DAVENPORT, Fla. – Russell Sage College baseball scored eight runs in the second inning to defeat USJ 11-9 on Tuesday morning.
The Gators (4-3) plated eight runs in the second inning to give themselves a lead they would never look back from in the victory.
Pitcher and outfielder Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) got the start on the bump and in the five hole for RSC. The senior pitched six innings with five strikeouts in his first win of the season and tallied two hits with a run batted in at the plate.
Outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student, continued his hot start with the bat, registering four hits and scoring two runs. Senior infielder Jeff Stearns (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union) drove in three runs on two hits, while junior infielder Anthony Rizzo (Latham, NY/Shaker/HVCC) had two hits and scored a run.
Senior infielder Dom Caminitti (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) drove in a pair of runs while scoring two of his own out of the leadoff spot.
USJ (5-3) attempted a comeback in the ninth with three runs, but came up short, stranding a runner on base.
RSC is back in action on Thursday with a matchup against #2 Salve Regina.
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.
