EUNICE, La., February 10, 2023 – The Monroe College Mustangs baseball team began its traditional season-opening trip down south on Friday, opening a four-game series at NJCAA Div. II No. 3 LSU Eunice at Bengal Stadium. The Mustangs were neck-and-neck with the Bengals until the home team put together a late rally to pull away for an 11-4 sin. The Mustangs start the year 0-1, while the Bengals remain unbeaten at 8-0
 
Some unfortunate circumstances led to the Bengals taking their first lead in the bottom of the second. Parker Coley singled to lead off the frame, and then moved to second on a wild pitch. He later stole third, and then a pair of walks loaded the bases. With two outs, a passed ball brought Coley home from third, putting LSU Eunice up, 1-0.
 
The Mustangs did not stay down for long, getting a break of their own in the top of the third. Pedro Crespo hit a leadoff single into right. A failed pickoff allowed Crespo to move to second. Pedro Vasquez then hit a grounder to third that was misplayed, allowing Crespo to come home from second and tie the game.
 
It was not until the fifth until the tie was broken. In the home half of the inning, Alexander Saunier drew a one-out walk. With two down, a wild pitch moved Saunier to second, and then Zachary Thomas hit a double to left to bring him in and put the home team up by a run. Coley followed with another double to score Thomas and push the lead to two. Coley then mirrored his trip home from the second inning, advancing to third on a wild pitch before a passed ball brought him in to leave the Bengals on top, 4-1.
 
With one out in the bottom of the sixth, the Bengals had runners on second and third for Dawson Willis. Willis dropped down a sacrifice bunt to bring the runner home from third, but after Willis was thrown out at first, the throw went back home to get Evan Joubert trying to score, ending the inning with Monroe down, 5-1.
 
Diego Urreta hit a one-out double to center for the Mustangs in the top of the seventh, and then a wild pitch put him on third. Andres Castro took advantage with an RBI single to right to cut the deficit to three. Pedro Vasquez then flexed his power, launching a towering two-run homer over the wall in left-center to get the Mustangs back within a run.
 
Saunier led off the seventh with a solo homer to center for the Bengals to put them back up by two. Bennett Clement was hit by a pitch, and then ended up coming home after a wild pitch and a passed ball to make it a three-run game. The Bengals later loaded the bases with two outs, allowing another run to come home on a Tanner Vadnais walk to make it an 8-4 game. Willis then beat out an infield single, bringing in one more run to make it a 9-4 game.
 
In the bottom of the eighth, Clement scored again on a passed ball to make it a 10-4 game. With a runner on second and two outs, Cooper reached on a dropped fly ball in center, allowing Walker Bridges to score to reach the eventual final score of 11-4.
 
Patrick Vienne earned the win for LSU Eunice after allowing just one unearned run across six frames. Andrelis Payamps took the loss for Monroe to fall to 0-1.
 
Castro finished 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in the game. Crespo also hit 3-for-5 with a run scored. Vasquez batted 2-for-5 with a two-run homer. Gilbert Gomez went 2-for-4. Urreta went 1-for-5 with a double and a run scored, while Ronald Almanzar also batted 1-for-5.
 
Due to expected inclement weather on Saturday, the weekend's schedule has been modified to better accommodate the final three games of the series. Saturday, Feb. 11, will now feature just one game instead of the originally scheduled doubleheader, with first pitch set for 4 p.m. EST. Sunday will now carry the doubleheader, with games slated for 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. EST.
 
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 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 11 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