Gators Extend Win Streak to Five Straight
Russell Sage College baseball picked up its fifth straight win on Tuesday night as they defeated the Spartans of VTSU Castleton 13-7.
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College baseball picked up its fifth straight win on Tuesday night as they defeated the Spartans of VTSU Castleton 13-7.
The Gators (11-3) scored in the first five frames en route to the six-run victory.
Scoring started early, as senior Anthony Rizzo (Latham, NY/Shaker/HVCC) popped a solo homerun in the bottom of the first inning, giving RSC a lead that they would never relinquish.
Rizzo finished the contest with three hits, just a triple away from the cycle, two runs batted in, two runs scored, and a pair of stolen bases.
Two other Gators picked up a trio of knocks.
Senior Joseph Karpierz (Latham, NY/Shaker/Xavier) drove in two runs on three singles, while senior Collin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose) delivered one RBI on his three base hits.
Sophomore Darren Dengler (Hobart, NY/South Kortright) continued his strong hitting with runners in scoring position, driving in two on a single to right in the three-run third inning.
Junior Connor Griffin (Jersey Shore, PA/Jersey Shore/Lock Haven), who got the start for RSC and threw four innings without allowing an earned-run, hit two singles and scored two runs. Freshman Nick Irizarry (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) also had two hits and scored one run.
Senior Greg Mays (Troy, NY/Tamarac/SUNY Cortland) shined out of the bullpen, striking out a pair in 1.1 scoreless innings.
Russell Sage, who entered the contest ranked twelfth in the country in stolen bases per game, swiped six bags in the victory.
The Gators return to the diamond this weekend to kick off Empire 8 Conference play with a three-game series against Houghton.
Gator Bites with Papa John's: RSC is in its first season under the direction of Head Coach Matt Marsh…The Gators are coming off a 27-15 record and a trip to the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament Finals last year…19 returners combine with 18 newcomers on this year's squad…Senior pitcher/outfielder Evan Grimes (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa/SUNY Adirondack), senior catcher Colin Casey (Marlboro, NY/Marlboro/Saint Rose), and senior pitcher Xavier Garcia (San Diego, CA/Saratoga Springs/SUNY Adirondack) headline the returners…Grimes garnered a multitude of honors after last season, being named to the First-Team in the Empire 8 and Second-Team All-Region from the ACBA…Casey was named second-team All-Empire 8 for the 2025 campaign… Senior infielder Joseph Karpierz (Latham, NY/Shaker/Xavier), junior infielder Jayden Kennedy (East Patchogue, NY/Patchogue Medford/HVCC), and junior pitcher Tyler Murray (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia/HVCC) highlight the newcomers… Grimes was named the Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 1...The lefty registered an eleven strikeout performance across 5.2 innings in the 2-0 season-opening win vs. Mount Saint Vincent on February 28...The All-Region performer allowed just two hits and two walks to help the Gators begin their season in the win column...Karpierz was selected the Empire 8 Conference Baseball Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 15...The infielder batted .522 (12/23) with nine runs scored and 13 RBI across six games...Karpierz, who slugged .826, reached base at a 58.1 percent clip...He tallied five doubles and went 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts...Grimes was named the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 22...He hit .529 with nine RBI in the 4-0 week...The senior, who scored three runs and totaled 16 bases, slugged .941 and reached base at a .556 rate...Garcia was named the Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 22...The senior allowed three hits and zero earned runs to earn the win against Western New England on March 21.