LINCROFT, N.J., April 10, 2024 – The Monroe College Mustangs baseball team saw its five-run lead dissipate in the late innings of Wednesday's contest at NJCAA Div. III No. 4 Brookdale Community College, but before the Mustangs had a chance at redemption in extra innings, the game was called due to darkness, resulting in a 6-6 tie between the Mustangs and Jersey Blues.
 
The Mustangs got things going in the top of the second on Wednesday. Keldrin Rodriguez led off with a single, and then Jeremy De La Mota drew a walk. Eli Gries-Smith then came through with a two-RBI double to left, clearing the bases to put the Mustangs up, 2-0.
 
The Jersey Blues loaded the bases with nobody out after a pair of singles and a walk in the bottom of the second. Hunter Serrano then brought in a run with a groundout to short that cut Monroe's lead in half, but starter Daniel DiEdwards then struck the next two batters out to escape with the lead still intact.
 
The Mustangs then added to the lead in their next at-bat. After Jose Fernandez was hit by a pitch with one away, Rodriguez made the Jersey Blues pay with a two-run homer to right, extending Monroe's lead to 4-1.
 
Gries-Smith hit another double to lead off the sixth for Monroe. Anthony Fernandez then quickly drove him in with a single to center for a 5-1 lead. Baptiste Blancot then singled to left to put runners on the corners. Gilbert Gomez followed with a fly ball to left, bringing Fernandez home on a sacrifice fly to leave the Mustangs up, 6-1.
 
The Jersey Blues began their comeback in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and runners on first and second, Ryan Cole and Shane Andrus hit back-to-back doubles, bringing in three runs to make it a 6-4 ballgame.
 
Brookdale opened the bottom of the ninth with three straight singles to load the bases. A walk then brought in the Jersey Blues' first run of the inning. The Mustangs then made a pitching change, and Sammuel Urena immediately got Devon Smith to fly out to right, with the runner on second failing to tag up and being thrown out for a double play. One out away from victory, the Jersey Blues got a clutch single by Serrano to tie the game at 6-6 and put the winning run on third. Urena then got the next batter to ground out to second to finish the ninth with a 6-6 draw. The umpires then determined that it was too dark at the field to continue, resulting in the game's conclusion at 6-6.
 
DiEdwards went 6.2 innings on Wednesday, allowing four runs with three strikeouts, but did not factor into the decision. Gries-Smith finished an unblemished 4-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored in the game. Rodriguez hit 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a pair of runs. Anthony Fernandez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Blancot batted 2-for03 in the game.
 
The now 16-15-1 Mustangs have a new game on their schedule set for this Friday, April 12, when they host Citius Prep at Dick Caswell Field. Friday's matchup is set to begin at 12 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