SCRANTON, Pa., April 14, 2022 – The Monroe College Mustangs softball team dropped a pair of games on the road against Lackawanna College on Thursday at Scranton High School. The Falcons came out on top in a 12-7 final in Game 1 before picking up a 20-6 win over the Mustangs in Game 2.
 
GAME 1: Lackawanna 12, Monroe 7
Lackawanna got off to a big start in Thursday's opener, putting five runs on the board in the bottom of the first. The Mustangs battled back in their second at-bat, beginning with a leadoff solo homer by Miralba Sandez. Zoe Rivera later kept the inning going with a two-out single, and then Mya Jack followed with a single of her own. A passed ball moved both runners into scoring position, and then a single to center by Navaeh Gaynor brought in both runners to make it a 5-3 ballgame.
 
The Falcons erased Monroe's production in the bottom of the second, bringing another three runs across to take an 8-3 edge into the third. The Falcons then put up another two runs in the third, pushing the lead to 10-3.
 
The Mustangs got some runs back over the next two innings. In the top of the fourth, Thanysha Gil hit an RBI single that brought Rivera home to make it a 10-4 game. In the fifth, a bases-loaded wild pitch allowed Alyssa Alfaro to score. Gil followed with a two-RBI single, getting Monroe within three at 10-7. However, Lackawanna kept the Mustangs off the board the rest of the way, adding two more runs as well to pick up the 12-7 win.
 
Meghan Fritz picked up the win for the Falcons to improve to 5-6, while Jennifer Wolak picked up her second save of the year. Asia Gonzalez shouldered the loss for Monroe to fall to 2-6.
 
Gil finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs in Game 1. Rivera hit 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Jack scored twice after hitting 2-for-4. Gaynor knocked in two runs in a 1-for-2 effort. Sandez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run. Leiloni Pina batted 2-for-4. Camryn Brooks and Genelly Cruz each went 1-for-4 in the game.
 
GAME 2: Lackawanna 20, Monroe 6 (5 INN)
Lackawanna got off to a big start in Game 2. The home team scored two in the first, four in the second and five in the third to take an 11-0 advantage after three frames.
 
The Mustangs battled back with a big inning in the fourth. Shania Thomas brought in the first run with an RBI single, and then Alfaro plated two with a single into right field. Nickoya Lindo knocked in two more with a triple just shy of the fence in right-center to knock in two more runs. Rivera added one more run with an RBI double, leaving Monroe down, 11-6.
 
The Falcons did the rest of their scoring in the bottom of the fourth. They brought in another nine runs, reaching the score of 20-6 to eventually cause the run-rule finish after five.
 
Mackayla Quick picked up the win for the Falcons to improve to 7-5. Hilda Sanchez took the loss for the Mustangs.
 
Alfaro and Lindo each hit 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run, including a triple for Lindo. Thomas batted 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run. Rivera went 1-for-2 with an RBI double. Pina scored a run in a 1-for-3 game.
 
The Mustangs will return home for their next doubleheader, which will take place on Monday, April 18, at Flowers Park in New Rochelle. They will host Suffolk County Community College beginning at 2 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