KISSIMMEE, Fla., March 1, 2022 – The Monroe College Mustangs softball team fell twice to Lake Michigan College on Tuesday at Fortune Road as part of The Spring Games down in Florida. The Mustangs dropped a pitcher's duel in Game 1, 2-1, before shouldering a 7-2 defeat in Game 2.
 
GAME 1: Lake Michigan 2, Monroe 1
The Mustangs jumped out into the lead in the top of the third in Game 1. Angelina Perez led off with a single, and then Nevaeh Gaynor reached on a fielder's choice, seeing Perez get thrown out at second. Gaynor then stole second, and moved to third when Zoe Rivera reached on an error. Thanysha Gil then hit a fielder's choice to short, bringing Gaynor in to score while the Rivera was forced out at second, putting the Mustangs ahead, 1-0.
 
Karissa Kilpin drew a one-out walk for Lake Michigan in the bottom of the fourth. Two batters later, Sophia Hover doubled to left, bringing Gilpin in to score and tie the game at 1-1.
 
The score remained until the bottom of the seventh. The Red Hawks loaded the bases with nobody out, allowing Madi Vollman to bring in the winning run with a walkoff single up the middle.
 
Angela Schmidt picked up the win for the Red Hawks with a complete game and just one unearned run allowed on six hits. Mya Jack took the loss after allowing the winning run in the seventh. Angelina Perez got the start and went three scoreless innings, while Asia Gonzalez allowed just one run in three innings of relief.
 
Leiloni Pina hit 2-for-3 for the Mustangs in Game 1. Gil finished 1-for-3 with an RBI. Naidely Cabrera and Genelly Cruz each went 1-for-3 in the game, while Perez batted 1-for-1.
 
GAME 2: Lake Michigan 7, Monroe 2
Game 2 proved to be a bit tougher for the Mustangs on Tuesday. The Red Hawks tallied two runs in the top of the first for an early advantage. Halle Jennings brought in Lake Michigan's third run in the top of the third on an RBI single.
 
The Mustangs battled back in the home half of the third. With two outs, Alyssa Alfaro kept the inning going with a bunt single. Jack then followed suit with a bunt single of her own, on which Alfaro sprinted to third to put runners on the corners. Jack then stole second to put both runners in scoring position. Rivera then singled them both in on a hit to center, cutting the deficit to one at 3-2.
 
Unfortunately, that was as close as Monroe got in the game. The Red Hawks rallied in the top of the sixth with four more runs to eventually claim a 7-2 victory.
 
Sophia Lozmack got the complete-game victory for Lake Michigan in Game 2. Cabrera took the loss for Monroe after yielding one earned run in 3.2 frames.
 
Rivera batted 1-for-2 with two RBIs in Tuesday's finale. Jack scored a run after hitting 1-for-3, while Alfaro did the same in a 1-for-2 effort. Gaynor finished 1-for-3.
 
After having a game rained out on Monday, the Mustangs will make it up on Wednesday, March 2. They are now set to take on Muskegon Community College tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. at Fortune Road in the Mustangs' only game of the day.
 
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