WATERFORD, N.Y. – Down 8-6 with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Gators junior outfielder Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) ripped a game-tying triple to right center to tie the game, and scored on a throwing error on the same play as RSC baseball (10-9) walked off SUNY Poly on Saturday Afternoon. The 9-8 final included 25 hits and seven home runs between the two teams.
Five Gators hit solo homers in the victory. Junior infielder Dom Caminitti (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac), junior outfielder Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie), junior infielder Jeff Stearnes (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union), junior outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), junior catcher Cole Paro (Wolfeboro NH/Kingswood Regional) all found the parking lot beyond the left field fence.
Guzman and Paro each contributed three hit performances, while Espinal, Stearnes, and Russell had two hits a piece.
The Gators continued their high-powered offensive efforts, scoring nine or more runs for the fifth straight contest.
Sophomore Michael Fahey (Cornwall, NY/Cornwall) got the win on the bump, striking out three and only gave up three hits through four shutout innings.
SUNY Poly (8-11) saw big performances from Kurt Johnson, Ryan Pelton, and Parker Wing who all drove in two runs. Pelton and Johnson each hit big flys in the loss.
Aaron Kifer got the start for the Wildcats and struck out five over his six innings of work.
Looking ahead, RSC and SUNY Poly are back in action to wrap up their weekend series with a doubleheader on Sunday Afternoon.
Gator Bites: Now its third season as a program, RSC looks to continue to climb the Empire 8 Conference ladder in 2024…The Gators, which returned all 10 starters, were the runner-up in the 2023 E8 Championship Tournament…Outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student, and junior pitcher Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) headline the returnees…Lubanski was named third-team All-Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association, while Doyle, a righty, topped RSC in innings pitched and ERA last spring…Junior outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) was selected the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 10…He slashed .559/.941/.595 during the team's Florida trip…Espinal totaled 12 runs scored, 10 RBI, 32 bases, and six doubles across the nine games.
Gator Golf: The 19th Annual Gator Golf Classic will be held May 31, 2024. More Information: https://www.
