BRENTWOOD, N.Y., April 27, 2022 – The Monroe College Mustangs softball team lost a pair of matchups at Div. III No.6-ranked Suffolk County Community College Wednesday afternoon.
 
GAME 1: Suffolk 13, Monroe 5 (5 INN)
After falling behind by a run after two innings, the Mustangs pushed their way into the lead in the third inning of Game 1. Zoe Rivera led off the inning with a solo homer to tie things up, and then with two outs, Leiloni Pina hit an RBI double, putting the Mustangs ahead, 2-1.
 
The Mustangs built upon this lead in the top of the fourth. Genelly Cruz hit a one-out single, and then Rivera doubled her in to give Monroe a two-run advantage. With two outs and two runners in scoring position. Nevaeh Gaynor reached on an error by the shortstop, plating Rivera and Alyssa Alfaro to leave Monroe ahead, 5-1.
 
However, the Sharks figured things out in a big way in the home half of the fourth, rallying for 11 runs on 13 hits to take a 12-5 advantage on the Mustangs. One more run in the bottom of the fifth gave the Sharks a run-rule victory, 13-5.
 
Katie Buerkel got the win for the Sharks to improve to 5-1 on the season. Hilda Sanchez was saddled with the loss for Monroe.
 
Rivera went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in Game 1. Alfaro also hit 2-for-3 with a run scored. Pina batted 1-for-3 with an RBI double. Gaynor scored after going 1-for-2. Cruz also scored a run in a 1-for-3 outing. Camryn Brooks and Shania Thomas each hit 1-for-3.
 
GAME 2: Suffolk 13, Monroe 1 (5 INN)
The Sharks did not waste any time in Game 2, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings before an eight-run third put them up, 12-0. The home team led 13-0 before the Mustangs got a run in the top of the fifth, but the game ended after five frames with the Sharks up, 13-1.
 
Gianna Postiglione got her 10th win for the Sharks in Game 2. Asia Gonzalez took the loss for Monroe.
 
Pina hit 1-for-2 in Game 2, hitting her second double of the day in the game. Mya Jack went 0-for-1, but scored a run after drawing a walk.
 
The Mustangs get right back at it tomorrow, April 28, with a trip to West Windsor Township, N.J., to take on Mercer County Community College. The doubleheader is set to begin at 12 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