HAGERSTOWN, Md., March 31, 2023 – As has been the trend for the Monroe College Mustangs baseball team over the past month, the Mustangs got a pair of spectacular pitching performances Friday afternoon in a doubleheader at Hagerstown Community College. The Mustangs won the opener, 3-1, on the back of Andrelis Payamps, but dropped a tough 1-0 decision in Game 2 despite Carlos Peguero's phenomenal outing. The Mustangs see their winning streak end at 13 games and move to 16-10 overall with the split, while the Hawks go to 10-12 on the season.
 
GAME 1: Monroe 3, Hagerstown 1
The Mustangs struck first in Friday's opener, getting on the board in the second inning. Matthew Franco led off with a walk, and then Gilbert Gomez singled to center. With one out, Pedro Crespo singled through the left side, bringing in Franco to give Monroe a 1-0 lead.
 
The Hawks managed to tie things up in the bottom of the fourth. Chanse Phillips led off with a single, and then Cody Brick walked. Riley Jackson sacrificed both runners into scoring position, and then a wild pitch brought in Phillips to knot things up at 1-1.
 
The Mustangs then took the lead right back in the fifth. With two down, Ronald Almanzar tripled to center. Matthew Franco followed with a double down the left-field line to bring in Almanzar to jump back ahead. A wild pitch and a passed ball then allowed Franco to score, leaving Monroe up, 3-1.
 
Andrelis Payamps struck out 11 batters and allowed just one run on three hits to pick up his fourth win of the season on Friday. Jeffrey Pena earned his second save with a perfect seventh, striking out two batters in the frame. Bryan Caballero gave up three runs (two earned) to take the loss for Hagerstown.
 
Franco finished 1-for-2 in Game 1 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Crespo hit 1-for-2 with an RBI as well. Almanzar batted 1-for-2 with a triple and a run scored. Gilbert Gomez and Diego Urreta each went 1-for-3 in the game.
 
GAME 2: Hagerstown 1, Monroe 0
The pitchers stole the show on both sides of the field in Game 2, but the Hawks were the ones to score the game's only run. In the bottom of the fifth, John Hill drew a one-out walk, and then stole second with two down. Jackson then doubled to left, plating Hill to put the home team up, 1-0, with the only run of the game.
 
Peguero was brilliant as he has been all season, but took his first loss of the year after yielding just one run on two hits across six innings while striking out 10 batters. Hagerstown starter Michael Hawbaker went seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts for the win.
 
Yosmil Diaz went 1-for-2 with a double for the Mustangs in Game 2. Almanzar batted 1-for-3 in the game.
 
The Mustangs will look to begin a new winning streak on Sunday, April 2, when they host Rockland Community College at Dick Caswell Field in New Rochelle. Sunday's matchup is set to begin at 1 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