Albany, NY – Russell Sage College's baseball team hosted the Cardinals of St. John Fisher University in an Empire 8 doubleheader on Saturday at the University at Albany's Baseball Complex. The Cardinals took the first game in seven innings, 7-3 and the nightcap in eight innings, 15-3. St. John Fisher University is now 9-0 in the Empire 8 and 14-10 overall, while RSC moves to 4-5 in the league and 10-16 overall.
In the first game, RSC jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as senior James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber) doubled to left field before sophomore Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) had a single down the left field line to spot RSC to a 1-0 lead.
SJFU took a 3-1 lead after plating three runs in the top of the third and two runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
RSC made a rally in the bottom of the seventh as with one out, sophomore outfielder Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) drew a walk. Rookie Carter Albano (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) singled up the middle to move over Guzman. The Gator baserunners moved up on a wild pitch before senior Alex Andrew (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber) had a pinch hit sacrifice fly to center field to drive in Guzman. Sophomore Jacob Coonan (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) singled up the middle and advanced on the throw allowing Albano to score. Dom Caminitti (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) flew out to center field to cut the Gator comeback short.
Left handed pitcher sophomore Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) worked three innings, allowing five hits with three earned runs, three walks and four strikeouts along the way to drop to 3-4. Sophomore Jaylen Cuevas (Bronx, NY/Fordham Prep) allowed just four hits in his four innings of relief with two earned runs m three walks and three strikeouts.
SJFU's Patrick McGuire (3-0) worked the complete game, allowing three earned runs off of six hits with a walk and fanned 10 along the way.
In the second game, Espinal drove in two runs for the Gators and was 2 for 4 at the plate, while sophomore Frank Colletta (Holtsville, NY/St. John The Baptist) was also 2 for 4 with the Gators' other RBI.
On the mound, leftie and graduate player Matthew Denatale (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck) worked three innings, allowing seven earned runs off 10 hits with four strikeouts and a pair of walks. He falls to 2-2 for the Gators. Graduate player Cameron Anderson (Clifton Park, NY/Burnt Hills) and senior Sean Berry (Tivoli, NY/Red Hook) each worked in relief for RSC.
RSC takes on Brockport State on Wednesday, April 12 at 3p.m. in a non-conference game at the University at Albany baseball field as RSC's head coach Nick Pontari takes on his alma mater.
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