CORTLAND, N.Y. – Russell Sage College erased a 10-2 deficit to defeat Utica 15-12 and earn a split of this afternoon's Empire 8 Conference doubleheader held at the Gutchess Athletic Complex, located in Cortland, N.Y.
Trailing 10-2 through three following a seven-run top of the third by the Pioneers, the Gators (7-9/1-2 E8) climbed back in the game with four runs in the fourth.
Sophomore infielder Andrew Knapp (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet) plated a pair with a double during the rally.
RSC took the lead with seven runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Senior outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), who got the Gators on the board with a two-run homer in the first, and sophomore infielder Frank Colletta (Holtsville, NY/St. John the Baptist) each laced two-run doubles to highlight the outburst.
Lubanski was 3-for-5 with four RBI and four runs scored, while sophomore outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) went 3-for-6 with three runs scored and an RBI.
Sophomore pitcher Michael Karpinski (Ballston Spa, NY/Saratoga Springs) allowed zero earned runs across the final 6.2 innings to garner the victory (W, 1-0).
Senior shortstop Brendan May doubled, tripled and knocked in five runs to pace the Utica offense in defeat.
The Pioneers (10-4/2-1 E8) got out to an 8-0 lead through three to take the seven-inning opener 11-6.
Senior outfielder John Son keyed Utica securing the E8 series win, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI.
Sophomore infielder Christian Brown (Troy, NY/Troy) went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI, while Espinal was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for RSC.
Up next on the docket for the Gators is a Wednesday afternoon doubleheader at Albertus Magnus.
Notes: Sophomore infielder Christian Brown (Troy, NY/Troy) slashed .529/.882/.600 across five games this week...He registered six RBI, four runs scored and three doubles during the 3-2 week...Sophomore pitcher Michael Karpinski (Ballston Spa, NY/Saratoga Springs) recorded a 1.23 ERA across three appearances totaling 7.1 innings...A pair from RSC earned Empire 8 Conference weekly honors on Feb. 27…Senior outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber) was selected the Player of the Week, while sophomore Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) was named the Pitcher of the Week…Sophomore infielder Frank Colletta (Holtsville, NY/St. John the Baptist) was chosen the E8 Player of the Week on March 6...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…Sophomore pitcher/infielder Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot), sophomore infielder Andrew Knapp (Nanuet, NY/Nanuet), and sophomore outfielder Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) highlighted the group of returning players.
Gator Golf Classic: Golfer Registration for the 18th Annual Gator Golf Classic, to be held on Friday, June 2 at Colonie Golf and Country Club, is now open.
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