AMSTERDAM, N.Y. – Russell Sage College baseball used an eight-run second inning to propel to the Sunday afternoon win over Elmira. The 20-6 victory finished off the weekend sweep of the Soaring Eagles and gave the Gators their ninth Empire 8 conference victory of the season, tying a program best.
First baseman Jeff Stearnes (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union) led the offensive charge for RSC. The Junior hit two homers, a double, drove in four runs and walked twice. Stearnes got on base and scored every time he found his way to the plate.
Outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student, also drove in four runs in his 3-4 day which included a double and two singles.
Junior outfielder Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) walked three times and scored two runs while stealing three bases. The three steals gave him 23 on the season and 35 on his career, both of which mark program bests for the Gators.
Junior outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and junior outfielder Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) each had two-hit, two-RBI performances in the victory.
Junior pitcher Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) did his job on the hill, punching out four Soaring Eagles in his five innings of work.
Elmira College (11-14, 7-8 E8) got a big chunk of their offense off the bat of their catcher Connor Stone, who went 3-3 including a three-run homer.
Looking ahead, RSC (16-12, 9-2 E8) is back in action on Wednesday as they head north to play Skidmore. First pitch scheduled for 3:30 PM.
Gator Bites: Now its third season as a program, RSC looks to continue to climb the Empire 8 Conference ladder in 2024…The Gators, which returned all 10 starters, were the runner-up in the 2023 E8 Championship Tournament…RSC got out to a 6-1 start in E8 play…Outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student, and junior pitcher Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) headlined the returnees…Lubanski was named third-team All-Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association, while Doyle, a righty, topped RSC in innings pitched and ERA last spring…Junior outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) was selected the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 10…He slashed .559/.941/.595 during the team's Florida trip…Espinal totaled 12 runs scored, 10 RBI, 32 bases, and six doubles across the nine games…Left-hander Matthew Denatale (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck), a grad student, took home E8 Pitcher of the Week for the period ending Sunday, April 14…The southpaw allowed just one earned run and four hits across 8.0 innings in the win at Utica on April 14.
Gator Golf: The 19th Annual Gator Golf Classic will be held May 31, 2024. More Information: https://www.
