Troy, NY – Russell Sage College's baseball team held their home opener on Friday as they hosted the Cardinals of St. John Fisher University. The Cardinals belted out 18 hits and scored 22 runs to post the Empire 8 win. Now 12-10 overall, SJFU is 7-0 in the Empire 8, while the loss puts RSC at 10-14 overall and 4-3 in the league.

SJFU's first baseman Brian Norsen had a banner afternoon as he drove in seven runs and was 4-5 at the plate with three homeruns to pace the Cardinal offense.

For the Gators, sophomore Dom Caminitti (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) was 1 for 4 with a pair of RBI's, while sophomore catcher Cole Paro (Wolfeboro, NH/Kingswood Regional) was 1 for 2 with a run scored.

Sophomore pitcher Michael Karpinski (Ballston Spa, NY/Saratoga Springs) took the loss (2-1) after working 1.1 innings with seven runs allowed off four hits with a walk and a strikeout. Senior Will Simkin (Canberra, Australia/Canbera Grammar) threw 3.2 innings and gave up just one run off four hits with two walks and a strikeout.

SJFU's Benjamin Huckans (2-0) collected the win after five strong innings with just two earned runs off two RSC hits with two strikeouts and three walks. He leads the Cardinals with his 20 strikeouts this spring.

RSC takes on SJFU on Saturday with an Empire 8 doubleheader commencing at 11 a.m. at the University at Albany baseball field.

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