Hilton, NY–Russell Sage College's softball team had two players selected for the 2021 Empire 8 Softball All-Tournament Team. Junior pitcher/first baseman Taylor Dicranian (Bennington, VT/Mt. Anthony Union) and junior outfielder Arianna Papas (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) were both recognized for their play during the course of the tournament.

RSC wrapped their tremendous season with a record of 17-6. Along the way, the team strung together an eight-game win streak, while three players earned Empire 8 First Team All-Conference citations, and the Gators also had three players honored with weekly awards from the Empire 8. Additionally, Papas and Dicranian were both named to the 2021 NFCA All-Region teams as Papas was a first-team selection and Dicranian earned a spot on the second team.

On the season, Papas finished the year with a team-leading 45 hits, .523 batting average, with three homeruns and three triples. A 23-game starter, her 2021 numbers place her 19^th in single-season hits, 23^rd with 10 doubles, 16^th in triples, 12^th in runs scored (33), while her .523 batting average ranks second in the Gator record book.  In the team's three Empire 8 tournament games, Papas batted .375 with a .875 slugging percentage having added two doubles, a triple and was perfect defensively in the outfield.

Dicranian worked both in the circle and at the plate this spring, excelling in both areas. She ranks second all-time in single-season victories (15), while having worked 115.1 innings (14^th best), 15^th in appearances (22), with a 3.76 ERA that also ranks 22^nd best. At the plate, she batted .494 with 41 hits, a team-best 13 doubles and added 20 RBI's.  The 41 hits ranks 28^th best in single-season performances, while her 13 doubles is 10^th best. On her career, she has tallied 19 career doubles already and is 13^th best on the career record book. She has now appeared in 43 games, which ranks 13^th best, while adding work in 180.0 innings which is 16^th best. She is also 10^th with 16 career victories.

Dicranian, who saw time at both first base and pitching had a .222 batting average with two doubles, a .444 slugging percentage with a .900 fielding percentage and worked in 11.1 innings with a complete game as well.  

All told, the Gators combined for a .331 batting average with 50 doubles, 11 homeruns, and 65 extra-base hits under the guidance of head coach Erica Li. The team's 2021 numbers rank sixth in wins (17), fifth in team batting average, eighth in doubles, while their 8-game win streak mid-season also ranks fourth best in longest win streaks.

2021 Empire 8 Softball Championship All-Tournament Team

Alyssa Guitron, Jr., OF, Alfred

Tatiana Mejia, Jr., 3B, Alfred

Mara Moore, Jr., C, Alfred

Jessica Wilcox, Gr., P, Alfred *

Taylor Dicranian, Jr., P/1B, Russell Sage

Ariana Papas, Jr., OF, Russell Sage

Sammie Torlish, Sr., SS, St. John Fisher

Allie Klonowski, So., OF, St. John Fisher

Emily Trotman, Sr., P/3B, St. John Fisher

Sara Stransky, Sr., 3B, Utica

* Named Most Outstanding Player