Miami, FL - A seventh-inning surge briefly put Monroe University in front, but a late rally by Miami Dade lifted the Sharks past the Mustangs, 10–4, in nonconference action.
Monroe struck first and carried momentum into the middle innings before the Sharks capitalized on timely hits and a big eighth inning to pull away.
The Mustangs opened the scoring in the first. Jesus Nieves reached and later scored on a run-scoring single to center by Marcus Mercado, giving Monroe an early 1–0 edge.
Porter Trees set the tone on the mound, turning in four steady innings. The right-hander allowed just one run on four hits while striking out two, keeping the Sharks off balance and preserving the lead through the early frames.
Miami Dade evened the game in the third, then moved ahead 2–1 in the sixth on an RBI single, setting the stage for Monroe's biggest swing of the night.
In the seventh, Arnaldo Gonzalez delivered.
After Juan Garcia and Matthew DeFisher reached base, Gonzalez launched a three-run home run to center, flipping the score to 4–2 and energizing the Mustang dugout. It marked Monroe's lone extra-base hit and accounted for three of the club's four runs.
The lead was short-lived.
Miami Dade answered immediately in the bottom half, using a sacrifice fly and back-to-back RBI singles to tie the game and then take a 5–4 advantage.
The Sharks created separation in the eighth. A two-run double and a series of passed balls and wild pitches helped plate five more runs as Miami Dade stretched the margin to 10–4.
Monroe finished with five hits. Nieves, Mercado, Nair Jamanika, Garcia, and Gonzalez each recorded one, while the Mustangs drew four walks but were limited by 14 strikeouts.
Out of the bullpen, Ronald Peña worked three innings before Diego Caraballo-Rodriguez and Ricardo Feliz closed the game. Feliz struck out three in his inning of work.
Despite the late setback, Monroe showed flashes offensively and received a quality start on the mound. The Mustangs now look to regroup as they continue play this week.
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).
