AMSTERDAM, N.Y. – Russell Sage College swept an Empire 8 conference doubleheader with Elmira on Saturday afternoon, taking the first contest 7-4 and the second 15-8.
The Gators started from behind in game one, as Nathan Ofalt's third inning three-run blast gave the Soaring Eagles a 4-1 lead. The Gators followed up in the next two frames, putting up three-spots in both to back up a strong performance from Joe Degroot (Clay, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), a grad student, on the mound.
Degroot punched out four in his seven-innings complete game, securing his fifth victory in as many decisions.
Three batters contributed multi-hit performances in the victory.
Junior infielder Dom Caminitti (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac), junior outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), and junior outfielder Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) each had two singles. The trio combined for three runs scored, two runs batted in, and six stolen bases.
Junior outfielder Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) continued to swing a hot stick, ripping a two-RBI single in the 5th inning. Junior catcher Cole Paro (Wolfeboro NH/Kingswood Regional) drove in two runs on a sacrifice fly and a single.
Elmira College (11-13, 7-7 E8) scored first once again in game two with one in the top of the first, before the Gators pounced in the bottom half putting up a six spot thanks to RBI singles from Grimes, junior infielder Jeff Stearnes (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union), and junior infielder Nick Marsella (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park Memorial), an RBI groundout from Paro, and 2-run scoring reach-on-error off the bat of junior infielder Zachary Figueras (Apopka, FL/Windermere).
The Gators didn't look back, outscoring Elmira 10-7 over the rest of the contest to complete the doubleheader sweep.
Espinal had three hits and scored three runs, while outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student went 1-1 with four walks, three runs batted in, and two runs scored. Stearnes finished his game going 2-4 driving in three runs.
The Soaring Eagles hit their second homer of the afternoon in the fourth, a two-run blast off the bat of Erik Charnetski. The senior added another two-run bomb later in the game finishing the nightcap going 3-4 with five runs driven in.
Looking ahead, RSC (15-12, 8-2 E8) wraps up the three game set with Elmira tomorrow with a 12:00 PM first pitch.
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.
