NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., March 12, 2024 – After a tough start to the season down south and in the Carolinas, the Monroe College Mustangs baseball team has now evened its record, defeating SUNY Sullivan on Tuesday at Dick Caswell Field, 8-4, for the team's eighth consecutive win. Monroe improves to 10-10 overall on the season, while the Generals drop to 1-2.
 
The Generals got Tuesday's matchup going quickly. Nicolas Nunez led off the game with a double just shy of the fence in left field. Cameron Mann followed with a walk, and then a fielder's choice off the bat of Obiel Sanchez left runners on first and third. Jhonny Ortiz then hit a fly ball to deep left, bringing Nunez home on a sacrifice fly to leave the visitors up, 1-0.
 
The Mustangs struck back in their first at-bat of the day. Diego Urreta and Gilbert Gomez both walked to open the first, and then Keldrin Rodriguez ripped a single up the middle, bringing Urreta home to tie the game. Jose Fernandez walked to load the bases, and then Jeremy De La Mota drew a two-out walk to bring in another run for Monroe. Eli Gries-Smith followed with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Rodriguez home to put the Mustangs up, 3-1.
 
Dylan Wolfson hit another leadoff double for the Generals to start the second. Jim Paredes followed with a single through the left side, bringing Wolfson home to make it a 3-2 score. Sullivan later had runners on second and third when Mann hit a fly ball to center, deep enough to bring in Paredes to tie the game at 3-3.
 
Fraelyn Rosario Pena and Urreta both walked to start the bottom of the second for Monroe. Gomez then sacrificed both runners into scoring position. A wild pitch brought Pena home, giving the Mustangs 4-3 advantage after two.
 
The Mustangs had things going again in the third, beginning with a one-out infield single by Gries-Smith. After he stole second, a wild pitch moved him over to third. Pena walked and then took second base. Urreta then singled past the third baseman, bringing both runners home to make it a 6-3 score in favor of the Mustangs.
 
The Generals got one back in the top of the fifth. Nunez hit a leadoff triple into the gap in right-center, and then a ground out by Mann brought him home, cutting Monroe's lead to 6-4.
 
The Mustangs quickly erased that run in their next at-bat. Gries-Smith dropped a bunt toward third and beat it out to lead off the frame. Christian Carratala then ripped a double straight down the left-field line, bringing Gries-Smith home to make it a 7-4 lead for Monroe. Pena sacrificed Carratala over to third, and then Urreta grounded out up the first-base line, bringing Carratala home to make it an 8-4 ballgame.
 
Sammuel Urena came on in relief in the third inning and was outstanding in the winning effort. He threw the final seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out an impressive 13 batters to pick up his first win of the season. Zach Rometo gave up four runs in 1.1 innings for Sullivan to take the loss.
 
Urreta knocked in three runs and scored once himself in a 1-for-3 effort in the win. Gries-Smith batted 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Rodriguez and Carratala both hit 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run, with Carratala's hit being a double. Jose Fernandez went 2-for-3 with a double. Pena finished 0-for-1, but managed to scored two runs, steal a base, draw two walks and lay down a successful sacrifice bunt.
 
The Mustangs go back on the road this Saturday, March 16, when they visit Delaware Technical Community College in Georgetown, Del. Saturday'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