KEYSER, W.V., May 6, 2023 – Carlos Peguero threw a seven-inning no-hitter in Saturday's first elimination game in the Region 20 Championship at Golden Park, lifting the Mustangs to a 9-0 victory over Hagerstown Community College to advance in the tournament. With an automatic spot at the East District Championship on the line in Saturday's final elimination game, the Mustangs rallied back from a six-run deficit against WVU Potomac State College to force extra innings, but the game was suspended after 11 innings due to darkness. The elimination game will be continued on Sunday, May 7, at 10 a.m. to determine which team continues on to take on Harford Community College for the Region 20 Championship.
 
ELIMINATION GAME: Monroe 9, Hagerstown 0 (7 INN)
Carlos Peguero was the big story in Saturday's elimination game, as the sophomore tossed a seven-inning no-hitter to help lift the Mustangs to the crucial victory. Across seven frames he did not allow a hit or a run, striking out 10 batters while walking just two to pick up the in to keep the Mustangs alive and in contention.
 
The Mustangs got off to a quick start in Friday's opener. Gilbert Gomez was hit by a pitch with one out in the first and then stole second. Diego Urreta followed with a single to put runners on the corners, and then a fielder's choice by Ronald Almanzar brought Gomez home for a quick lead. Matthew Franco followed with a double, plating Almanzar from first to leave the Mustangs up, 2-0.
 
Gomez reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the third. Almanzar then hit a one-out single to put runners on the corners, but then got into scoring position himself after stealing second. Franco walked to load the bases, and then with two outs, Andres Castro reached on an error at third that brought in two runs for a 4-0 lead. Pedro Vasquez followed by beating out a ground down the third-base line that was also thrown away after he reached, bringing in another two runs to leave the Mustangs up, 3-0.
 
The Mustangs did the rest of their damage in the bottom of the sixth. Ivan Santos was hit by a pitch, and then Yosmil Diaz drew a walk. Pedro Crespo then plated Santos with an RBI single to put the Mustangs up by seven. Gomez followed with a sacrifice fly to right to bring Diaz home for an 8-0 lead. Urreta then singled to right to bring Crespo home to reach the eventual final score of 9-0.
 
Bryce Romsburg took the loss on the hill for Hagerstown after yielding six runs across five frames.
 
Urreta finished 2-for-4 with an RBI in Friday's opener. Crespo hit 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Almanzar scored twice and knocked in a run after going 1-for-3. Franco went 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI and a run. Castro batted 1-for-3 with a double and a run. Vasquez plated a run after hitting 1-for-2. Gomez did not register a hit, but still managed to score twice and bring in a run.
 
ELIMINATION GAME: Monroe 9, Potomac State 9 (Suspended after 11 innings)
The Catamounts got a quick jump on the Mustangs in the top of the second. With runners on first and third, Sammy Bradfield hit an RBI single to put Potomac State on top. With the bases loaded and one away, Brady Whitacre hit a sacrifice fly to give the Catamounts a 2-0 edge.
 
Potomac State added to its lead in the top of the third. With two on, Nik Rubendall doubled to clear the bases and make it a 4-0 game. Two batters later, Kris Sutton doubled in Rubendall to push the lead to 5-0.
 
The Mustangs then chipped away at the deficit in the home half of the third. Diaz, Crespo and Gomez hit three straight singles to open the frame and bring in Monroe's first run. A groundout by Urreta moved two runners into scoring position, and then a sacrifice fly by Almanzar plated Crespo to get within three. Franco followed with an RBI single to bring Gomez home and leave the Mustangs within two at 5-3.
 
The Catamounts expanded their lead in the top of the fifth. Morgan Little led off with a double, and then Chance Satcho doubled with two outs to bring Little home and make it a 6-3 lead for Potomac State.
 
With two outs in the top of the eighth, Jimmy Sadler kept the inning alive with a single. Rubendall then doubled him in to make it a 7-3 score. Little then hit a two-run homer, giving the Catamounts a 9-3 advantage late in the game.
 
The Mustangs once again began to work their way back in the bottom of the eighth. Almanzar walked with one out, and then Franco doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Jeremy De La Mota followed with another double to clear the bases and make it a 9-5 game. With two down, Jordy Batista singled in De La Mota to bring the score to 9-6.
 
Gomez led off the ninth for Monroe with a double to immediately start the threat for the Mustangs. Urreta drew a walk, and then Almanzar doubled them both in to get within a run. A grounder back to the pitcher by Franco was then thrown away, allowing Almanzar to score and tie the game at 9-9, but the Mustangs were unable to bring in Franco after that, sending the game to extra innings.
 
The Catamounts had an opportunity to take the lead in the 10th after loading the bases via hit-by-pitch, dropped third strike and an error, but the Mustangs were able to keep them off the board. They loaded the bases with two outs again in the 11th before the final batter of the inning struck out. The Mustangs had two on in the home half of the 11th after a leadoff single by Urreta and a two-out hit-by-pitch by De La Mota, but they were also unable to break the tie. After the final out of the 11th, the umpires and coaches determined it was too dark to continue, suspending the game until Sunday.
 
This story will be continued when the game is completed. To see where things stand as of Saturday's suspension, check out our live stats page: MonroeCollegeMustangs.com/BASELiveStats
 
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