HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Russell Sage College baseball completed their weekend sweep over Alfred with a pair of wins on Sunday, taking the first game 10-4 before winning the nightcap 9-0.

The Gators (16-7, 10-0 E8) scored in nine of the 16 innings to propel them to their ninth and tenth consecutive victories. 

Game one was square at two heading into the top of the sixth inning, before RSC exploded for eight runs over their next two trips to the plate. 

Senior Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) drove in three runs in his three-hit game one performance, while junior catcher Colin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose) and senior Leandro Guzman (New Britain, CT/New Britain) contributed two RBIs apiece. Seniors Jorge Oropeza (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena High School) and Zachary Figueras (Apopka, FL/Windermere) tallied a pair of hits in the victory. 

Graduate student Joe Degroot (Clay, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) continued his efficiency, throwing seven innings, the fifth straight start that he has gone at least six innings, on his way to his fourth pitching victory of the season.

In the second game, Liam Doyle (West Sayville, NY/Connetquot) contributed a fantastic start, striking out eight Saxons in seven innings of shutout ball. The senior walked just one on the way to his third victory of the season. 

Graduate student Devin Campbell (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland/SUNY Oswego) and junior Mark Yorio (Carmel, NY/Carmel/Lycoming/Westchester CC) each registered scoreless innings in relief of Doyle to help the Gators pick up their tenth conference win of the season. 

Junior infielder Anthony Rizzo (Latham, NY/Shaker/HVCC) shined offensively with four hits, a pair of runs, and a RBI. Figueras, Oropeza, Guzman, and Grimes all tallied a pair of hits in the win, while James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), a grad student, drove in four of the Gators' nine runs. 

"Our guys did a great job this weekend stepping up when they needed to," said Head Coach Nick Pontari following the pair of victories. "It was a complete team win each game, we're excited for this week of games coming up!"

Looking ahead, RSC is back in action on Wednesday as they play host to Utica. 

Gator Bites with Papa John's: RSC looks to build upon the most successful season in program history in 2025…Coming off a 16-2 record in Empire 8 Conference play and a regular season championship, the Gators return 25 players to go along with 18 newcomers…Graduate outfielder James Lubanski (Port Washington, NY/Paul D. Schreiber), senior infielder Jeff Stearns (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union), graduate pitcher Joe Degroot (Clay, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), and senior pitcher/outfielder Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) highlight the returners…Lubanski, Stearns, and Grimes made first team All-E8 conference, while Degroot found himself on the second team…Four others earned all-conference honors in 2024, including senior outfielder Jared Russell (Colonie, NY/Colonie) and senior catcher Cole Paro (Wolfeboro NH/Kingswood Regional), who were both named third team All-E8… Junior infielder Anthony Rizzo (Latham, NY/Shaker/HVCC), junior catcher Colin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose), and graduate pitcher Freddie Callo (Milton, NY/Marlboro/Utica) headline the newcomers Head Coach Nick Pontari brought in…Pontari and his staff were named E8 Coaching Staff of the Year in 2024.