SANFORD, Fla. –  Russell Sage College utilized a pair of four-run innings to defeat Cazenovia 8-4 this morning at Sanford Stadium.

RSC got on the board with a four-run second.  Sophomore catcher Cole Paro (Wolfeboro, NH/Kingswood Regional) laced an RBI single and sophomore infielder Frank Colletta (Holtsville, NY/St. John the Baptist) lofted a sac fly to account for two of the markers.

After the Wildcats scored a run in the second, third, and fourth innings to get within one, the Gators obtained some breathing room with another four-run rally in the sixth.  Senior outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), who took home Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week honors earlier this spring, had the big hit of the frame, an RBI double. He finished the day 3-for-5 at the plate.

Sophomore outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and Colletta each recorded a pair of hits and an RBI in the win.

On the mound, sophomore Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) allowed just three runs and struck out four across 5.1 innings to take the victory (1-2). From there, sophomore relievers Colby Phelps (Troy, NY/Tamarac) and Michael Karpinski (Ballston Spa, NY/Saratoga Springs) combined to permit just two hits and two walks to lock down the first RSC win of the spring.

Senior infielder Jack Lees provided Cazenovia (4-5) with three hits. 

Up next for the Gators (1-7) is a doubleheader tomorrow morning vs. Wentworth Institute of Technology. The pair of seven-inning games are set to begin at 10:00 am. 

Notes: A pair from RSC earned Empire 8 Conference weekly honors on Feb. 27...Lubanski was selected the Player of the Week, while Doyle was named the Pitcher of the Week…2023 marks the second season for the program…The Gators reached the semifinals of the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament in their inaugural spring…22 players returned to the squad…Doyle, sophomore infielder Andrew Knapp (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet), and sophomore outfielder Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) highlighted the group of returning players. 

Save the Date: The 18th Annual Gator Golf Classic will be held on Friday, June 2 at Colonie Golf and Country Club. 

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