New Rochelle, NY – The Monroe University softball team concluded the Monroe Invitational with another doubleheader split on Saturday, with a 12-6 loss to USC Union proceeding a 12-4 victory over USC Sumter.
The Mustangs started off hot against Union only to cool down in the middle innings. Freshmen
Antreece Coleman,
Lizbeth Zambrano and
Yarializ Maldonado all collected RBIs to put Monroe up 3-0 early. But the Bantams rallied to put up 12 consecutive runs.
Sophomore
Gabriella Diaz and freshman
Emily Hernandez drove in runs in the final inning, but it was too little too late. Hernandez was joined by Maldonado and sophomore
Gabrielle Gonzalez with multiple hits in the ball game.
Unlike yesterday's matchup against Sumter, the Mustangs fell behind early thanks to a two-run home run in the first inning. They quickly recovered, however, to take full control of the contest.
Off the back of sophomore
Nadyelly Bones Rodriguez — who threw a complete game and allowed just two hits following the first inning — the offense began to take advantage of Sumter's miscues in the middle stages of the five-inning victory.
A four-run third was followed by a massive eight-run fourth inning that put the Mustangs in clear control. Hernandez began the frame with a solo blast to left field. The next seven runs were scored via passed balls. Monroe got on base via walk six times in the inning.
It was also another impressive day on the basepaths for Monroe as it stole 14 bases on the day. Gonzalez led the team with four, while four other players — Maldonado, Diaz, sophomore
Brianna Talley and freshman
Reese Surratt — stole twice.
On the year, the Mustangs have swiped 152 bags on 168 attempts.
The Mustangs will next travel to Catonsville, MD, for a doubleheader on Friday against CCBC-Catonsville.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University 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.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (
Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (
@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (
@monroemustangs).
