WINTER HAVEN, Fla. –  Russell Sage College started its season by defeating Chatham 10-1 (5 innings) on Friday in Florida.

RSC scored all ten of its runs in the fourth inning of the win.  Junior designated player Amelia Wasilko (Poughkeepsie, NY/Roy C. Ketcham) cleared the fence to highlight the rally. Wasilko went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI, while outfielder Arianna Papas (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill), a graduate student, the reigning Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year, was 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored.

The Gators wrapped up their afternoon with an 11-4 loss to Alma.

RSC got out to a 4-0 lead after 2.5 innings. Junior infielder Aly Murphy (Gill, MA/Turners Falls) plated two with a pinch-hit single, while freshman infielder Amber Banas (Saugerties, NY/Saugerties) and sophomore pitcher/infielder Emma Anderson (Tolland, CT/Tolland) accounted for the other Gator runs with RBI singles.

The Fighting Scots (5-4) answered with a five-run bottom half to take the lead, part of Alma scoring the final 11 runs of the contest.

Looking ahead, the Gators (1-1) are scheduled to face Wheaton and Allegheny tomorrow afternoon.

Notes: RSC is looking to qualify for the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament for the third-straight spring…14 returnees combined with four newcomers to comprise this year's squad…Outfielder Arianna Papas (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill), a graduate student, the 2022 E8 Conference Player of the Year, and pitcher/infielder Taylor Dicranian (Bennington, VT/Mt. Anthony Union), a graduate student, and senior infielder Katelyn Rice (Albany, NY/Colonie Central) headlined the group of returning Gators…The trio each earned All-E8 honors last spring…Papas and Dicranian both have garnered NFCA All-Region accolades for the past two seasons…Sophomore catcher Serina Garmendiz (Hempstead, NC/Pine Bush), Papas, and Rice were voted co-captains.

Save the Date: The 18th Annual Gator Golf Classic will be held on Friday, June 2 at Colonie Golf and Country Club.

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