HOUSTON, Texas., February 18, 2022 – The Monroe College Mustangs baseball team dropped the four-game series opener at No. 3 San Jacinto College, 12-2, Friday evening at Harrison Field. The Mustangs fall to 1-5 overall, while the Gators improve to 7-6.
 
Things got off to a rough start for the Mustangs in the bottom of the first. Mason Lytle reached base on an error to lead off the inning, and then Alan Shibley drew a walk. Harold Coll then flew out to center, but it was deep enough to advance Lytle to third. Sabin Ceballos then doubled into left-center to bring in the first run of the game. Armani Sanchez then brought in another run with a sacrifice fly to left to make it a 2-0 game. After a walk, Thomas Di Landri singled up the middle, plating two runs to double the lead for the Gators. Luke Pectol then added one more run on an RBI single to right, leaving the home team up, 5-0, after one.
 
The Mustangs got on the board in the top of the fourth. Nathaniel Alvarez led off the inning with a single to right. With one out, Salix Felix singled into left, and the ball was misplayed by the left fielder. Alvarez was able to come around and score, but Felix was then thrown out trying to take third on the play, eventually ending Monroe's threat in the frame.
 
The Gators put together a rally in the bottom of the seventh. With runners on second and third, a wild pitch on a third strike allowed a run to score. An error brought in another run, and then a bases-loaded single by Ben Greer pushed the Gators' lead to 9-1.
 
Andres Castro led off the eighth with a single for Monroe. A pinch-hitting Christian Aliberti and Luis Tejada both walked to load the bases. Luis Villalba pinch hit as well, and was hit by a pitch to bring in a run and make it a 9-2 ballgame, but the Mustangs were stymied from there in the eighth.
 
The Gators rallied once again to finish the game in the bottom of the eighth. Alan Shibley hit a two-run homer to make it an 11-2 score, and then back-to-back doubles by Ceballos and Sanchez closed out the game with a 12-2 final.
 
Mustang starter Andrelis Payampas went five frames on Friday, allowing five unearned runs in the first before four scoreless frames. He allowed just four hits and struck out five in a solid outing, but unfortunately shouldered the loss to fall to 0-1. San Jacinto's Hunter Hollan went six innings for the Gators, allowing one unearned run with five strikeouts and two hits allowed to improve to 2-1 on the season.
 
Castro hit 1-for-3 with a run scored for the Mustangs. Felix went 1-for-3 as well in the game. Alvarez scored a run in a 1-for-4 outing.
 
The Mustangs and Gators continue their series on Saturday, Feb. 19, with a doubleheader in Houston. Game 1 is set to begin at 2 p.m. EST.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 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 and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 14 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). Read Full Article