WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, N.J., April 4, 2024 – The Monroe College Mustangs softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader at Mercer County Community College on Thursday.
 
GAME 1: Mercer County 11, Monroe 3 (6 INN)
The Mustangs grabbed a quick lead in the top of the first of Game 1. With one out, Angie Ordonez doubled to right, and then Marissa Thalassinos beat out an infield single to put runners on first and third. The Mustangs then executed a double steal to bring Ordonez home and leave the Mustangs up, 1-0.
 
The Vikings erased Monroe's lead in the bottom of the second. A pair of walks and a single loaded the bases with two outs for the home team. Ada Kaschl then drew the third walk of the inning to bring in a run and tie the game. Kelci O'Dell then kept it going with a two-RBI single to put the Vikings ahead, 3-1.
 
Mercer County extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth. After a walk by Kaschl, O'Dell hit an RBI double to right to make it a 4-1 game. Three batters later, O'Dell was on third when a ground out by Maya Patel brought her home to leave the Vikings up, 5-1.
 
The Mustangs got going again in the top of the fifth, beginning with a one-out single by Gabrielle Gonzalez. Kayla Suleski then singled to center, and then Ordonez beat out an infield single to lead the bases. A ground out by Thalassinos brought Gonzalez home to get within three. Miltenberg then singled to left, bringing in another run, but also seeing Ordonez thrown out at the plate, sending the game to the bottom of the fifth with a 5-3 score.
 
The Vikings quickly loaded the bases with nobody out in home half of the fifth. A passed ball brought in a run to make it a 6-3 game. A few batters later, a bases-loaded walk by Cierra Acevedo put the home team up by four. Patel then knocked in two more runs with a single up the middle, making it a 9-3 ballgame heading to the sixth.
 
The Vikings made sure the sixth was the final inning of Game 1. After Angelina Guida singled to open the inning, Abby Bell hit a two-run homer to left, walking it off with an 11-3 win via run-rule finish.
 
Izzy Bonacci picked up the win for the Vikings in Game 1 to improve to 6-2. Sarah Wall shouldered the loss for Monroe in the circle.
 
Ordonez finished 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Game 1. Gonzalez batted 1-for-2 with a run. Wall doubled in a 1-for-3 effort. Thalassinos and Miltenberg each went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the game, while Suleski hit 1-for-3 with a run.
 
GAME 2: Mercer County 5, Monroe 4
Game 2 was much tighter than Thursday's opener, but the Vikings managed to take the first lead of the game this time around. In the bottom of the first, Acevedo was on second when an error after a ground out allowed her to score to leave the Vikings up, 1-0.
 
Mercer County doubled its lead in the home half of the third. With a runner on second, O'Dell hit an RBI double to center, making it a 2-0 advantage for the Vikings.
 
The Mustangs hit their way back into the game in the top of the fifth. With two outs, Gonzalez kept the inning alive with a single into left. After stealing second, a double by Suleski brought her home to get Monroe on the board. Ordonez followed with an RBI single to right to bring in Suleski and tie the game at 2-2.
 
The Vikings quickly jumped back ahead in the bottom of the fifth. With a runner on first, Jessica Adams hit a one-out triple, giving Mercer County a 3-2 edge heading to the sixth.
 
The Mustangs came up clutch in the top of the seventh to take over the lead. With one out, Maricela Colon singled and then stole second to get the tying run in scoring position. Gonzalez then beat out a bunt single, on which a hustling Colon was able to score from second, knotting things up at 3-3. Suleski then sacrificed, allowing Gonzalez to advance all the way to third. Ordonez then reached on an error with two outs that brought in Gonzalez to put the Mustangs ahead, 4-3.
 
Shea Krebs reached on an error to open the seventh for the Vikings. With two outs, O'Dell kept the Vikings alive with a single into center to get two runners on. Acevedo then delivered the final blow with a two-RBI double, giving the Vikings a walkoff win, 5-4.
 
Krebs got the win for the Vikings in Game 2 to improve to 7-1 on the season. Gabriella Diaz shouldered the loss despite allowing just two earned runs with six strikeouts across 6.2 innings.
 
Gonzalez went 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI in Game 2. Suleski batted 1-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run. Colon hit 1-for-3 with a run scored. Ordonez knocked in a run in a 1-for-4 outing. Georgia Burr and Nathalie Mongrain each finished 1-for-3.
 
The Mustangs take another short trip into New Jersey this Sunday, April 7, to visit NJCAA Div. III No. 4 Rowan College South Jersey-Gloucester in Sewell, N.J. Sunday's doubleheader 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