ALBANY, N.Y. – After a weekend full of bad weather, Russell Sage College baseball finished their Empire 8 conference series against Keuka by sweeping a doubleheader on Monday, taking the seven-inning first game 10-2 and the nightcap by a score of 8-4.
Game one was headlined by another strong start from graduate student Joe Degroot (Clay, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), who allowed just two runs in his complete-game victory.
The strong pitching performance was backed by a big offensive day for the Gators, who followed two first-inning runs from Keuka with ten unanswered to secure their sixth conference victory of the season.
Senior Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) drove in three runs on a pair of hits including a double, while senior Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) added a double of his own bringing in two of the Gators ten runs.
Game two held a similar storyline, as the Wolves (9-13/3-8 E8) struck first with a run in the top of the first inning, before RSC tallied seven in their first two trips to the plate.
The offense backed up yet another strong starting pitcher performance, as senior Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) twirled six innings of two run ball while punching out five to record his second victory of the year.
Russell added two more RBI's to his Monday total with a two-run single in the second, while junior Colin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose) and senior Nick Marsella (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park Memorial) each had run-producing extra-base hits in the victory.
"The team did a great job handling adverse weather conditions today and competed to the best of their abilities," shared Head Coach Nick Pontari after the doubleheader sweep. "We're excited to get back to work for more conference baseball this week."
RSC returns to action on Wednesday with a 4:00 start at SUNY Poly.
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) who was 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.
