NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., March 20, 2023 – Small-ball was the name of the game on Monday, as the Monroe College Mustangs baseball team defeated Citius Prep by a score of 3-2 at Dick Caswell Field. The Mustangs run their winning streak to nine games and improve to 12-9 overall with the win.
 
Citius Prep took the lead's first game in the top of the third. Miles Monell hit a one-out single up the middle to get things going. Sean Gallagher then doubled to left, but an errant throw back to the infield ended up in the Mustangs' dugout, allowing the runners to advance and bring in Citius Prep's first run. After a couple walks, Abel Montas hit a slow grounder to second that was misplayed, allowing another run to score and leave Citius Prep up, 2-0.
 
Yosmil Diaz, Pedro Crespo and Andres Castro were all hit by pitches on three straight pitches to load the bases in the home half of the third. Diego Urreta then drew a walk, bringing in Diaz to cut the deficit in half.
 
Matthew Franco led off the fourth with a walk, and then Gilbert Gomez sacrificed him over to second. Diaz then dropped a single into right to put runners on the corners. The Mustangs then attempted a double steal, with the throw down to second allowing both runners to advance, tying the game at 2-2.
 
Urreta walked again to lead off the fifth. Jeremy De La Mota then singled to center to get two runners on. Ronald Almanzar grounded into a double play, but that moved Urreta over to third. A wild pitch then brought in Urreta to put the Mustangs up, 3-2.
 
Damani Wallace got the win in relief for the Mustangs, going three innings with six strikeouts and just one hit allowed to improve to 1-0. Jeffrey Pena secured the one-run lead in the ninth to earn his first save. Samuel Herrera got the start, going two innings without allowing a baserunner with three strikeouts. Yahir Gonzalez went an inning with just one hit given up. Sammuel Urena struck out the side without giving up a hit in the eighth.
 
Diaz finished 1-for-2 with a run scored in the win. Gomez hit 1-for-2 with a double, while Jordy Batista also went 1-for-2. De La Mota went 1-for-3 in the game. Urreta did not record a hit, but managed to walk twice, knock in a run and score one himself.
 
The Mustangs will look to extend the winning streak on Thursday, March 23, when they host SUNY Sullivan at Dick Caswell Field. First pitch is set for 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 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