TAMPA, Fl.–The Monroe University Mustangs baseball team (1-8 overall) concluded the series with Hillsborough College (7-4 overall) as the Mustangs fell 11-0 in game one and 10-6 in game two on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)

·       Hillsborough got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Nick Palmi singled on a pop fly to the shortstop, scoring one run and putting the Hawks ahead 1-0.

·      Later in the inning, Justin Allen would launch a homer to center field, scoring three runs to put the Hawks ahead 4-0.

·      Hillsborough added to their early lead in the bottom of the second inning after Chase Conti tripled down the right field line, scoring Luke Jasckson from first to give the Hawks a 5-0 lead.

·     Shortly after, Leo Lopez ripped a single to center field, scoring Conti from third to put the Hawks ahead 6-0.

·      Hillsborough would tack on four more runs in the second inning courtesy of bases-loaded walks and a single to put the Hawks ahead 10-0 after two innings.

·      In the bottom of the fourth inning, an RBI single to left field by Nick Palmi would give the Hawks an 11-0 lead.

Game 2

·      The Hawks took the first lead of the game in the bottom of the first inning off a single by Sebastian Peralta to give Hillsborough a 1-0 lead.

·      In the bottom of the third inning, after a double to right field by Lopez, Nick Palmi would launch a triple to center field, scoring Lopez to put the Hawks ahead 2-0.

·      The Mustangs came back in the fourth inning as an RBI single by Ryan Marchina would score Franklin Francisco to cut the Hawks' lead to 2-1.

·      The Hawks would tally two more runs in the bottom half of the fourth courtesy of an RBI single by Jackson and a fielder's choice RBI ground out by Almonte to give the Hawks a 4-1 lead.

·      In the top of the fifth inning, Gavin Marchese continued his impressive weekend with a two-run homer to cut the Hawks' lead to 4-3.

·      Matthew DeFisher also capitalized for the Mustangs with an RBI double to even the game at 4-4.

·      The Hawks answered back in the bottom of the fourth inning with a grand slam off the bat of Almonte to give Hillsborough an 8-4 lead.

·       Shortly after, Walker would tack on another run for the Hawks off an RBI double to left field to give the Hawks a 9-4 lead.

·      The Mustangs would add a run in the top of the seventh inning off a sacrifice fly by DeFisher, scoring Marchese from third to narrow the Hawks' lead to 9-5.

·      Both sides would tally one more run in the game, leading to the Mustangs falling 10-6.

STATS AND NOTES

·      Mason Berna opened the game for the Mustangs. He gave up six hits and eight runs over one inning, striking out two and walking two.

·      Corey Sheridan stepped on the hill first for Hillsborough College. He surrendered zero hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out four and walking one.

·      The last time the Mustangs were no-hit in a game came on February 22, 2025, against Harford Community College.

·      Marchese had a solid game in game two, going 3-5 with a home run and two RBIs.

·      Porter Tree's started in game two for the Mustangs, going four innings allowing four runs on six hits, and tallying one strikeout.

UP NEXT

·      The Mustangs return to action on Friday, February 13, when they begin a four-game series at LSU-Eunice. First-pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.

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).