ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College left-hander Matthew Denatale (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck), a grad student, was selected the Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Week for the period ending Sunday, April 14.

He helped the Gators (13-11/6-1 E8) complete the sweep of Sunday's E8 doubleheader at Utica, allowing just one run and four hits across eight innings of work. The southpaw whiffed five Pioneers during his start.

The squads are slated to wrap up their three-game series on Tuesday 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…RSC got out to a 6-1 start in E8 play…Outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student, and junior pitcher Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) headlined 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…Left-hander Matthew Denatale (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck), a grad student, took home E8 Pitcher of the Week for the period ending Sunday, April 14…The southpaw allowed just one earned run and four hits across 8.0 innings in the win at Utica on April 14.

Gator Golf: The 19th Annual Gator Golf Classic will be held May 31, 2024. More Information: https://www.sagegators.com/information/Gator_Golf_Classic