LUFKIN, Texas, February 16, 2024 – The Monroe College Mustangs softball team took on two different opponents on Friday. They opened the day with a matchup against host Angelina College, falling to the Roadrunners, 9-1. The Mustangs then took on No. 15-ranked Butler Community College, dropping a 12-4 decision to the Grizzlies.
 
GAME 1: Angelina 9, Monroe 1 (5 INN)
Friday's opener got off to a rough start, as the Roadrunners scored five runs in the bottom of the first. The home team then tallied three more runs for an 8-0 lead after two innings. Monroe picked up a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Aisling Wilson that brought Gabrielle Gonzalez home. The Roadrunners then brought one more run home in the bottom of the fifth to walk it off via the run rule.
 
Paige Castillo picked up the win for the Roadrunners while Sarah Wall took the loss in the circle for the Mustangs.
 
Each of Marissa Thalassinos, Angie Ordonez and Veronika Anderson went 1-for-2 in Friday's opener. Wilson finished 0-for-0 with a walk and an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Ordonez and Gabrielle Gonzalez each stole a base in the game.
 
GAME 2: #15 Butler 12, Monroe 4 (6 INN)
Monroe's matchup with the Grizzlies got off to a much better start, as the Mustangs immediately got on the board in the top of the first. Gonzalez walked to lead off the game, and then Thalassinos singled to center. Ordonez drew another walk to load the bases, and two batters later, Amber Miltenberg picked up the third base-on-balls of the inning to bring Monroe's first run in. Maricela Colon then hit into a fielder's choice, but it was enough to bring Thalassinos home and leave the Mustangs up, 2-0.
 
Unfortunately, the lead did not last for long. The 15th-ranked Grizzlies plated five runs in the bottom of the first to jump into the lead.
 
The Mustangs rallied again in the top of the second to keep the game close. Nadyelly Bones and Gabriella Diaz hit back-to-back singles. Two batters later, Thalassinos reached on a walk to load the bases. Ordonez hit a liner off the pitcher for an RBI single to make it a 5-3 game. Wilson brought in another run on a ground out to short, leaving the Mustangs down a run at 5-4.
 
The Grizzlies added to their lead with a run in the bottom of the second. They then tacked on another two runs in the third to make it an 8-4 game. Both teams were quiet in the fourth and fifth before the Grizzlies put together one last big inning in the sixth, scoring four runs to reach the eight-run rule and end the game, 12-4.
 
Addy Ewing came on in the third for Butler and picked up her second win of the year. Bones got the loss in the start for the Mustangs.
 
Diaz batted 2-for-2 with a run scored in Game 2 for Monroe. Georgia Burr later replaced her and went 1-for-1 herself. Thalassinos hit 1-for-2 with a run, while Ordonez and Colon each finished 1-for-3 with an RBI. Bones turned in a 1-for-2 effort.
 
The Mustangs get Saturday off before wrapping up the Texas trip in Tyler, Texas, on Sunday, Feb. 18, taking on Tyler Junior College for the first time in program history. Sunday's doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. CT).
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 20 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well the Monroe College marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven 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 (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs). Read Full Article