Huge day inside the batter's box propels the Colts past Monroe University - Bronx Express

-Middletown, NY 

On Wednesday March 26th SUNY Orange defeated Monroe Express by a score of 15-6 win. Brian Saldana drove in four runs on two hits to lead the Colts past Monroe Express, doubling in the second inning scoring two runs and hitting an inside-the-park home run in the seventh inning driving in two runs. 

The Colts managed to open up the scoring column after Michael Fontaine singled on a ground ball to 3rd base to drive in teammate Jadin O'Neil making the score 1-0 in the bottom of the 1st inning. The Colts then scored six runs on five hits in the very next inning, with two outs and a runner on 3rd Niko Mandich singles on a ground ball to center field to drive in Jonas Kerzner giving the Colts a 2-0 lead. With a man on 1st and second base shortstop J. O'Neil made his second appearance of the game at the plate and singled on a ground ball to left field driving in speedy teammate N. Mandich who scored from second base. 

Freshman J. O'Neil and Jackson Atwell have been aggressive base runners all year and are a threat anytime they get on base. As the count stood at 1-0 the Colts pulled off a double steal with the speedy Freshmen to advance to second and 3rd base and with some heads up base running J. Atwell came around to score from second base and J. O'Neil would steal second and 3rd base. As runners stood and 1st and 3rd with two outs the big hitting P/IF B. Saldana stepped up to the plate and drilled a high fly ball deep into center field scoring J. O'Neil from 3rd and M. Fontaine from 1st, Dylan Williams would finish their six run innings with a single into right field to drive in B. Saldana.

After scoring seven runs in the first two innings the Colts, Monroe Express was able to rally back as they scored six runs in 4 innings to cut the lead to two runs. In the bottom of the seventh inning the Colts scored seven runs on six hits. Ben Intili started the Colts scoring spree after hitting into a fielders choice driving in the Colts 9th run of the game. After J. Atwell was able to draw the walk to make the bases loaded with #1 AJ Grant up to the plate who smashed a line drive to center field driving in a run and after some heads up base running by the Colts and a costly error by Monroe B. Intili and J. Atwell came around and scored giving the Colts a six run lead.  With a runner on 2nd #9 Matt Nixon doubles on a fly ball to left field scoring teammate A. Grant.

Standing with a seven point lead in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Colts have a man on second base and just one out as B. Saldana stepped up to the plate and smashes an inside-the-park-homerun into right field to make the game 15-6.

Pitcher Anthony Papagni earned the win for the Colts surrendering zero hits and zero runs over two innings while striking out and walking one batter. 

In this game the Colts had a great game inside the batters box piling up 15 runs on 13 hits, a team total of seven walks. J. O'Neil and Kaen Smith each stole multiple bases. The Colts ran wild on the base path with a total of 13 stolen bases.