Auburn, NY---Russell Sage College's baseball team traveled to Falcon Field in Auburn to take on the Hawks of Hilbert College in a pair of seven inning non-conference games. Hilbert took the first game, 8-4, but the Gators had a strong second game and held on for an 8-5 victory in the nightcap. RSC is now 3-11 on the year, while Hilbert stands at 5-10.
In the first game, there were three lead changes before the Hawks added four runs in the bottom of the second inning and took a 5-3 lead which they did not yield.
Rookie outfielder Diego Jimenez (Monroe, NY/Monroe Woodbury) was 2 for 3 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI. He had an RBI triple in the top of the second innings to cap a three run inning and gave the Gators a 3-1 lead heading to the bottom of the inning.
Sage's freshman outfielder Jacob Coonan (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) was also 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI for the Gators. Freshman Frank Colletta (Holtsville, NY/St. John the Baptist) had an RBI, while rookie outfielder Zachary Figueras (Aopoka, FL/Windermere) and sophomore Alex Andrew (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber) both collected doubles for Sage.
Right handed rookie pitcher Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) suffered the loss after six innings of work with two earned runs off seven hits with six strikeouts and three walks. He drops to 0-1 on the year.
In the nightcap, RSC's rookie Christian Brown (Troy, NY/Troy) had a big game as he drove in four runs having connected for both a double and a home run. He went deep in the second inning to tie the game (1-1) collecting his team-leading third home run of the year. His double was a three RBI shot to left field to put the Gators ahead 6-2.
Figueras was 2 for 3 with a pair of runs scored in the action.
On the mound, right handed graduate pitcher Cameron Anderson (Clifton Park, NY/Burnt Hills) work four innings, allowing two earned runs off two hits with five strikeouts and just three walks. Rookie Jaylen Cuevas (Bronx, NY/Fordham Prep) worked one plus inning with a pair of earned runs off two hits with a walk and strikeout in earning the win, putting him at 1-1 this season. In the sixth inning, right handed reliever Griffin Snyder (Cheektowaga, NY/St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) got the Gators out of a jam. He was able to get the save after with bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, he was able to hold the Hawks in check, allowing just one run and with bases loaded, get Nate Sanderson to fly out to center field to preserve the win.
Looking ahead, the Gators are scheduled to play a pair of games against MCLA on Saturday, March 26 in the team's home opener. RSC will host the Trailblazers at Joe Bruno Stadium. First pitcher is set for noon in the non-league doubleheader. RSC's President will throw out a ceremonial first pitch at 11:50 a.m. on Saturday in conjunction with the first-ever home Sage baseball games.
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