ALBANY, N.Y. – On a day filled with postseason implications, Russell Sage College split this afternoon's Empire 8 Conference doubleheader vs. Elmira.
The Gators (13-25-1/9-11 E8) took the opener 9-1 (7 innings) before falling 15-14 in the second game.
RSC took control of the first game with five runs in the second. Freshman outfielder Jacob Coonan (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) and freshman infielder Frank Colletta (Holtsville, NY/St. John The Baptist) had RBI singles in the rally.
Freshman pitcher Griffin Snyder (Cheektowaga, NY/St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) made the early support stand up. The right-hander did not allow an earned run and struck out three in the complete game victory.
Coonan went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored, while Colletta went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Catcher Dillon Maxon (Troy, NY/Tamarac), a grad student, the lone honoree as part of the pre-game "Senior Day" ceremony, added two RBI and a run scored.
The Gators again started strong in the second game, batting around in a five-run first. Maxon and Colletta knocked in teammates with doubles as part of the outburst.
RSC added on with six more runs in the third. Freshman infielder Nick Marsella (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park Memorial), freshman infielder Zachary Figueras (Apopka, FL/Windermere), and freshman outfielder Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) laced ribbi singles in the frame.
Elmira (12-21-1/7-12-1 E8) looked to keep its playoff aspirations alive, getting three runs in the sixth. The Soaring Eagles added six runs in the seventh to make things interesting.
After RSC put across a run via a wild pitch in the bottom half, Elmira got within one with three eight-inning tallies. Down to their final out, the Soaring Eagles successfully completed the comeback attempt on a bases loaded single by catcher Jourdan Plaisted, a grad student. After not playing the opener, the backstop finished the road victory 5-for-5 with six RBI and two runs scored. Senior outfielder Colin McLaughlin also had six RBI for Elmira.
Coonan went 5-for-10 with five runs scored and four RBI across the split. Colletta went 4-for-9 with five RBI and three runs scored, while Maxon went 2-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored.
Today's results secured RSC the three seed in the E8 Championship Tournament. The Gators will play at Utica, seeded second, on Friday, and if necessary Saturday, in the best-of-three Semifinals. With its come-from-behind victory, Elmira earned the fourth and final spot in the Tournament and will face top-seeded St. John Fisher.
Notes: Maxon (above) closed the regular season strong...He hit .500 with five runs scored and six RBI across the final five contests.
Senior Day: Russell Sage College Athletics recognized Maxon before the twin-bill for his contributions to the baseball program.
Gator Golf Classic: The 17th annual Gator Golf Classic will be held on June 3rd at Colonie Country Club. Registration for the event is now open at: alumni.sage.edu/gatorgolf2022
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