HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Russell Sage College baseball continued their hot conference start on Saturday, picking up their eighth Empire 8 victory with an 11-0 win over Alfred.
Xavier Garcia (Greenfield Center, NY/Saratoga Springs/SUNY Adirondack) contributed another strong start, striking out twelve Saxons over seven innings of one-hit, scoreless ball. The junior has struck out 43 batters across his last three starts.
Garcia's start was followed by a strong five up, five down performance by junior Richie Tamsett (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie/HVCC) before freshman Sam Rigolino (Milbrook, NY/Stissing Mountain) wrapped up the victory with a punchout in his first collegiate appearance.
The Russell Sage offense brought plenty of support, racking up 15 hits in the eleven-run showing. Four Gators tallied two or more hits in the victory. Senior Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) led the way with a three-hit, four-RBI day. Senior Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) drove in a pair of runs on three hits, while senior Zachary Figueras (Apopka, FL/Windermere) also had three hits and a run batted in. Junior Anthony Rizzo (Latham, NY/Shaker/HVCC) also had a multi-hit day, driving in two runs on his two hits.
RSC took advantage on the basepaths as well in their eighth straight victory, stealing seven bags, including a pair for each of seniors Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) and Nick Marsella (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park Memorial).
The Gators wrap up their series with Alfred with a doubleheader against the Saxons on Sunday.
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.
