ALVIN, Texas, February 13, 2023 – The Mustangs and Dolphins produced a pair of dramatic contests on Monday, with both ends of the doubleheader coming down to the final frame, but host Alvin Community College came out on top in a pair of one-run games, as the Dolphins defeated the Monroe College Mustangs softball team by scores of 4-3 and 9-8.
 
GAME 1: Alvin 4, Monroe 3
Monday's opener started off as a pitcher's duel, as the game went scoreless until the fifth frame. Monroe's Marissa Thalassinos broke the tie in the top of the fifth when she launched her first career home run over the fence in right-center to put the Mustangs ahead, 1-0.
 
The lead did not last for the Mustangs. In the bottom of the fifth, Alvin strung together five singles to eventually bring in four runs to take a three-run advantage on the Mustangs.
 
With the Mustangs needing three runs to extend the game in the top of the seventh, Thanysha Gil led off the inning with a single up the middle. Cinthia Ramirez then rocketed a line drive over the wall in left for a two-run homer, bringing the Mustangs back within a run of the Dolphins. With two outs, Thalassinos was walked, and then Ashley Ulmschneider singled to put the tying run on second and the leading run on first. Unfortunately, that's where they were stranded, seeing the Mustangs fall in Game 1 but a run.
 
Alexis Obregon improved to 3-1 for Alvin with seven innings of three-run ball. Sarah Wall pitched well, giving up just three earned runs across six frames with six strikeouts, but it was not enough to earn the win on Monday.
 
Ramirez hit 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a double in Monday's opener. Thalassinos went 1-for-2 with a solo home run. Mya Jack, Paola Calderon, Zoe Rivera, Gil and Ulmschneider all batted 1-for-3 in the game.
 
GAME 2: Alvin 9, Monroe 8
Game 2 got off to an inauspicious start for Monroe, as the Dolphins scored in each of the first three frames to take a 6-0 lead on the Mustangs. However, the Mustangs put together their biggest inning of the season in the fifth to get right back into the game. Genesis Duarte-Suarez got things going when she was hit by a pitch to lead off the fifth. Calderon and Gil hit back-to-back singles to load the bases, and then Ramirez was also hit by a pitch to bring in Monroe's first run. Thalassinos then beat out an infield single to score Calderon and get the Mustangs within four.
 
With one out in the fifth, Ashleigh Stewart hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Ramirez to cut the deficit to three. Ulmscheider popped up to the shortstop, but the ball was dropped, allowing Thalassinos to score and make it a two-run game. Jack drew a walk to once again load the bases, and then Duarte-Suarez hit a line drive down the first-base line with the runners on the move, allowing all three runners to score on a three-RBI single to put the Mustangs ahead, 7-6.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, an error put Tavery Ortiz on base for the Dolphins. Liberty Herrera drew a walk, and then a wild pitch put both runners in scoring position. Maggie Blythe then grounded out to short, bringing in Ortiz to tie the game at 7-7.
 
Jack beat out a bunt single toward third with one away in the top of the seventh. Duarte-Suarez came through once again with an RBI double to center that brought Jack home to put the Mustangs back in the lead, 8-7.
 
The Mustangs got the first two batters out to start the bottom of the seventh. Needing just one more out, Alasia Haines doubled for the Dolphins, and then Ortiz singled her in to knot the game up at 8-8. Herrera then came out and doubled to center, scoring Ortiz all the way from first to walk it off for the Dolphins.
 
Celeste Gonzalez picked up the win in relief for the Dolphins to improve to 1-2 on the season. Wall came on midway through the game, but took the loss in relief.
 
Duarte-Suarez went 3-for-4 with a double, four RBIs and a run scored in a big game for the Mustangs' backstop. Calderon finished 4-for-5 with a double and a run. Thalassinos hit 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Jack scored twice after going 1-for-4 in the game. Gil also batted 1-for-4. Ramirez did not register a hit in the game, but still managed to score a run, knock in another and steal a base after being hit by a pitch on three occasions in the game.
 
Starting to get into a rhythm, the Mustangs get right back at it on Tuesday, Feb. 14, when they visit Lamar State College Port Arthur in Port Arthur, Texas. Game 1 tomorrow is set for a 2 p.m. EST first pitch.
 
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