EUNICE, La., February 12, 2023 – The Monroe College Mustangs baseball team dropped the final two games of a four-game series at NJCAA Div. II No. 3 LSU Eunice on Sunday at Bengal Stadium. The Bengals won the opener, 18-1, before a 14-4 win over the Mustangs in Game 2.
 
GAME 1: LSU Eunice 18, Monroe 1 (5 INN)
Game 1 got off to a very rocky start for the Mustangs, as they gave up nine runs in the first inning to fall into a big hole. It happened again in the second with nine more runs for the Bengals in the second. Monroe got on the board in the top of the fifth when a double play brought Gilbert Gomez home from third, but it was not enough to extend the game after five.
 
Bengal reliever Liam Watt picked up the win to improve to 1-0 on the season. Justine Rodriguez took the loss for Monroe to drop to 0-1.
 
Ronald Almanzar hit 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles for the Mustangs in Game 1. Jeremy De La Mota batted 1-for-2, while Ivan Santos went 1-for-3.
 
GAME 2: LSU Eunice 14, Monroe 4
Game 2 saw a pair of strong innings from both teams' starting pitchers, but the Bengals broke through with four runs in the third. The Bengals brought in two more runs in the fourth, plus another in the fifth to take a 7-0 lead.
 
The Mustangs rallied in the sixth to get back in the game. Jeremy De La Mota walked to open the frame, and then stole second. Matthew Franco walked, and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Diego Urreta drew a walk to load the bases. With one out, Ronald Diaz walked to brin gin a run, and then Gilbert Gomez reached on an error to score another. A passed ball allowed Urreta to score, and then Pedro Crespo brought in Diaz on a groundout to short to make it a 7-4 game.
 
Unfortunately for the Mustangs, the game did not last much longer. In the bottom of the seventh, the Bengals rallied for seven runs, ending the game via the run rule, 14-4.
 
Blake Lobell picked up the win for LSU Eunice with five shutout innings, improving to 2-0. Jacob Moore picked up a save with just 0.1 innings of work. Je-andrick Lourens took the loss in his first start of the season.
 
Diaz finished 1-for-2 with an RBI and run for the Mustangs. De La Mota and Urreta each hit 1-for-3 with a run scored. Andres Castro also went 1-for-3, while Almanzar batted 1-for-4.
 
The Mustangs will take Monday off to travel before getting back to work on Tuesday, Feb. 14, with a matchup at No. 15 Alvin Community College. First pitch is set for 1 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