HORSEHEADS, N.Y. – Russell Sage College opened its three-game Empire 8 Conference weekend series at Elmira by sweeping an afternoon doubleheader.
The Gators (9-11/3-2 E8) edged Elmira 2-1 in the seven-inning opener.
Both squads pitching staffs were up to task early, combining to permit just eight hits and tally 11 strikeouts. Sophomore pitcher Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) allowed one run and four hits and fanned six across 5.1 innings to get the win (3-3), while sophomore pitcher Jaylen Cuevas (Bronx, NY/Fordham Prep) tossed 1.2 shutout frames to earn the save (2).
Senior outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber) had the big hit of the pitchers' duel, an RBI double in the third to put RSC up 2-0. He went 2-for-3 in the opener and 3-for-7 with a run scored and an RBI on the day.
RSC blanked the Soaring Eagles (3-14/0-3 E8) 3-0 in the nine-inning contest that followed.
Sophomore outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), the reigning E8 Rookie of the Week, went 2-for-3 with two RBI to help the Gators complete the sweep.
On the mound, graduate students Matthew Denatale (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck) and Cameron Anderson (Clifton Park, NY/Burnt Hills) teamed up on the seven-hit shutout.
DeNatale (Win, 2-1) fanned four across seven innings, while Anderson (Save, 2) permitted just two hits during his two innings of relief.
The teams wrap up their weekend series tomorrow at 11:00 am.
Notes: 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... Sophomore outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) garnered E8 Rookie of the Week accolades on March 27…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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