WEST WINDSOR, N.J., March 10, 2024 – The Monroe College Mustangs baseball team put a bow on its home-and-home four-game series against Mercer County Community College on Sunday, completing the four-game sweep of the Vikings with two more victories on Sunday in New Jersey. Monroe also extends its winning streak to seven straight games, improving its record to 9-10 on the season, while the Vikings drop to 8-6 overall.
 
GAME 1: Monroe 5, Mercer County 4
Monroe got things going quickly in Game 1, starting with a Diego Urreta double to open the game. Gilbert Gomez singled into right to put runners on first and third, and then a walk by Keldrin Rodriguez loaded the bases. Pedro Vasquez brought in the Mustangs' first run on a sacrifice fly to right that plated Urreta from third. Anthony Fernandez followed with another sacrifice fly, bringing Gomez home to leave Monroe up, 2-0.
 
The Mustangs got things going again in the third. Rodriguez led off with an infield single, and then Vasquez was hit by a pitch. Anthony Fernandez then reached on an error at first base, allowing Rodriguez to score for a 3-0 lead. Jeremy De La Mota followed with an RBI double down the left-field line to stretch the lead to four. Jose Fernandez then brought Anthony Fernandez home on a sacrifice fly, making it a 5-0 advantage for the Mustangs.
 
The Vikings worked their way back into the game in the fifth. With two on, Bannon Brazell hit an RBI double to get Mercer County on the board. The bases were loaded when Joe Gmitter hit an RBI single to make it a 5-2 score. With runners on second and third, Shane Hickey hit a bases-clearing double to center, leaving the Vikings down by a run. The Mustangs then turned to reliever Marcos Santiago with two outs, who got the next batter to ground out and end the inning with the Mustangs still up by a run.
 
Mercer County never threatened again in Sunday's opener. Santiago shut them down without a hit over the final two frames to wrap up the one-run victory for the Mustangs.
 
Brailyn Cruz earned the win in Game 1 after going 4.2 innings with five strikeouts. Marcos Santiago picked up his first save of the season with 2.1 scoreless and hitless frames with three strikeouts. Dyllon King dropped to 2-1 on the season after taking the loss for the Vikings.
 
Jose Fernandez went 1-for-2 with an RBI in the Game 1 win. De La Mota hit 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Urreta batted 2-for-2 with a run and a two-bagger. Eli Gries-Smith finished 2-for-4 in the game. Rodriguez scored a run after going 1-for-3. Gomez stole a base and scored a run in a 1-for-4 outing. Anthony Fernandez went 0-for-3, but was productive with two RBIs and a run scored.
 
GAME 2: Monroe 8, Mercer County 5
The beginning of Game 2 mirrored Game 1 with the Mustangs getting off to a hot start. Urreta and Gomez drew back-to-back walks to open the game, and then Jose Fernandez singled in Urreta for an immediate 1-0 lead. A wild pitch then allowing Gomez to score to give Monroe a 2-0 lead.
 
The Vikings jumped ahead with a big second inning. Three straight walks loaded the bases for them with nobody out. A wild pitch then brought in the Vikings' first run of the game. After two strikeouts, Jake Pope doubled to left-center, plating two runs to give the home team the lead. Torin McKenzie then singled in Pope, leaving the Vikings on top, 4-2, after two.
 
The Vikings struck again in the bottom of the third. Gmitter singled to lead off the frame, advancing to second on an errant throw. He moved to third on a ground out, and then came home on a wild pitch to make it a 5-2 lead for Mercer County.
 
The Mustangs then came storming back in the fourth. Vianney Goris walked to get things going. Two batters later, Gomez doubled him in to get back within two. Jose Fernandez followed with a single that left runners on first and third, and then Rodriguez doubled to left to bring Gomez home to make it a 5-4 game. De La Mota beat out a grounder that did not advance any runners to leave the bases loaded, and then a ground out by Anthony Fernandez was enough to bring Jose Fernandez home to tie the game at 5-5.
 
Christian Carratala walked to open the fifth for Monroe. Goris and Urreta both walked after him to load the bases. Gomez followed with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Carratala to put Monroe up, 6-5. The Mustangs had two on later in the frame for Rodriguez, who came through with a single into right, scoring Urreta to bring the lead to 7-5. De La Mota then reached on an error with two outs, allowing Jose Fernandez to come home and leave the Mustangs up by the eventual final score of 8-5.
 
Daniel DiEdwards came on in relief for Monroe in Game 2, tossing the final 5.1 frames without allowing an earned run on just three hits to pick up his third win of the season. Josh Youngberg took his first loss in relief for the Vikings.
 
Gomez finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs, two runs and a two-bagger in the Game 2 victory. Jose Fernandez hit 3-for-4 with a pair of runs and an RBI. Rodriguez batted 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Urreta scored twice in a 1-for-3 outing. Anthony Fernandez knocked in a run after hitting 1-for-3. De La Mota also brought in a run after going 1-for-5.
 
The Mustangs get Monday off before returning to action on Tuesday, March 12, against SUNY Sullivan at Dick Caswell Field in New Rochelle. Friday's nine-inning contest is set for a 3:30 p.m. first pitch.
 
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