UNION, S.C.–The Monroe University Mustangs softball team (4-0 overall) continued play in South Carolina, picking up a pair of wins against USC Union (0-2 overall) by scores of 19-1 and 12-5 on Sunday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED (Game 1)

·      In the top of the first inning, Reese Surratt would reach first on a hit by a pitch. After she stole second and advanced to third on a Kerris Johnson groundout, Richeilys Rodriguez would fly out to second, scoring Surratt from third to put the Mustangs ahead 1-0.

·      In the top of the second inning, a triple by Gabriella Pugliese would score Veronika Anderson from second base to put Monroe ahead 2-0.

·      Then, in the top of the third inning, a single by Rodriguez would score a pair of runs from second and third to give the Mustangs a commanding 4-0 lead.

·      Later in the inning, Anderson would rip a double to center field, scoring two more runs to give Monroe a 6-0 lead.

·      The Mustangs closed out the top half of the inning with an error by the third baseman, scoring Anderson from third to give the Mustangs a 7-0 lead.

·      In the top of the fourth inning, the Mustangs would tack on one more run coming off a fielder's choice by Johnson, scoring Zoe Thomson from third to give the Mustangs an 8-0 lead.

·      Later in the inning, Zambrano would rip an RBI single third scoring Surratt to give the Mustangs a 9-0 lead.

·      Then Anderson followed with a triple to right field, scoring Zambrano to give the Mustangs a 10-0 lead.

·      In the same inning, Anderson would score for the Mustangs off a wild pitch to increase the Mustangs' lead to 11-0.

·      In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bantams scored their first run of the game with a home run off the bat of Skyler Brown to narrow the Mustangs' lead to 11-1.

·      In the top of the fifth inning, Rodriguez launched an RBI single to center field, scoring Surratt from second to give the Mustangs a 12-1 lead.

·      The following batter, Zambrano, ripped a double to right field, scoring Johnson to increase the Mustangs' lead to 13-1.

·      In the same inning, an RBI single by Anderson scored Rodriguez to put the Mustangs ahead 14-1.

·      The Mustangs finished in the fifth inning, adding five more runs to put them ahead 19-1.

Game 2

·      After a pair of singles by Surratt Johnson in the top of the first inning, Rodriguez would rip a single to center field, scoring Surratt and Johnson to put the Mustangs ahead 2-0.

·      In the bottom of the first inning, the Bantams would score their first run of the game after a RBI double by Leah Taylor to narrow the Mustangs' lead to 2-1.

·      In the top of the second inning, after a double by Gabriella Pugliese, Thomson fired a two-run homer to give the Mustangs a 4-1 lead.

·      Zambrano later closed out the second inning with an RBI double to left field, scoring Surratt to give the Mustangs a 5-1 lead.

·      The Bantams added one run in the bottom of the second inning off a home run by Skyler Brown to cut the Mustangs' lead to 5-2.

·      In the top of the fourth inning, Rodriguez would smack another double, scoring Surratt to give the Mustangs a 6-2 lead.

·      In the bottom of the fourth, USC Union added two more runs after an RBI single and an error at third base to narrow the Mustangs' lead to 6-4.

·      The Bantams added one more run in the inning off a sacrifice fly to cut the Mustangs' lead to 6-5.

·      In the top of the fifth inning, Carsyn O'Daniels ripped an RBI single, scoring Alexis Ortiz to put the Mustangs ahead 7-5.

·      Later in the inning, Zoe Thomson would launch a single to center field and score two runs for the Mustangs to put them ahead 9-5.

·      In the top of the sixth inning, the Mustangs would add another run off a bases-loaded walk by Zoe Thomson to put Monroe ahead 10-5.

·      The Mustangs would add two more runs in the seventh inning off a pair of RBI doubles by Anderson and Bauer to put the Mustangs ahead 12-5.

STATS AND NOTES

·      The Mustangs now lead the all-time series over USC Union 10-6.

·      Monroe has now won their last four games against the Lady Bantams.

·      This is the first time the Mustangs have tallied double-digit runs against USC Union.

·      19 runs is the largest amount the Mustangs have scored against USC Union in program history.

·      Anderson and Rodriguez led the way in game one, with both tallying four RBIs. Anderson recorded four hits and four runs, while Rodriguez had two hits and two runs scored.

·      Zoe Thomson was in the circle in game one, going all five innings, striking out five batters and allowing only one run.

·      Sophia Davis started in the circle in game two, going 3.2 innings, allowing only three earned runs.

·      Rodriguez led the offense in game two, going 2-5 with three RBIs.

UP NEXT

·      The Mustangs continue their South Carolina road trip with a double-header against USC Sumter on Monday, February 9. First-pitch is set for 12:00 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).