STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Russell Sage College baseball opened their season with a trip to Staten Island, where they hit their way to a 12-2 victory over NYU on Saturday afternoon.
The Gators (1-0) scored six runs in the second inning and never looked back in the opening day victory. Eight of RSC's starters found their way into the hit column, including three multi-hit performances.
Senior outfielder Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) drove in three runs on three hits including a double, while outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student, ripped two doubles and drove in two runs.
Junior catcher Colin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose) tallied two hits, one of those an RBI-double in his first contest as a Gator. Senior infielder Jeff Stearns (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union) also joined the party with a run-producing double of his own.
Senior infielder Dom Caminitti (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) scored a Gator-high three runs on three hit-by-pitches, improving his program standard.
NYU (2-2) had three register multi-hit games in the loss.
"It was a great win, each guy individually was ready to compete and do whatever was needed for the team," shared Head Coach Nick Pontari following the opening day victory. "We're now focused on getting ready for a competitive practice on Tuesday."
Looking ahead, RSC travels to Florida for spring break, kicking off ten games in nine days with a double header against Chatham on March 8.
Gator Bites with Papa John's: RSC looks to build upon the most successful season in program history in 2025…Coming off a 16-2 record in Empire 8 Conference play and a regular season championship, the Gators return 25 players to go along with 18 newcomers…Graduate outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), senior infielder Jeff Stearns (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union), graduate pitcher Joe Degroot (Clay, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), and senior pitcher/outfielder Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) highlight the returners…Lubanski, Stearns, and Grimes made first team All-E8 conference, while Degroot found himself on the second team…Four others earned all-conference honors in 2024, including senior outfielder Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) and senior catcher Cole Paro (Wolfeboro NH/Kingswood Regional), who were both named third team All-E8… Junior infielder Anthony Rizzo (Latham, NY/Shaker/HVCC), junior catcher Colin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose), and graduate pitcher Freddie Callo (Milton, NY/Marlboro/Utica) headline the newcomers Head Coach Nick Pontari brought in…Pontari and his staff were named E8 Coaching Staff of the Year in 2024.
