KEUKA PARK, N.Y. – Russell Sage College baseball continued to hit on Sunday against Keuka, as they scored 11 runs on the way to an Empire 8 series sweep. RSC scored a total of 47 runs over the three-game set with the Wolves. Four Gators contributed multiple hits, and the top six batters in the order all registered at least one hit and at least one run scored.
The Gators (20-13, 13-2 E8) scored nine runs in the eighth inning to secure the victory. Nine straight Gators reached base in the frame, highlighted by a two-RBI single by junior infielder Zachary Figueras (Apopka, FL/Windermere), a two-run triple by Junior infielder Dom Caminitti (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac), and a two-run homer off the bat of the scorching hot junior outfielder Brendan Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa). Caminitti also added a single and two runs scored to his statline.
Infielder Jeff Stearnes (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union), who had seven hits and nine runs-batted-in throughout Saturday's twin-bill, went 2-4 with two RBIs in Sunday's action. The junior ripped a two-run double in the seventh inning, sparking the offense that was scoreless up until that point.
Junior pitcher/outfielder Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and junior outfielder Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) each tallied two base hits and scored a run each in the victory while outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student and junior catcher Cole Paro (Wolfeboro NH/Kingswood Regional) each hit base knocks.
Matthew Denatale (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck), kept the fantastic work on the mound from Saturday's doubleheader going with a strong performance of his own. The graduate student punched out four Wolves in his eight innings of work, good for his fourth pitching victory of the season. Sophomore pitcher Nolan Sniffen (Ossining, NY/Ossining) finished off the Gators' seventh straight Empire 8 conference victory with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, punching out one on the way.
RSC Head Coach Nick Pontari has loved what he's seen so far this year, but knows there is plenty left to accomplish before the Empire 8 conference tournament arrives.
Keuka College (8-24, 5-10 E8) got their three runs off the bat of Brady Booher, who hit a three run homer in the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie.
Looking ahead, RSC is scheduled to head to Schenectady for a 7 PM start against Union on Wednesday.
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. Junior outfielder Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) set the single season and career standard in stolen bases in 2024 while Lubanski broke both the single season and career standards in runs batted in.
Gator Golf: The 19th Annual Gator Golf Classic will be held May 31, 2024. More Information: https://www.
