DAVENPORT, Fla. – Russell Sage College Baseball began its spring break trip on Saturday by splitting a doubleheader against Chatham.
The Gators (2-1) started the day off with an 8-2 victory, headlined by a strong pitching performance from grad student Joe Degroot (Clay, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), who threw six scoreless frames and earned his first victory of the year in the first of the two seven-inning contests. Degroot struck out four and only walked one in the victory.
Six different RSC hitters found their way into the hit column, with senior infielder Dom Caminitti (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) and junior catcher Colin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro) each registering multi-hit performances. Junior infielder Anthony Rizzo (Latham, NY/Shaker/HVCC) and senior outfielder Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) each drove in two runs in the win.
Game two was a back and forth battle that had five lead changes in the first six innings, before the teams were square at five heading into the seventh. The next three frames stayed scoreless on both sides, before a drive over the right fielder's head ended the contest in a Chatham victory.
Senior infielder Jeff Stearns (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union) had two hits and scored three runs, one of those a solo shot over the left center field fence in the fourth inning.
Junior pitcher Aidan Green (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) was strong out of relief for Russell Sage, punching out three in 4.1 innings.
RSC returns to the diamond tomorrow for a split doubleheader against Immaculata and RIT.
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.
