SPARTANBURG, S.C., February 24, 2024 – The Monroe College Mustangs softball team earned its second win of the season on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader at Spartanburg Methodist College. The Mustangs picked up a 6-4 victory in Saturday's opener, but dropped a 6-1 decision in Game 2.
 
GAME 1: Monroe 6, Spartanburg Methodist 4
The Mustangs got going quickly in Saturday's opener. Kayla Suleski opened the game with a double to center, and was then sacrificed over to third by Gabrielle Gonzalez. With two outs, a passed ball allowed Suleski to come home, giving Monroe an early 1-0 lead.
 
Monroe's lead held until the Pioneers got up in the bottom of the third. With a runner on second, McKenzie Wessel doubled to center to tie the game. She later came home on an Avery Hawk RBI single to leave the home team up, 2-1.
 
The Mustangs finally broke through again in the top of the sixth. Marissa Thalassinos singled off the pitcher with one out, and then Angie Ordonez beat out a bunt to get two runners on. Maricela Colon then beat out another bunt to load the bases. Amber Miltenberg came through with a two-RBI double, pushing the Mustangs ahead, 3-2. Nadyelly Bones then came up to pinch hit, hitting a sacrifice to right to bring in Colon to make it a 4-2 game. Nathalie Mongrain then singled in Miltenberg to leave the Mustangs on top, 5-2.
 
Thalassinos led off the seventh with a solo homer, her first of the year, to stretch the lead to 6-2. In the bottom of the seventh, the Mustangs committed three straight errors with two outs, allowing the Pioneers to bring two runs across, but they were able to get the final out to hang on for a 6-4 win.
 
Gabriella Diaz earned her first win for the Mustangs on Saturday. She tossed all seven innings, allowing just two earned runs with five strikeouts. Maddie Handy took the loss for the Pioneers.
 
Miltenberg finished 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in the win. Thalassinos hit her first home run of the year in a 2-for-4 effort, knocking in a run while scoring twice herself. Suleski doubled in a 2-for-4 outing. Ordonez batted 1-for-1 with a run and two walks. Each of Colon, Mongrain and Diaz batted 1-for-4, with Colon also scoring a run.
 
GAME 2: Spartanburg Methodist 6, Monroe 1
Things did not go as smoothly for the Mustangs in Game 2, as the Pioneers put three runs on the board in the bottom of the first for a quick lead. Monroe got one back in the top of the fourth when Miltenberg singled in Ordonez to cut the deficit to two. The Pioneers got that run back in the fifth, and then added two more for good measure in the sixth to help the home team secure a 6-1 win.
 
Bailey Kiser went all seven innings for the Pioneers in Game 2 to earn the win. Bones shouldered the loss for Monroe.
 
Miltenberg capped off a strong day by going 1-for-2 with an RBI in Game 2. Ordonez batted 2-for-3 with a run and a double. Diaz hit 1-for-2, while Mongrain and Thalassinos each hit 1-for-3. Gonzalez also went 1-for-3 with a double.
 
The Mustangs wrap up their weekend in Carolina on Sunday, Feb. 25, when they visit USC Union in Union, S.C. Sunday's doubleheader 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 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