SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College baseball was back in action on Sunday with a doubleheader against Union at Schenectady's Central Park "A" Diamond.
In game one, the Garnet Chargers used an eight run second inning to take down the Gators 14-0.
Two RSC hitters registered multi-hit games in the doubleheader opener. Junior infielder Anthony Rizzo (Latham, NY/Shaker/HVCC) tallied three singles, while junior catcher Colin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose) had two.
The nightcap was a battle, as the capital region rivals were square at 2 heading into the top of the seventh, before a RBI single from Sam Strazza produced the game-winning run.
Senior outfielder Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) registered a pair of hits in the effort, while senior outfielder Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) and outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student, drove in the two RSC runs.
Devin Campbell (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland/SUNY Oswego) contributed another strong performance on the mound, punching out four Garnet Chargers in his five innings of work.
Looking ahead, RSC has a long break before beginning conference play against Houghton on March 28.
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.
