HAMPTON, Va.–The Monroe University Mustangs baseball team (2-12 overall) defeated Virgínia Peninsula (2-6 overall) in the first game of the series, 17-7 on Friday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
·     The Mustangs jumped out to a 1-0 lead off an error by the second baseman, which allowed Gavin Marchese to score from third base.
·     In the bottom of the third inning, Virginia Peninsula evened the game at one off an error by the catcher, which scored the runner from third base to make the score 1-1.
·      The Mustangs regained the lead in the top of the fourth off an RBI single by Marcus Mercado to put the Mustangs ahead 2-1.
·     In the bottom of the fourth, the Gators took the lead off a two-RBI single by Cole Draper to put the Gators ahead 3-2.
·     In the top of the fifth inning, the Mustangs added a pair of runs off a fielder's choice by Matthew DeFisher, which scored two runs to put the Mustangs back in the lead 4-3.
·     In the top of the sixth inning, an RBI double by Tai Vic Tromp scored in a run to put the Mustangs ahead 5-3.
·     In the bottom of the inning, the Gators added one run off a stolen base to home-plate to cut the Mustang lead to 5-4.
·     In the top of the seventh inning, the Mustangs added two more runs coming off an RBI double by DeFisher and an RBI ground out by Jesus Nieves to give the Mustangs a 7-4 lead.
·     The Mustangs added three more runs in the inning off two RBI singles and an RBI double to put the Mustangs ahead 10-4.
·     In the top of the eighth inning, Alejandro Bernard launched a grand slam to left field to put the Mustangs ahead 14-4
·     In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Gators added a run off an error in right field to narrow the Mustangs' lead to 14-5.
·     The Gators added two more runs in the inning off a sacrifice ground out and fielder's choice to cut the Mustangs' lead to 14-7.
·     In the top of the ninth inning, Marchese would score from third off a passed ball to give the Mustangs a 15-7 lead.
·     The Mustangs added two more runs in the inning off a sacrifice fly and passed ball to put the Mustangs ahead 17-7.
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STATS AND NOTES
·     The last time the Mustangs tallied 17 runs in a game came on March 18, 2023, when they defeated Rockland Community College 17-1.
·     Bernard led the way on offense, tallying five RBIs while going 3-5 at the dish.
·     Alan Tejada started the game for the Mustangs, going 4.2 innings and allowing two earned runs and three hits.
·     The Mustangs tallied 16 hits in the game, with three hitters tallying three hits each.
·     Monroe also smacked four doubles in the game, which is the most in a single game this season.
UP NEXT
The Mustangs conclude the series with Virginia Peninsula on Saturday, February 20, for a double-header beginning at 6:00 p.m.
