NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., April 26, 2022 – A battle between East District adversaries went the way of Harford Community College on Tuesday, as the Monroe College Mustangs baseball team dropped a narrow 6-5 decision to the Fighting Owls at Dick Caswell Field.
 
The Fighting Owls struck first in Tuesday's matchup when Quinn Madden hit a solo homer to center in the top of the second, leaving Harford on top, 1-0.
 
The Mustangs were down to their final out in the third when Miguel Toribio doubled right down the right-field line to keep the inning going. Nathaniel Alvarez and Andres Castro each walked to load the bases, and then Salix Felix drew one more base-on-balls to bring in Toribio and tie the game at 1-1.
 
The Mustangs had a rough inning in the top of the sixth, allowing Harford to put five runs on the board on just three hits to put the visitors up, 6-1. The Mustangs then rallied back into the game in the bottom of the seventh. Luis Villalba walked to lead off the frame, and then Angel De La Cruz hit a ground-rule double to right-center. Luis Tejada walked to load the bases, and then Kristopher Salinas hit a single into the left-side hole, bringing in Villalba to get within four. With one out, Alvarez doubled into left, scoring Tejada and Salinas to make it a two-run game. Castro then brought in Toribio on a sacrifice fly to right, leaving Monroe down a run at 6-5.
 
Both teams had their chances in the ninth frame. Harford managed to load the bases with two away in the inning, but Adrian Batista was able to keep the Fighting Owls off the board, giving the Mustangs a chance in the bottom of the ninth. The Mustangs put two runners on with one down, but a game-ending double play for Harford gave the visitors the win.
 
Marcos Del Valle earned the win for the Fighting Owls to improve to 3-0, while Joe Clancy earned his second save of the season for Harford. Andrelis Payampas shouldered the loss for Monroe to drop to 2-4.
 
Alvarez went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, a double and two walks in Tuesday's contest. Toribio hit 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a double. Castro batted 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while Salinas finished 1-for-4 with a run scored and a run batted in. Villalba scored a run and walked twice in a 1-for-2 outing. De La Cruz doubled in a 1-for-4 effort.
 
The Mustangs are right back at it tomorrow, April 27, when they visit Div. III No. 1 Rowan College South Jersey – Gloucester in Sewell, N.J. The rubber match between the Mustangs and Roadrunners is set to begin at 3:30 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