Harford reliever Connor Blantz took the loss for the Fighting Owls after being responsible for the go-ahead runs in the eighth.
 
Much like Friday's opening matchup, the game began as a pitcher's duel. It took until the fifth frame for both teams to get on the board. The Fighting Owls struck first when Reyce Curnane led off the fifth with a solo homer to give Harford a 1-0 edge.
 
The Mustangs wasted no time evening things up in the next at-bat. John Garcia doubled to left to lead off the frame, and then Miguel Toribio hit another double on a hard ground ball into left, plating Garcia to make it a 1-1 game.
 
Joan Sosa drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the eighth for Monroe. Harford's catcher then could not find a wild pitch, allowing Sosa to move all the way up to third. Salix Felix drew a walk, and then stole second, so Harford chose to load the bases and intentionally walk Anthony Fontana. With a new pitcher in the game, Jared Paladino delivered the hit the Mustangs needed, a hard grounder past the third baseman for a two-RBI single, scoring Sosa and Felix to put the Mustangs on top, 3-1. Dante Paolucci then grounded into a double play, but it brought in Fontana for a crucial run to leave the Mustangs ahead, 4-1, heading to the ninth.
 
The Mustangs found themselves in a bit of trouble in the top of the ninth. Curnane caught a break, dropping a pop up in no-man's land behind second base, giving him a double to lead off the frame. Andrew Sicinski then singled into left to put runners on the corners. The Mustangs then went to Vargas to try and work his way out of trouble after a terrific performance by starter Feretic. Vargas struck out his first batter looking for the first out of the inning. He then got Jeremiah Guzman to line out to Felix at third, who quickly shot it over to first for a double play to end the game and send the Mustangs to the Region 20 finals.
 
The Mustangs made their three hits count in Saturday's conquest. Paladino finished 1-for-4 with his game-winning two-RBI single. Garcia hit 1-for-2 with a double and a run, while Toribio batted 1-for-3 with an RBI double. Monroe also drew seven walks and a hit-by-pitch in the game.
 
The Mustangs are now in the driver's seat for Sunday's final, as they sit just one victory away from claiming their first-ever Region 20 Championship and advancing to the East District Championship in South Carolina. They will play the winner of Saturday evening's elimination game between No. 4 Harford and No. 1 WVU Potomac State College, which defeated No. 2 Hagerstown Community College to open Saturday's festivities. Sunday's final will begin at 11 a.m. Should Monroe lose, one more game will be played to determine the Region 20 Champion.

UPDATE: Harford defeated Potomac State, 13-10, in Saturday evening's elimination game. Monroe and Harford will play Sunday at 11 a.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).