MIDDLETOWN, N.Y, April 9, 2024 – The Monroe College Mustangs softball team took the back end of a doubleheader at SUNY Orange on Tuesday. The Colts picked up an 11-3 win over the Mustangs in Game 1, but Monroe bounced back to earn a 5-2 victory to close out the day.
 
GAME 1: Orange 11, Monroe 3 (5 INN)
The Mustangs got off to a quick start in Game 1 when a leadoff single by Gabrielle Gonzalez was misplayed and eventually brought Gonzalez home for an immediate 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Orange then evened the score in the bottom of the first when an errant throw on a steal of third allowed a runner to come home and make it a 1-1 game.
 
The Mustangs jumped ahead once again in the top of the second. Maricela Colon led off with a single and then stole second. Georgia Burr then doubled her in to put Monroe ahead once again. Nathalie Mongrain then immediately singled Burr in from second to take a 3-1 advantage.
 
The Colts later rallied in the bottom of the fourth, putting three runs on the board to take over, 4-3. In the fifth, the Colts drew nine walks and a hit-by-pitch, totaling seven runs in the frame to force a run-rule finish with an 11-3 score.
 
Gianna Catletti got the win for the Colts in Game 1 to improve to 5-3. Sarah Wall took the loss after yielding three earned runs (four total) in four frames.
 
Burr finished 1-for-2 with an RBI, a run and a double in Game 1. Gonzalez hit 2-for-3 with a run and a double of her own. Veronika Anderson finished 2-for-3, while Marissa Thalassinos went 1-for-3. Mongrain knocked in a run in a 1-for-2 effort, while Colon scored once after going 1-for-2 as well.
 
GAME 2: Monroe 5, Orange 2
The Mustangs fell behind early in Game 2, with the Colts bringing in both of their runs in the bottom of the first on a bases-loaded walk and an RBI single.
 
The Mustangs began to work their way back into the game in the top of the third. Mongrain singled and then advanced on a passed ball with one out. An error on a grounder by Suleski put runners on the corners, but Mongrain was then picked off at third for the second out. Gonzalez then hit a double to left, bringing Suleski around to score and make it a 2-1 game.
 
A pair of errors in the top of the fourth had the Mustangs in business. With two outs, a third error allowed Anderson to come home, tying the game at 2-2.
 
The Mustangs then took over in the top of the fifth. Suleski led off with a single, and then stole second. Gonzalez followed with an RBI single to give the Mustangs the lead. With two outs, Thalassinos got things going again with a single to center, and then came home on a double by Anderson to leave Monroe ahead, 4-2.
 
The Mustangs got on the board once more in the sixth. Burr reached on an error to lead off the inning. Judaiah Gourdine then pinch ran for her and proceeded to steal both second and third. Suleski brought her in on a single up the middle, making it a 5-2 ballgame in favor of the Mustangs.
 
Colon made her first start in the circle in Game 2, tossing four innings and allowing just two runs to earn her first win. Wall took over in the fifth and did not allow a hit with six strikeouts over the final three frames for her first save. Molly Martin took the loss for the Colts.
 
Suleski batted 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored in the win. Gonzalez finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a double. Anderson hit a double, knocked a run and scored once herself in a 2-for-4 outing. Mongrain went 1-for-2 in the game, while Thalassinos hit 1-for-4 with a run.
 
Monroe was scheduled to play next on Thursday, April 11, but the games were postponed due to expected inclement weather. The Mustangs are currently scheduled to play at Hudson Valley Community College on Friday, April 12, and then at Corning Community College on Saturday, April 13, but both dates are in question due to more poor weather expected in the coming days. Follow the Mustangs on social media and check MonroeCollegeMustangs.com frequently for the latest updates.
 
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