ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College played its first-ever home games this afternoon, hosting a doubleheader with MCLA at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. The Trailblazers took both ends of the non-conference twin-bill 5-4, 6-3.

Following the ceremonial first pitch from RSC President Christopher Ames, the visitors got right to work, putting across a run in the first. MCLA (8-7) increased its advantage with a trio of unearned runs in the third.

In the fourth, the Gators got on the board. With two down, freshman outfielder Jacob Coonan (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) singled home freshman infielder Christian Brown (Troy, NY/Troy).

RSC made things interesting in its last at-bat. Back-to-back doubles by freshman infielder Frank Colletta (Holtsville, NY/St. John The Baptist) and catcher Dillon Maxon (Troy, NY/Tamarac), a grad student, trimmed the deficit to 5-2. Brown followed with a two-run homer to left to make it a one-run game. The Gators brought the potential go-ahead run to the plate with two outs, but MCLA senior right-hander James Sneyd induced a groundout to shut the door.

Brown, who reached base in all four of his plate appearances, finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI. Maxon and Coonan each went 2-for-4.

Sophomore outfielder Ty Mazzeo was 3-for-4 with two RBI to lead MCLA. Senior outfielder Austin Rachiele set the table effectively, reaching base safely in all four plate appearances and scoring two runs.

A four-run MCLA sixth proved to be the difference in the nightcap.

Coonan went 2-for-3, while Maxon and freshman infielder Zachary Figueras (Apoka, FL/Windermere) had RBI hits in the loss.

Coonan finished 4-for-6 on the day. Brown reached base in six of his eight plate appearances, while Maxon was 3-for-7 with two doubles, and two RBI in the Saturday DH.

Rachiele went 2-for-2 with six walks, four runs scored and an RBI to lead the Trailblazers.