UTICA, N.Y. – Russell Sage College saw its inaugural spring come to a close in the third and deciding game of the Empire 8 Conference Semifinals with this afternoon's 11-7 loss at Utica.

Catcher Dillon Maxon (Troy, NY/Tamarac), a grad student, went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI to lead the Gators (14-27-1) in the setback. Freshman outfielder Jacob Coonan (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) was 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while freshman outfielder Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI.

After Utica, the two seed, used three runs in the second and three more in the sixth to get out to a 9-3 advantage, RSC, seeded third, attempted to climb back in the game with four runs in the seventh. Gumzan recorded his two RBI with a double, while freshman infielder Frank Colletta (Holtsville, NY/St. John The Baptist) and freshman infielder Christian Brown (Troy, NY/Troy) accounted for the other markers with RBI singles. However the Pioneers answered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to maintain some breathing room.

Utica (21-16), which will now play in next weekend's E8 Championship Series, also a best-of-three, received a 5-for-5 afternoon from junior infielder/pitcher Brendan May. Designated hitter Joe Battista, a grad student, and junior outfielder Dom Fasolo each went 2-for-4 with a run scored. May scored a pair of runs, while Battista totaled three RBI.

Notes: Maxon (above) batted .727 (8-for-11) across the three-game postseason series...The catcher, who slugged .818 and reached base at a 72.7 percent clip, scored three runs...He batted .609 with eight runs scored and seven RBI across the final eight contests of the spring.

Gator Golf Classic: The 17th annual Gator Golf Classic will be held on June 3rd at Colonie Country Club. Registration for the event is now open at: alumni.sage.edu/gatorgolf2022

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