TAMPA, Fl.–The Monroe University Mustangs baseball team (1-6 overall) dropped the series opener against Hillsborough Community College (5-4 overall) by a score of 7-3 on Friday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
·     The first run of the game was scored in the bottom of the fourth inning off a single to center field by Sebastian Peralta, scoring Zach Walker from second following a single and a fielder's choice to give Hillsborough a 1-0 lead.
·     Later in the bottom of the sixth inning, Peralta launched a solo home-run to left field to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
·     In the bottom of the seventh inning, Charles Stevens hit the Hawks' second homer of the game to give Hillsborough a 3-0 lead.
·     Then, in the top of the eighth inning, the bats came alive for the Mustangs after a walk by
Alejandro Bernard and a single by
Tai Vic Tromp to center led to a three-run homer by
Gavin Marchese to tie the game at 3-3.
·     Hillsborough responded in the bottom of the inning with a pair of RBI doubles by Justin Allen and Luke Jackson to give the Hawks a 6-3 lead.
·     Later in the inning, Chase Conti ripped a single to left field, scoring Jackson from second base to take the 7-3 lead and victory.
STATS AND NOTES
·     Starting pitcher
Victor Ceballos-Polanco went six innings for the Mustangs, allowing just two earned runs, striking out four and walking only two batters.
·     Raydher Pena-Diaz pitched 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and five earned runs, and struck out one.
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Carlos Pimentel also pitched a third of an inning, allowing just one hit.
·     Marchese tallied his first home-run of the year and first of his career.
·     The Mustangs tallied three runs on four hits, while the Hawks recorded seven runs on nine hits and committed two errors.
·     This game was the first ever appearance between Monroe and Hillsborough.
UP NEXT
·     The Mustangs conclude the series with the Hawks as the two face-off in a double-header on Saturday, February 7, beginning at 12:00 p.m.
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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.
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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).
