WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y., March 6, 2022 – After a narrow 5-4 victory over SUNY Ulster at home on Tuesday, a healthier Monroe College Mustangs baseball team rolled to a 14-1 win over the Senators Saturday evening at Dutchess Stadium. The Mustangs improve to 4-11 overall with the win, while the Senators drop to 0-2.
 
After a scoreless first, the Mustangs began to light up the scoreboard in the top of the second. Jaison Andujar walked, and then Nathaniel Alvarez singled to put runners on the corners. Angel De La Cruz then singled into left, and an error in the outfield allowed both runners to come home and make it a 2-0 game. Pedro Crespo then drew a walk, and Kristopher Salinas singled to load the bases. A wild pitch plated De La Cruz to push the lead to three. With two outs, Andres Castro hit a two-RBI single into right to leave the Mustangs on top, 5-0.
 
Ulster got one back in the bottom of the second. Justin Zapata hit a two-out double, and then Jeffrey Gutierrez singled him in to get the Senators back within four.
 
The Mustangs padded the lead with a run in the top of the third. With Andujar on third, De La Cruz tripled to deep center, making it a 6-1 game in favor of Monroe.
 
Monroe's biggest inning of the day came in the top of the fourth, with every baserunner getting on with two outs. Dante Paolucci started that run by keeping the inning alive with a triple to center. Andujar then doubled him in for the first run of the frame. Salix Felix singled in Andujar, and then Alvarez doubled in Felix to make it a 9-1 game. A dropped fly ball off in the outfield off the bat of De La Cruz brought Alvarez in to score, and then Crespo blasted a two-run homer to put the Mustangs up, 12-1.
 
Monroe added a couple more runs in the top of the fifth to help finish the game off. With runners on the corners, Felix doubled to right, bringing in Castro to make it a 12-run game. With two outs, Luis Villalba reached on an error that brought in Luis Tejada from third and brought the score to 14-1.
 
Andrelis Payampas picked up the win after going four innings with one run allowed on two hits and six strikeouts, improving his record to 1-2. Grant Goodlad pitched a clean fifth inning with two strikeouts. Josh Vega shouldered the loss for Ulster.
 
De La Cruz batted 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and a triple in the game. Castro went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a run and two stolen bases. Andujar scored three times and knocked in a run in a 2-for-2 outing that included a double. Felix had a double, two RBIs and a run scored after going 2-for-4. Alvarez also went 2-for-4 with two runs, an RBI and a two-bagger. Paolucci finished 1-for-4 with a triple and a run. Crespo batted 1-for-2 with a two-run homer. Salinas went 1-for-2 with a run and a stolen base.
 
The Mustangs are back at home in New Rochelle twice this week, taking on Rockland Community College in a single nine-inning game on both Tuesday, March 8, and Thursday, March 10. Both games are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
 
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